--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Bad Religion's tradition has always been…" description: "\"Bad Religion's tradition has always been to try and provoke people but hopefully lead them to a better sense of who they are and what they stand for. T..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d87/greg-graffin-4107_always_bad-religion-s-tradition-has-always-been_337042.jpg" --- # Bad Religion's tradition has always been to try and… ![“Bad Religion's tradition has always been to try and provoke people but hopefully lead them to a better sense of who they are and what they stand for. That's supposed to make them feel better.” quote by Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d87/greg-graffin-4107_always_bad-religion-s-tradition-has-always-been_337042.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d87/greg-graffin-4107_always_bad-religion-s-tradition-has-always-been_337042.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d87/greg-graffin-4107_always_bad-religion-s-tradition-has-always-been_337042.jpg) > “Bad Religion's tradition has always been to try and provoke people but hopefully lead them to a better sense of who they are and what they stand for. That's supposed to make them feel better.” [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The band aims to challenge listeners, prompting self‑reflection and personal growth. **In simple terms:** Provoking thought leads to self‑knowledge. Key Takeaway Embrace discomfort to discover true values. Themes self‑reflection provocation growth Mood thoughtful inspiring Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - listening to lyrics - debates - personal journaling Key Concepts identity psychology music activism Questions to Reflect On - How does discomfort foster insight? - What values emerge when provoked? A Different Perspective May alienate some who resist challenge. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/) ## Related quotes > [“Be a provocateur! Provoke people to think! Provoke sleepers to awake! Provoke slaves to revolt against their masters! Provoke everyone to gain control over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/be-a-provocateur-provoke-people-to-think-provoke-sleepers-to-awake/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I want to provoke people with thoughts, not by taking my clothes off. It's time to move on from Stripperville.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-and-the-diamonds/i-want-to-provoke-people-with-thoughts-not-by-taking-my-clothes-off/) [Marina and the Diamonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-and-the-diamonds/) > [I think it's cool to provoke something in people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-saylor/i-think-it-s-cool-to-provoke-something-in-people/) [Morgan Saylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-saylor/) > [Whether or not punk is the flavor of the month is not important for us. Bad Religion has been popular through many different climates.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/whether-or-not-punk-is-the-flavor-of-the-month-is-not-important-for/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [The vocal arrangements are a big part of the formula for a Bad Religion song - layered harmonies and background vocals. So when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/the-vocal-arrangements-are-a-big-part-of-the-formula-for-a-bad/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Bad Religion took a long time to develop into gold-record-status artists. Along the way we learned and applied our knowledge, and Atlantic helped us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/bad-religion-took-a-long-time-to-develop-into-gold-record-status/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [One of our great thematic traditions in Bad Religion has been to question human nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/one-of-our-great-thematic-traditions-in-bad-religion-has-been-to/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I was in a choir as a kid. It was from those early days that my outlook on harmonies and arrangements were nurtured. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-was-in-a-choir-as-a-kid-it-was-from-those-early-days-that-my/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Let's face it: There are people who are extremists in every corner of society, and whatever flag they're waving is something Bad Religion has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/let-s-face-it-there-are-people-who-are-extremists-in-every-corner-of/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Folk music usually has an emphasis on the lyrics and melody. And those lyrics are usually relevant in some way. And it's populist in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/folk-music-usually-has-an-emphasis-on-the-lyrics-and-melody-and-those/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I struggled to keep one foot in music and one in academia. I had worked on my Ph.D. for three years full time before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-struggled-to-keep-one-foot-in-music-and-one-in-academia-i-had/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I've written almost 200 songs with Bad Religion. No matter where you look in our history, the focus has been trying to instill some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-ve-written-almost-200-songs-with-bad-religion-no-matter-where-you/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Bad Religion has never been about criticizing people who are Christian. But we've always been about pointing out the irony and contradictions in Christian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/bad-religion-has-never-been-about-criticizing-people-who-are/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [You can look at Bad Religion, and, really, almost everything I've ever done was an exercise in creativity. I've always had a desire to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/you-can-look-at-bad-religion-and-really-almost-everything-i-ve-ever/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [The novel tradition is the closest thing I have to a religion, and being a part of that tradition means a lot to me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elif-batuman/the-novel-tradition-is-the-closest-thing-i-have-to-a-religion-and/) [Elif Batuman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elif-batuman/) ## More by Greg Graffin > [“Anarchy Evolution: Faith, Science and Bad Religion in a World Without God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/anarchy-evolution-faith-science-and-bad-religion-in-a-world-without/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [It's my firm conclusion that human meaning comes from humans, not from a supernatural source. After we die, our hopes for an afterlife reside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/it-s-my-firm-conclusion-that-human-meaning-comes-from-humans-not-from/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Here's the thing, who cares what you have to look at, I'm a big advocate of not obscuring vistas, but even if you build…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/here-s-the-thing-who-cares-what-you-have-to-look-at-i-m-a-big/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [You can't let your personal disposition be dictated by the world around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/you-can-t-let-your-personal-disposition-be-dictated-by-the-world/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Life is never static. Despite catastrophic tragedies, life has persisted in evolving new varieties of unimaginable forms. I find comfort in the narrative of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/life-is-never-static-despite-catastrophic-tragedies-life-has/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [People need to understand the basics of evolution if they are going to reject it—otherwise, they are not contributing anything productive to modern society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/people-need-to-understand-the-basics-of-evolution-if-they-are-going/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [We should enjoy and make the most of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/we-should-enjoy-and-make-the-most-of-life/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I bill myself as a naturalist because if you say you're a naturalist, it gives people a conversation point to talk about what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-bill-myself-as-a-naturalist-because-if-you-say-you-re-a-naturalist/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [So much of the habitat destruction and pollution is based on the simple principle that we somehow have been given free license over other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/so-much-of-the-habitat-destruction-and-pollution-is-based-on-the/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [The trick is: how do you talk about natural selection without implying the rigidity of law? We use it as almost an active participant,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/the-trick-is-how-do-you-talk-about-natural-selection-without-implying/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I guess rock stars are role models for the kids who listen to that music. My role models have all been geologists - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-guess-rock-stars-are-role-models-for-the-kids-who-listen-to-that/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I don't mind if other people call me an atheist, but I call myself a naturalist. Atheism doesn't tell you much about what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-don-t-mind-if-other-people-call-me-an-atheist-but-i-call-myself-a/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I view music as entertainment. When I'm on stage, I don't look at that as a platform for sharing ideology. Otherwise I'd be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-view-music-as-entertainment-when-i-m-on-stage-i-don-t-look-at-that/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Whether or not punk is the flavor of the month is not important for us. Bad Religion has been popular through many different climates.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/whether-or-not-punk-is-the-flavor-of-the-month-is-not-important-for/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I would say there's a lot of similarity between folk and punk. It's written for the common man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-would-say-there-s-a-lot-of-similarity-between-folk-and-punk-it-s/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) [Explore all 116 Greg Graffin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Bad Religion's tradition has always been to try and provoke people but hopefully lead them to a better sense of who they are and what they stand for. 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