"Why are you scared to dream of god when it's salvation that you want?"

The quote "Why are you scared to dream of god when it's redemption that you desire?" by Conor Oberst invites deep reflection on the paradoxical nature of faith, fear, and desire for redemption. At its core, the quote challenges the listener to take a look at the contradictions inherent in their spiritual or existential journey.

The phrase begins by questioning the fear related to imagining God. Imagining God might represent aiming toward magnificent ideals or imagining a closer relationship with the divine. It stimulates the principle of spiritual imagination, where one's dreams and aspirations are not merely restricted to worldly success but extend into a world of higher significance and function. The fear mentioned here might come from numerous sources: fear of the unknown, worry of stopping working to measure up to divine expectations, or worry of challenging one's own constraints and vulnerabilities due to a higher power.

The 2nd part of the quote, "when it's salvation that you want", highlights the ultimate desire for redemption, peace, or fulfillment. Salvation typically describes deliverance from sin and its repercussions or, more broadly, the achievement of a state of grace or knowledge. This part of the quote suggests a tension in between one's aspirations for spiritual redemption and the apprehension that might prevent taking the actions toward it.

The juxtaposition of worry and the desire for redemption in this quote raises profound concerns about the nature of faith. It suggests that individuals often desire redemption but are reluctant to completely check out or embrace the divine or spiritual visions that might lead them there. This may point to a wider human condition where worry avoids individuals from pursuing their inmost desires or confronting truths that might cause meaningful change.

In essence, Oberst's quote encourages a self-exploration of the barriers in between individual fears and the longing for a transcendent connection or peace, sparking reflection about the nerve required to bridge that space.