Since their origins in the 1980s, the music and lyrics of U2 have presented a unique convergence of social justice, rock music, and religious profundity. The group has been prominent in concert venues and more recently on the world stage. But their presence in houses of worship has been conspicuously non-existent.

Brent Barry and Shane Whisler have put U2 at the center of a discussion group at Northridge Presbyterian Church. And they have also taken the discussion back into a secular environment with U2/OnTap, held at Bailey's 1st and 10 in the Hillside Village (northwest corner of Abrams and Mockingbird, near Eyemasters). The "churchy version" (to use Whisler and Barry's term), meets at 9:30a on Sundays. U2/OnTap (burgers and beer optional) is at 7:00p on Mondays. Each version is a six-week experience of "vertigo, spirituality or inspiration from U2's music, lyrics, and activism."

Biblical metaphors

"I've always liked U2's music," says Barry, who is the parish associate at Northridge. "When I was in seminary, I was reading biblical texts in class and listening to the music while I worked out. It dawned on me that U2's music was expressing deep meaning. I heard biblical metaphors everywhere."