As tributes continue to pour in for the late Ozzy Osbourne, one of the most unexpected came from Michael Sweet of the Christian rock band Stryper. In a heartfelt post on Facebook, Sweet suggested that Ozzy may have held Christian beliefs, pointing to the lyrics of Black Sabbath’s “After Forever” as possible evidence.
“I Believe He Believed”: Michael Sweet’s Tribute
Michael Sweet’s message was simple but striking:
“Many thoughts and prayers to the Osbourne Family,” Sweet wrote. “He sang these lyrics [of ‘After Forever’] on the ‘Master of Reality’ album. I believe he believed. God bless you Ozzy….”
The tribute sparked immediate conversation, with fans and critics alike debating Ozzy Osbourne’s religious beliefs, a topic long discussed but never confirmed by the metal legend himself.
Fan Reactions: A Mix of Support and Skepticism
In the comments under Sweet’s post, fans offered a range of opinions — from agreement to doubt.
One fan echoed Sweet’s sentiment:
“I believe so, too, Michael. He kept saying ‘May God bless you all’ to everyone at the farewell concert. I think he believed and he knew how short his time left was.”
Others, however, were more skeptical:
“Let’s be honest here, Ozzy led a life praising evil and the devil, after all that that’s what he’s known for in his music,” a fan argued. “Let’s just pray that the man repented and accepted Jesus before he died.”
Another added:
“I see no evidence that he repented and believed upon Christ, but I seriously hope he did. I truly do.”
The Religious Message of ‘After Forever’
Released in 1971 on the Master of Reality album, “After Forever” is often cited as a Christian-themed metal song—a rare anomaly in Sabbath’s catalog. Lines like “Would you like to see the Pope on the end of a rope? Do you think he’s a fool?” have long been interpreted as satire aimed at atheists, not religion itself.
Some music historians have argued that bassist Geezer Butler, who wrote the lyrics, was expressing his own Catholic upbringing. But since Ozzy delivered the vocals, the connection between singer and message continues to be a source of speculation.
