The thrashin' of the Christ

Sects, hugs and rock 'n' roll forever!\nFormer Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch has traded in his groupies for Disciples. According to the band's Web site, he "has chosen the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and will be dedicating his musical pursuits to that end."\nHe's in good company. Legendarily decadent rock stars have been making the crossover to the cross for a long time; Prince and Al Green are standout examples. Years of living on the ass end of the morality spectrum often lead to such an about-face.\nBut Christian leaders have been expounding upon the evils of rock 'n' roll music for decades! How can these artists give up the blow and the backstage orgies without relinquishing the music as well?\nChristianity has infiltrated every musical genre that evangelists used to denounce, from metal to rap. Particularly puzzling is pseudo-Goth act Evanescence, who have been noted for their religious beliefs. It's hard to imagine a young Christian being influenced by the genre that brought us bands such as Christian Death.\nA recent www.cbsnews.com article featured a few words with Cameron Strang, the publisher of Christian music magazine Relevant. He said, "We still call it rock music. That's a style. I think the fact that there are Christian themes now emerging in rock, and that Christians are in rock is just representative of a spiritual desire or a spiritual hunger in our culture."\nThat hunger has created a $4 billion-per-year industry, according to the article. Holy crap!\nThat's because Christian music is becoming indistinguishable from mainstream pop. Conspicuously sacred performers like Carman the Champion have been muscled out by mohawked guys who could pass for members of Good Charlotte. Christian rock bands, particularly quasi-secular acts such as P.O.D., fit comfortably between Linkin Park and Slipknot on the T-shirt wall at Hot Topic.\nThe word "hypocrisy" springs to mind, doesn't it? Ten years ago, guys wearing eyebrow rings and black nail polish were being blamed by TV evangelists for sending America to hell in a handbasket. But now that they're raking in money and converts, they're all over Trinity Broadcasting Network. \nThe temptation to blend with mainstream music is understandable, not only from a financial standpoint but for positive exposure as well. Religious leaders are finally realizing anti-rock sentiment alienates potential converts, especially the coveted demographic of impressionable young males who are eager to fit in with a crowd. So if rock is what it takes to reach millions of teens, then Christians are willing to make that concession.\nThe tactic might be working, but how valid are the results? Kids who adopt Christianity as a way of emulating their favorite musicians are completely missing the point. Christ's teachings are about love and compassion, not killer guitar hooks and head-to-toe tattoos. \nOf course Christian leaders should be concerned with recruiting as many members as possible, but they don't seem to care if kids are converting for the right reasons.\nIt's hard to say whether or not rock 'n' roll is an appropriate medium to spread the gospel, but there is one inescapable similarity between this musical genre and Christ himself: rebellion.\n"There is no greater rebellion than to say sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll isn't the only thing in life. The Christian rock thing is almost rebelling against the rock establishment. Rock 'n' roll is rebellion," Strang said.\nThough I feel downright violated by the notion of religious ideology being subtly inserted into my beloved brainless pop music, I'm going to have to hand that one to him. \nAs Stryper said, "God's the rock that makes us roll"