<- Is this a good idea? Or is it too cringe-makingly an instance of this to be taken seriously, particularly if, like me, you (*gasp*) don’t actually like Delirious? that much?
I like Rage Against The Machine, and I don’t like The X Factor, but all the same I didn’t take part in the campaign that is being ripped off here. Still, I could be convinced to take part, I suppose. What do my readers think?
9 comments:
An interesting post, my friend. Seems a bit too much on the "let's use the holidays to pump our sales" genre for my tastes. IMO bunnies, flowers, chocolates and egg hunts are all good pagan practices well adopted by Christianity and they appeal much more to children than do Delirious or RATM.
I chuckled at the campaign link - used to be a SLADE fan back in 8th grade (along with Motorhead and Dokken). Sort of grew out of it by 9th, though.
On another cringe-inducing level have you seen "Christian side hug"? I felt embarrassed watching it; especially on the YouTube channel of the Young Turks whom I despise but with whom I sided in saying "this is ridiculous."
See here: Christian Side Hug
Is that music video for real? If so then I do find it rather embarrassing. Sort of the like the spoof anti-smoking song in South Park.
On the side-hug itself, though, I don't have a strong opinion. I mean, yes, if "full-frontal hugging"(!?) causes you to fall into sin, then don't do it(Matt 5:30). That doesn't mean you have to side-hug, though. You could just do without hugging. The irony for me is that the only people outside my family whom I hug at all (front or side-on) are (some of) my Christian friends. Before I was a Christian I didn't realise there was so much hugging out there.
I recall a passage in a Christian book where the author recounted the story of a young man who had confessed to him that he had fallen into temptation from regular "boob hugs". For the life of me, though, I can't remember what book it was.
Stuff Christians Like #106: The Side Hug
And did those feet in ancient times
Walk upon England's mountains green...
http://blazingcatfur.blogspot.com/2010/03/one-more-reason-britain-is-doomed.html
Personally, I am torn on this. I dislike Delirious enormously; being in favour of worship leaders who write meaningful Biblical lyrics about the actual gospel, rather than commercialised schmalz. However, I do think there is a real call for Christians to be proud of the reason we celebrate Easter, and to tell anyone who asks us why it is that we see it as so important.
Looking at the words of the song in question, I don't think it answers either of these calls, but only goes to declare that Christians believe in angels, shaking royalty and the power of prayer. All good and true things, but it does nothing to raise the issue of Jesus, the crucifixion or the resurrection: these being the only reasons WHY we believe in the list above.
It might be better than yet another X Factor product though...
An interesting comment, VK. My main beef with it is that if Christians are to revivify the culture they have to do so by thinking about what their faith means and then reconstituting the traditional images to reflect that thought. To simply say "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" shows no insight or thought or creativity; it does nothing to recast the ancient forms to draw in a new audience (what is the gospel verse about "many who will cry out 'Lord, Lord' on that day"?) I think of those who have done this well, Tolkien, O'Connor, Part, Tavener, pop artists like U2 or, I think, Christopher Nolan; each of them has recast the imagery to shed some new insight into the meaning. That's what many of these other programs lack; consequently they seem to just be using the imagery in order to promote themselves, not the concept or message of the faith.
I completely agree, Abecedarius Rex. I think that many bands use the term 'Christian' to gain popularity amongst Christian listeners, and to indeed promote themselves, not their faith. This is absolutely why I dislike Delirious (plus it's not really my kind of music, but that aside). I would also agree that modern culture does not react to the Christian faith in the way it used to, nor does it hold as much gravity - partly due to apathy, and partly due to previous bad experiences with Christians and the Church alike. The number of times I've heard people say, 'I wouldn't mind knowing a bit more about this Jesus guy, but I don't want to have to go to church to do it....'
I would say that, though creativity is indeed imperative to approach the generations below us, the principles and basic truths of the Bible are fundamental to Christianity and shouldn't, I think, be traded for a watered down version of the Bible - especially when this Delirious song is presented to the UK as being a focal point for what we believe. We are called to be different and to stand up for what we believe, and I think that also translates to song-writing. I am all for portraying faith in varying forms - it makes basic sense that individuals each learn, respond and understand in different ways - but I have to say that I think to 'simply say Jesus, Jesus, Jesus' should be enough - it's how we say it that counts.
Good Morning Matt,
My name is Arielle and I work with a small publicity company that partners with Christian authors trying to get their books off the ground. I read through many blogs to find the best possible readers for our authors. I am very eager to add you to my list of reviewers. I'd like to send you a pdf. of our newest releases, if this is something you'd be interested in please let me know. I hope to be hearing from you soon.
Arielle Roper
arielle@bringitoncommunications.com
Bring It On! communications
www.BringItOncommunications.com
I'm quite ready to ban public hugging.
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