I wanted to pick something that was a little more controversial and not so positive toward religion. This isn’t to anger anyone but just to help us understand how different groups view religion and why they have those particular opinions. Ever since I was little I’ve listened to Rock music, whether it is alternative, punk, classic or indie. Since I listen to a lot of Punk rock I have been exposed to many strong political and religious views. That is the essence of punk rock, to use political and anti-establishment lyrics. One band in particular that I listen to sometimes is NOFX. This band takes pride in the way they express themselves. They have one particular song that attacks conservative Christians that caught my attention the first time I heard it. The song is called “Leaving Jesusland” here are the lyrics.
We call the heartland not very smart land, IQ's are very low but threat levels are high
They got a mandate, they don't want man-dates, they got so many hates and people to despise
In the dust bowl, cerebral black hole, the average weight is well over 200 pounds
I hate to generalize, but have you seen the thighs, most haven't seen their privates in a while
Maybe that's why they're so scared of us
We've concerns other than fear and hunger pangs
Queers, transgends, and lesbians, vegans and vegetarians
All you brownish red and yellow ones come and join us on the coast
No longer svelte, they gotta punch new holes in the Bible belt
They've blown out the fire under the melting pot, the red blood of America is starting to clot
No compromise, no sight through others' eyes, they're just flies spreading pieces of
You gotta emigrate, stop living in hate, what makes this country great is dwelling on either side
They don't want visitors in Jesusland
They want life canned and bland in the fatherland
We want people with college degrees, drug use experience and
People with open-minded philosophies, come hug California trees
Cultural revolution now, neo-conservatives run outta town
We're gonna burn Orange County down,
And then we're off to Riverside, Bakersfield and Fresno too, then we're coming after you
The fear stricken, born again Christian, they got a vision a homogenized state
Textbook decline, intelligent design
They got Bill Nye on the list to execrate
They don't want visitors in Jesusland
They want life canned and bland in the fatherland
Punk Rockers and emo kids, people doing things the church forbids
Buddhists, agnostics, and atheists we're moving out of jesusland
Art students and thespians, excluding country, all the musicians
We want all hookers and comedians, nihilists are welcome too
No longer svelte, they gotta punch new holes in the Bible belt
As you can see the lyrics are strong, I even removed a word and changed another to make it more appropriate. I hate to say it but the first time I heard it I laughed, seeing lots of logic, albeit extreme, in their stereotyping. They are referring primarily to the Bible belt, but all of Christianity is included. Now I don’t agree with or support these lyrics but after listening to this band and hearing so many songs trashing Christians and conservatives like this it made me think. Clearly they have had some bad experiences with Christians and don’t agree with their views. Why is that? What is happening around them that makes them so negative toward Christians? Hearing these criticisms doesn’t make me angry; it makes me analyze how I’m doing, if I’m being a true Christian and not a hypocrite. So I guess my question is, are there any lessons embedded in the lyrics for Christians? What can be learned and what if anything needs to change? I will not post this song since there is a swear word but here is another song by NOFX with a similar topic.
Thanks for the post. I like the perspective that you have on the lyrics. Instead, of getting mad and being offended that a band would right something negative about Christians you take a step back to see how your are doing as a Christian. Now to answer some of the questions:
ReplyDeleteWhat is happening around them that makes them so negative toward Christians?
From the lyrics is looks like they see Christians, for the most part, as a group of people who only accept others who are just like them. They see Christians as unaccepting of anyone who is different from themselves.
Are there any lessons embedded in the lyrics for Christians What can be learned and what if anything needs to change?
The lyrics show that the members of this band feel like Christianity refuses to accept anyone who is different. As Christians I think we need to take a step back and make sure this isn't us, because obviously this isn't what Christianity stands for. As for change, as a Christian society we need to be kinder and more accepting of those who are different and believe things differently than we do.
This post insightfully pointed out that negative experiences with Christianity have clearly motivated the band to make this kind of emotional statement through their music. I think the reaction to that realization is mature and appropriate: Through self-analysis, what can we learn and/or possibly change, if necessary because of this?
ReplyDeleteI find it difficult to take the lyrics very seriously because of their over-generalizations and antagonistic criticism, not to mention heavy irony. I understand how certain actions and behaviors perpetuate the negative perception of Christians, especially by those living in the Bible Belt. However, it is simply inaccurate to accuse all Christians of promoting intolerance, ignorance, close-mindedness and lack of diversity as values. It is, in fact, intolerant, ignorant and close-minded in and of itself to do so.
Therefore, I think this song can be a signal to us that we can continue to work toward improvement in our personal lives, just as we always have been, which will gradually affect others' overall perception of us. We can continue to educate ourselves, accept those around us for who they are and intelligently interact with others. In short, we can continue to try and act as Christ would. Naturally, this does not mean we have to turn around and embrace certain aspects of the lifestyle they suggest in our own lives to be reasonable people.
Obviously the message of this song needs to be taken with a grain of salt, simply because of the song's nature of hate and intolerance. I think it would be a mistake to put too much stock in the band's words and intentions, but rather than dismiss the song as simply pointless, there is opportunity for reflection based on their accusations and definite potential for all of us to continue to progress as Christians.