Scientology Vs. Anonymous

Has the internet become a religious battleground? Scientology has been a controversial religion since it was founded in 1954 by L. Ron Hubbard. Scientology has received criticism for claims of brain washing, controversial personality tests, dangerous practices in medicine, and for many other controversial claims.

On January 21, 2008, a group of computer hackers called Anonymous attacked the church of Scientology with some very innovative tactics. Anonymous used the internet to spread their message against Scientology. Along with live protests by masked boycotters, Anonymous attacked Scientology online. They hacked into the Scientology website where they used a denial of service attack to shut the website down.

Anonymous also posted videos online that spread rapidly. Though the video was only two minutes long, it had over 500,000 views within just a few days.

The videos posted from Anonymous threatened to destroy the church.


“Anonymous has therefore decided that your organization should be destroyed. For the good of your followers, for the good of mankind--for the laughs--we shall expel you from the Internet and systematically dismantle the Church of Scientology in its present form. We acknowledge you as a serious opponent, and we are prepared for a long, long campaign.”

The hacker group continued to post anti-Scientology videos on Youtube. Within a few days, Anonymous opened the Scientology website.


So, whose side are you on? The Annonyous group believes that they are upholding their freedom of speech , but it may be at the cost of somebody’s freedom of religion.

Where do we draw the line for freedom of speech?
Protesters feel that they have a freedom of speech to protest a cult whose beliefs they believe to be dangerous.

Do you support Scientology and it’s freedom of speech and religion, or do you support Annonymous and their freedom of speech to a religious cult they believe to be dangerous?

Organized Religion: Use and Emphasis on the Internet - by Christina VanDerwerken Nelson

As I began to study religion and the internet it was amazing how you really can find anything on the internet. There is so much information out there—some of it useful and some it not. The thing about the internet as we all know is that anyone can post something or create a website on the internet. But some religious organizations have done an especially good job in setting their messages apart from the others.

Two religious groups that I think have used the internet to effectively set themselves apart are the Mormons and the Scientologists. A bastardization of both religions’ goals in using the internet would be to promote awareness and to encourage conversion.

Whether or not you believe in either religion, the LDS church and Church of Scientology are both organized cultures—with distinct beliefs and hierarchy. Both churches have a lot of coverage in the media, but especially on the internet. They also both have well-designed websites set up by themselves to answer questions about their beliefs, to provide comfort, and to encourage viewers to learn more (and ultimately convert). The Mormon website, as you all know, is Mormon.org. The Scientology website is Scientology.org and they also have a video website (http://www.scientology.org/#/videos/the-basic-principles-of-scientology) that is very similar to Mormon.org.

The most interesting thing that I found about the religions and their use of the internet was specifically their use of advertising on the internet. Using Google type in Jesus Christ or Jesus or Christ and every time Mormon.org comes up in the Sponsored Links section. Doing the same thing but using the word spirituality Scientology.org comes up. And words like church or religion often bring up both Mormon.org and Scientology.org.

I admit that I do not really understand how the Google Sponsored Links section works, but it appears that both of the churches are paying top dollar to have their websites represented in these searches.

Do you think that design and layout of a website makes a huge difference in the appeal of that religion on the internet or is the message more important? What do you think the perceptions are of people that see other religions advertising on the internet?

Atheists and the Internet

With all this talk about various religions and their interactions with mass media, I think it is time we take a look at how the non-religions make use of modern technology: particularly the Internet.

Atheism is a broad term used to describe both (a) people who do not possess a belief in the existence of deities, and (b) those who actively disbelieve in deities. Most phenomena that you find on the Internet are generally manifestations of the latter group.

Two prominent examples include: www.atheists.org in the US and www.atheistbus.org.uk in the UK.

Atheists-dot-org is a web-based organization of American Atheists promoting atheist ideals. Features include headline news about atheist issues, blogs endorsing an increased separation of church and state in order to protect the non-religious freedoms of non-believers, and announcements of calendar events such as “Blasphemy Day” (the highlight of which is, of course, the opportunity for de-baptism).

Atheistbus-dot-org is the official website of the atheist bus campaign, courtesy of the British Humanist Association (BHA) in the United Kingdom. Their main contribution to the atheist cause is the slogan-ads reading “There’s Probably No God. Now Stop Worrying and Enjoy Your Life” that appear on the sides of buses in London:

The website urges visitors to take pictures of these buses and post them online, supposedly so the world can see the impact that they are making.

Common themes on these and similar sites include the debate between Creationism and Evolution; discussions about whether or not atheists possess any sort of moral compass and if so, where it comes from; and how to break free from the oppression of religious tradition and dogma.

This kind of organized un-religion stands in contrast to the modern cyber-churches like the Church of Fools. And yet, maybe atheist websites such as these actually work toward the same end as online Christianity or virtual Islam.

Greg Peterson writes about the effects of the information age on organized religion. For years, some clergy have fought to use religious dogma as a way to keep the common man in control. Before Gutenberg invented the printing press and Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses, people had to rely on the word of their priests in their search for truth and enlightenment.

Today, almost all information that mankind has discovered has been uploaded to the Internet, and is available at the click of a mouse. Peterson highlights those whom C.D. Batson calls Questers: those who seek after more truth than their organized religious communities have been able to offer. In short, Peterson argues that through online communities, the Internet has empowered the individual to question traditions and seek for further enlightenment.

True, the atheists may be jumping to conclusions about the extent to which people are oppressed by religion. But if there is an Absolute Truth out there, how do the blogs and news feeds from atheist websites contribute to our Quest to find it? Does their constant encouragement to look beyond the status-quo effectively persuade people to denounce belief in the Divine, or does it actually lead the honest-of-heart closer to discovering the true Web Designer behind the universe?

what are the real motifs behind it all??

As I was looking at all of the different websites and "online churches" I couldn't help but notice the somewhat repetitive plea for donations. Almost every single site that I stumbled across, there was a little box at the bottom where participants were asked to "support the church."

Although I do believe that it is important to support causes and different institutions that you believe in, most of the donation requests were very vague, and seemed rather sketchy. No clear information was given pertaining to where the money was going, and whose hands it was going to be in.

** The first example I found was on the Church of Fools website. I was curious as to what all the fuss was about, and I was even more surprised than expected. This virtual online church, put on by the Methodists, comes equipped with a program where one can build their own "character," and attend church with others. They can kneel, pray, listen to sermons, confess, and interact with other "church-goers."

In the side bar there is a link to "support us". Below is what followed:

SUPPORT US

Although Church of Fools is a virtual place of worship, it has real-life costs. We're also looking at ways of launching other online churches in the US, France, and Australia. If you'd like to support what were doing , please consider giving via credit card.

To make a credit card donation to the work of Church of Fools, please click one of the options below. Thanks!

http://churchoffools.com

Although it is not too pushy it is completely vague. It does not tell the reader where the money is exactly going. I feel like this is conniving, and really makes me question the real motives of this program. Is this so-called religious center just a way for some creative cartoonists to make money??

** I also felt like the whole cartoon element of the Church of Fools is rather distracting. The only reason I wanted to "enter the church" was to pick a character, and "play the game." It seemed like the video game, "the sims." I don't feel like I could take this as a serious church, and a way to worship. I think it is actually somewhat disrespectful and impersonal.

The second example I found regarding a plea for donations was found on the Buddhanet website. Buddhanet is a Buddhist education and information website. On this website there is a Buddhist e-library, the Buddhist magazine,religious audio, links, readings, etc. Right smack in the middle of the main page is a donations plea.

BuddhaNet is a not-for-profit Buddhist education and information service and is supported entirely by donations. If you would like to contribute to BDEA by helping us maintain BuddhaNet, you can now do so with confidence as this is a secure credit card facility.

This is for online credit card transactions only. If you would rather make a donation by post, please use the manual donation form. Thank you for your support.

Once again, the use of these donations is vague and unclear. Readers are expected to just trust that their money will end up in righteous hands.

I feel that alot of these websites have ulterior motifs. After giving readers a spiritual and uplifting message, they ask for money to support these great causes. They butter up the participants. Just when they are feeling refreshed and spiritually edified, they are asked to do something righteous. They are asked to give money so that others can experience what they have experienced. By doing this, participants are more willing to hand over the credit card. And I know that this money is not going straight to this great cause, and for the righteous people. It is for the profit of those same people who claim to only be in the "service of their lord."

This reminds of the Christmas program idea. Viewers watch heart-warming and emotional programs, and are then asked to send flowers to family members. These types of programs, including online religious programs wake up the generous side of us, and those behind these programs love to take advantage of this.

Questions:

Do you think that it is right to ask for donations on these websites, especially with such a vague description of where the money is going??

Where do you think all of these "donations" are going?

Do you think that people truly are being edified by these "online churches" and why??

YouTube Evangelists

TIME magazine wrote an article about YouTube and finding God. The first thought when combining religion and YouTube is probably Obama’s old pastor or clips from TV shows that have religious content, (i.e. South Park episode referring to Mormonismbeing the true religion!). But more and more, YouTube is being used by religious sects to reach potential followers of their religion and to get the truth out.

Think about how much the LDS church has used the YouTube channel. There is Mormon Messages, the Tabernacle Choir and Temples that can be found on YouTube. General Conference can even be found on YouTube.

The Catholic Church uses YouTube to their advantage. If you type in Catholic in the search bar, the suggestions box gives different search options, including songs, mass, priests and Catholics come home.

YouTube is not solely used by one religion, but almost all have a presence on YouTube. It is not posted just by religious leaders, but by everyday people. People bring up religion frequently within conversations, and many of these conversations happen online, and on YouTube. One problem with YouTube is content posted cannot be regulated by the church. Some individuals can post negative views about a religion.

Steve Waldman, founder of the multi-faith website Beliefnet, was quoted in the TIME magazine article saying, “people in my business talked about how the Internet was going to revolutionize religion the way the printing press helped create Protestantism, but it didn’t happen.”

Waldman thinks YouTube may be the “beginning of that kind of transformation.” YouTube has opened the possibility to allow religious sects to connect with the younger generation. I believe it is important to adapt to the changing times and use media that reaches your target audience. It is hard for churches to get the message to younger ages and it is important for them to be involved in an uplifting setting. Religion helps to combat the possible negative activities kids can get involved with, but in order to reach kids you have to use what they are using.

Since YouTube is mainly known for their video clips and homemade movies, why have religions begun to use it to spread religious messages? What made YouTube a plausible way to reach believers?

With the creation of YouTube and its easy access to thousands of video clips, has the Internet increased people’s desire to learn more about religion? Do people use YouTube as a means to be uplifted and watch segments about a specific faith?

Your own church just a click away

A few months ago I remember Hearing about an online church, thinking it was just a rumor. After a few days of research I found that there are more than just a few churches offering online services. People can go to church in their computer while staying at home. I wonder if at some point they could even download pod casts and have a “church to go” in their iPod.



I even found a website listing all the positive things about an online church service.

http://online-churches.net/ol-churches.htm

To some degree the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has done this as well, by allowing web live steaming during general conference. This may benefit religions by allowing them to reach more people, not to mention that it will make life easier for goers who can stay in their pajamas on a Sunday morning.
However, there is another side to this. Some online churches like the Universal life church ordains ministers online. This allows anyone to have his or her own congregation without little or almost non-existent accountability. You can even choose how to name your own church without needing any religious framework.

http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/1987166
http://www.themonastery.org/?destination=ordination

How is the Internet going to affect the future of religion? Will religion as we know it change and become part of a digital world affecting the way that people traditionally interact with religion? And, how will this change the hierarchy of church authority?

Proselyting VS. Live Chat

Religions, or some form of belief system, have existed since the beginning of time. However, the internet has not. But the vast reach of the internet these days suggests that religious messages can reach more people around the world, than just the traditional proselyting on foot can.

*Here is a map of religions around the world, mapped by distribution. (See Wikipedia)

* Predominate religions of the world, mapped by state. (See Wikipedia)

Even by searching on google for "Religion and the Internet," many religious sites are found, from God Online, to results from Wikipedia, and the Religions Guide.

According to Wikipedia: Religion and the Internet, "Many sites are discussion groups, others theological debates and some attempt to provide advice concerning religious doctrine. There are also sites that aim to provide a religious experience facilitating prayer, meditation, or virtual pilgrimages."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is no exception. There is a member-friendly LDS.org website.

The Mormon.org website for those who have broad or specific questions about life in general or want to find answers about the Mormon religion.

There is even a YouTube channel, Mormon Messages, where short videos are uploaded monthly, if not weekly. From the YouTube channel, you can find more Mormon Messages on Facebook or Twitter.

The Newsroom site is the official Church resource for news media.

And the newest addition to the LDS internet team is the Newsroom Blog, which comes straight from the Church Public Affairs office, and is on a more personal note.

The most interesting of all the LDS internet sites to me, is the Mormon.org - Live Chat.

Here anyone can chat online with a missionary or member in the Provo, Utah Missionary Training Center (MTC). Just this past year (14 months), 4 missionaries were called to serve in the Referral Center of the MTC, full-time. Because of their efforts, over 52 people were taught completely the lessons of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and baptized. Now, over 12 missionaries will be called directly to the Referral Center in the MTC to teach and preach over the internet to people around the world. (TRUE STORY)

QUESTIONS:

1. Has the internet changed the way we view religion as a whole (negatively), or has it just added to the good we already have?

2. Will the internet really convert people to a religion in the "traditional" sense of going to church and being proactive in religious endeavors or will it stifle our faith to mainly internet usage of religious themes?

3. Are all the different internet uses by the LDS church; LDS.org, Mormon.org, Newsroom, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Live Chat - really making a difference? Does the good outweigh the bad in terms of feedback from others outside the church as they view the amount of internet persuasion the Church uses?

4. Is the "old-fashioned" proselyting by foot-missionaries around the world a better practice than the "new and advanced" online Live Chat the Church offers? Do people value the traditional more so than the advanced technology fad? Or is the Church just appealing to different people and different age groups by using both methods?

Going to Church... on your computer

Going to church just got a little easier. In fact, you don't have to go anywhere. The Internet has provided a way to go to church online. These options include:

The Church of Fools (A 3D online church)

Just two weeks after The Church of Fools opened for online avitar church goers, 41,000 people attended the church within a 24-hour period.

Internet Broadcasts/Live Streaming

One of the most prevelant forms of religion on the internet. Sermons, devotionals, and church meetings are broadcasted over the internet for people to view from their own home.

Discussion Groups, Message Boards and Chatrooms

These are used in every way you can think of. From bible bashing to planning church activities, these boards are found all over the internet for anyone to comment on and discuss religious doctrine, topics, or events.

Podcast

Sites like The Christian Podcast network, cpodcast.net, include sermons, music and even discussion of Christians in sports. Downloadable so you can listen to them anywhere.

My stand on the issue...

It seems that there is an internet religious service option for anyone. In November of 2008, Newsweek ran a story on the internet-religion phenomenon. The overall tone of the story was that this provides additional opportunities for people. The religious leaders who were interviewed seemed hopeful that the internet could reach people that they could not in their religious services. Another leader said "it is to augment, but not replace, a church service." But is that how people are using it?

The article also talks about the internet as a new place for community, and takes into account the change of relationships the internet has caused:

"As technology reshapes our world, as our "friends" become the people we know on Facebook as well as the ones we invite home for dinner, the definition of community is taking on radically new meanings. Nowhere is the concept of community more crucial than in religion. In the West, people traditionally worship together, in a group, in one room; that togetherness has theological import. In Christianity, the sacrament of communion underscores the unity of the faithful; consuming the consecrated bread and wine binds Christians with each other, with the saints in heaven and with the Lord. Now, at the farthest corners of the Christian world, a few people are applying new-tech concepts of community to this ancient rite." (Newsweek, 11/3/2008, "Click in Remembrance of Me")

Many feel that the internet services cannot replace traditional church services because of that need for community and worship together. Some say the location of the worship is almost as important as the worship itself.

I agree that the place that you worship correlates with the spiritual experience you will have. I also believe that it is a great thing to have place to discuss and enhance your religious experience while you are away from your traditional Sunday worship. I think online religious sites can be the supplement, but should not be a replacement.

Questions

Do religious internet sites provide a justification for a lack of traditional church worship, is it used to enhance a persons religious experience, or does it end up replacing it? Does the location and community of a religious experience the variable that gives meaning to it?

Can Religious Materials on the Internet Create the Same Experience as Non-Internet Materials?

Religious denominations are using the internet more than ever. There are online scriptures, online talks, video conference congregations, pay pall donations, and many other religious services. Many people are using the internet to stay connected with their religion or to participate more in their religion.

The Question

The question I had while reading and researching about religion and the internet was can people have the same religious experiences through online religious materials as they would have in a congregation, personal group setting or through non technological materials?  I have listed a couple of specific question after each of the topics but they all tie back to the main question previously stated.

Scriptures on the Internet

The first topic I looked into was scripture on the internet. Many churches, including the LDS church, have a copy of the scriptures on the church Web site.  Religions such as other Christian sects, Hinduism and the Church of Scientology also offer their scriptural texts online. Do you think that reading scriptures online creates a less personal experience for the reader?

Do you think that someone can have the same personal experience of reading the scriptures online as they would reading a printed version?

Many people say that being able to mark their scriptures provides and very personal religious experience for them. However, other people say that they feel they can have more experiences with reading their scriptures because they can access them from their phones or their computers whenever they want.

http://www.biblegateway.com/

i Religions

The internet religion, known as the i religion, is also growing rapidly. The i religion is an online religious community that provides religious sermons, discussion groups, and other group activities through video conferencing and pre recorded materials.  If someone were to miss church or not be able to attend the scheduled meeting, they could go the website of whatever religious group they were associated with and watch the sermon. They could also participate in discussion groups with other members.

Do you think that communicating in a discussion group online could bring the same personal experiences as communicating with other members in a church setting? Or in other words, is communicating with someone online the same as communicating with them in person?

One view is that it is better for someone to watch a sermon or talk online than not watch or hear one at all. The opposite view is that providing the religious sermons or talks on the internet gives people an excuse to miss the interactive setting of church and get to it when they have more time and it is convenient.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0nYg9kR4TE

Pay Pal Donation Plates

The most interesting religious opportunity I found was the “donation” pages on many of the websites. If someone didn’t go to church but wanted to donate they could watch the talk, sermon, or speaker and choose to donate to the church through a pay pall account.

The personal experience question that I thought of for this was do you think that someone would have the same feelings about donating to a church through a credit card and pay pall as they would through tangible money?

Do you think that they would feel as if they were paying bills more than donating or do you think it would have the opposite effect?

Question:

1.     Do you think someone can have the same religious experiences through online religious materials as they would have in a congregation, personal group setting or through non-technological materials?

 

Is alternative music source of alternative spirituality?

Andrew Van Wagenen

 

In ancient Gregorian Chants, Hindu mantras, and classical pieces such as Handel’s “Messiah”, music has been a source of spirituality.  Music has coincided with religion for many millennia. It is no different today in the world of pop culture and media.  Music still has an indefinite connection with most if not all religions of the world.

 Modern-day LDS prophets have also proclaimed the importance of music in our worship services.

In the preface to the current edition of the Church's hymnal published in 1985, the First Presidency wrote: "Inspirational music is an essential part of our Church meetings. The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord.

 "Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end." 

 http://www.mormontimes.com/arts_entertainment/music/?id=10360

 

Personally I couldn’t agree more.  But in pop culture were not just talking hymns as the only form of inspirational and spiritual music.  Popular musicians such as Eric Clapton, Creed, Ben Harper and the orthodox Jewish rapper Matisyahu infused spirituality with their music.  Some of my most spiritual experiences with music have come from listening to these popular artists. I’m sure many others have had similar experiences to mine. 

 Popular Music has become adopted by religion so extensively that churches have been established around certain genres of music.  Rap churches, rock’n’roll churches, and hip hop churches have popped up all over the world. 

 http://www.rapnews.net/Topics/Church/, http://www.rocknrollpreacher.com/church.html,

 

Even within the LDS church, popular religious music has been produced by groups such as Jericho Road and EFY.  However, despite popular music as a source of spirituality, in recent years LDS church meetings popular music renditions from EFY songs have been prohibited; even the playing of more popular instruments like the guitar are considered irreverent for special numbers during church meetings. 

 

My question to be considered:  If popular music can be such a strong source for spiritual and religious experiences then how should we as Latter-Day Saints view popular music as an alternative source for spirituality?  And should it be considered appropriate or reverent for popular religious music and instruments to appear in LDS church meetings?

 

Christianity In Hip Hop, Country and Pop Music

To avoid an awkward interruption, I will just let Kanye West have the first say in this post.

“They say you can rap about anything except for Jesus
That means guns, sex, lies, video tapes
But if I talk about God my record won't get played Huh?” (“Jesus Walks”, Kanye West)

The Christian music world has boomed with $300 million to $500 million profits (Forbes & Mahan) and created their own stars in an ever-growing niche market. In this market they can talk about God as much as they want, and their listeners want to hear more.

But what place does Christianity and God have on mainstream music? How is it interpreted in different genres of music like Country, Hip Hop and Pop music?

Kanye is right that most mainstream music is about sex, love, heartbreak and drama. While these are often glorified, religion is virtually shunned and seen as the most offensive and divisive of any subject matter. But we will see that religion, specifically Christianity, still finds a place (even sometimes a very small place) in every genre of music.

Pop music probably references religion and God the least out of all the genres of music. Top 40 music is created to entertain the masses and appeal to the most listeners as possible. Perhaps this is why God is mostly found absent on its charts. Mentions of God and religion would divide audiences and turn away those who disagree with religion, in a format that is meant to attract as many listeners as possible.

Although there are acts like Lifehouse, Creed and The Fray who have references to God in their music, they are often vague and generic. One of The Fray’s biggest hits “You Found Me” discusses the doubts the singer is having about God while dealing with hard times. But there is no mention of a specific God and he is humanized “smoking his last cigarette”.

The most blatant religious statements in pop music are made with great controversy. Take Madonna’s 1989 hit “Like A Prayer” as an example. Burning crosses, making love to a black Christ and stigmata are all focuses of the music video. She was making a statement against the Catholic faith in this video. While the song has very vague religious references, like most of pop music’s references to God, the video used religious references to cause controversy.

While Hip-Hop music can be argued to be the least saintly genre of music, its artists often claim close associations with religion. One of the most popular tattoos and accessories amongst rappers is a cross. Ironically, they wear a cross that represents a sacred act as they rap about very unholy acts such as pre-marital and extra-marital sex, drugs and violence. But some rappers and R & B singers “namedrop” God in their lyrics.

Mary J Blige, Destinys Child, Coolio all make respectful references to God. But the most recent "religious" hit to my knowledge in hip hop is Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks”. This whole record is about whether or not talking about God in popular music is acceptable or not. It is more specific than popular music, but God is still rarely found in hip hop. Like Madonna's video, Kanye's video for "Jesus Walks" is controversial and uses religion to shock audiences.

Country music is the music that tends to be the most closely associated with God and religion. Nashville artists tend to wear their faith on their sleeves and openly acknowledge God and religion in their music. Whether it is Martina McBride, Diamond Rio or Tim McGraw, faith is as valued in their lyrics as romance.

The most recent popular example I can think of is American Idol winner Carrie Underwood. Two of her hits, “Jesus Take the Wheel” and “Don’t Forget to Remember Me”, are open prayers for mercy to God to “take the wheel, take it from [her] hands, because [she] can’t do this on [her] own.” She also pleads for course correction and for Got to “give [her] one more chance, save [her] from this road I’m on”

Neither hits hide her faith in God or tries to use Him as a metaphor. Neither song keeps the subject matter vague. They are straightforwardly Christian and both were #1 Country hits.

What makes Country music different that it can mention a Christian God and still be a hit? Where does Christianity fit in with mainstream music? Is it regarded differently in different genres and how?

Benefits of Bashing

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 STD's
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.

A Song and a Prayer

Perhaps the most oft-mentioned aspect of religion mentioned in music is prayer. Considering prayer plays a role in every major religion, it should not be a wonder this act of communicating with a higher power is sung about in every major music genre.

Indeed, remembering that a song, at least one coming from a righteous source, is a prayer (see D&C 25:12), the two forms of communicating are tightly intertwined, and have been for centuries.

Because of the universality of prayer and the kinship between song and speaking to Deity, prayer is special in the world of religion in pop culture simply in that it is allowed and accepted. Religion and pop culture have had many run-ins and are often seen as an oil and water mixture, but prayer is one aspect everyone is willing to allow.

Though prayer and song were originally coupled only with religious services, artists now cite prayer in every way imaginable. For instance, there is, of course, Bon Jovi in “Living on a Prayer.”
But there are also two versions hymn-like version of “The Prayer” has found a mainstream following, whether it is the Charlotte Church or the Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli version. to the head-banging style of


In “The Prayer” lyrics, each singer is placed as if they are speaking directly to God:

I pray you'll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know

Let this be our prayer
As we go our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your Grace
To a place where we'll be safe

Though set in more modern settings, other artists even go so far as to teach religious lessons through songs about prayer. Garth Brooks sings of God’s guidance in our lives in “Unanswered Prayers”:

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Still another possibly more “shy” group of artists imply they are singing about or to God, yet their lyrics can also easily point to another entity, most commonly a lover or helper. For instance, in “Only Hope,” Mandy Moore dualistically sings,

Sing to me the song of the stars.
Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again.
When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again.

So I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I know now, you're my only hope.



Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Baha’i, Sikhism, Shinto—these and many other religious frames of thought all invoke prayer. Pop culture musicians capitalize on the common human experience of prayer to relate to their listeners. Though a widespread tenet of religion, prayer is a deeply personal experience to all who participate in it.

So: 1) What are other possible reasons prayer is mentioned so unashamedly and often in popular music?
2) Are there other tenets or aspects of religion that are mentioned as much or more than prayer?
3) Are songs about prayer mostly uplifting?
4) How did prayer become so accepted in pop culture? Was the acceptance gradual or sudden?

Underoath: Christian Screamo?

Underoath proudly publicizes the fact that every member of their band is a Christian. They have released six albums since their formation in 1997.  Of those six, their most popular album They're Only Chasing Safety was certified gold in 2004 and Define the Great Line (2006) became the highest-ranking Christian album on the Billboard top 200 since 1997.

While certainly not a widely popular band such as U2, Coldplay, Green Day, etc., Underoath has experienced their fair share of success appearing on multiple major tours including Warped Tour and Taste of Chaos. A few of their singles have also appeared on MTV2 and Fuse. Not only are the members of the band Christian, but they promote their faith through their music. In an interview with MTV entitled Underoath Rock Like Slipknot, For God's Sake band member Timothy MacTeague said, 

"The ideas we address in our songs and the overall spiritual foundation of our band are very real and powerful. There's a lack of realness to a lot of the music in our scene. There's a lack of emotion and actually feeling like God is alive and love is alive. There's a huge battle every day between doing the right thing and the wrong thing, and our job is to get it out there in a way where kids can feel something."

The band's faith is evident in the songs on their first record Act of Depression. For example:

A Love So Pure
Always did it on my own then one day I realized
I was blind, nothing I could do on my own
Turn, we have found a way to see, look up... feel the Almighty
Take control as we gaze into your eyes
We're just the tool you use to bring this world to you
Oh, Lord, how we love you
With your grace, take away the hurt and the bruises inside,
reach down let your glory reside
The cross carried for all of us, paint the image in my mind
So I will never think I am something,
but nothing am I but you, you are something
Lord you keep me alive, you give me rest at night
When there seems no way to find calmness in the storm you come and
take me in your arms and then the waves drown me no more
With you I'll last this battle and many others
Through the ages your name will reign forever... never to be replaced
In these trials I face, I pray you humble me
Humble me I want to be like you Jesus more and more like you
I was crucified on that day with Christ
Nailing you there with sin, accepting you
I nailed my soul to the cross and now my life begins
This world so cold but your love keeps me warm
My father holds me in his nailed scarred hands which I put there
But for some reason he still loves me with all his heart
Even through I betray him constantly
He always keeps his arms open waiting, till I give up my old was
God my father, you are the only one that can give me comfort
You touch my heart in such a way that all I can do is cry your name
Jesus Christ I love you
My heart aches for your love

The Christian message in their first album is immediately apparent on every single track. However, in their later albums (the more successful ones) their songs notably shift towards more secular lyrics and themes. While the band claims the messages are still there, it is far from obvious. 

Their song Writing on the Wall is perhaps one of the band's most popular songs. Listen to the song either at the link below or the video I have embedded. Pay close attention to the lyrics and see if you can pick out the message.

You can watch the real video here.

Or just listen to the song right down here: 

(Sorry about the lack of the real video. All the official versions of the video have disabled embedding.)

Did you get the message? If not, I didn't either. Even upon reading the lyrics,

I was still unable to discover a clear cut Christian message.

Despite the shift in music lyrics, Underoath still maintains they are a Christian band. The MTV interview also says, 

"Some Christian rockers let their words speak for themselves. Underoath also want their actions to reflect their faith...As for the lyrics [in Define the Great Line], expect more pained, passionate words that, on first listen, don't even sound like they're coming from a Sunday-morning sermon. Of course, closer examination will reveal the band's higher goals. We just want to encourage people to live clean, clear lifestyles and more loving and uplifting lifestyles. Hopefully God will continue to use us to shine his light in a dark place."

So my questions are:

• After listening the the band, do you think this style of music promotes worship, Christianity, or the Spirit? (Please note my selection of song is rather tame compared to most of their music.) 
• Are the true meanings of the band's lyrics lost in their extreme musical presentation (ie all the screaming)?
• Does their music accomplish the band's goal of "shining His light in a dark place"? Or do most of their fans just like the style of music but not the message?
• Can Underoath's increased record sales on later albums be attributed to their shift away from overtly Christian themed music?
• In light of Underoath's shift away from straightforward Christian lyrics, has the fact that Underoath portrays themselves as Christian increased their publicity as compared to similar bands of the same genre (screamo)?
• Why might this type of Christian music be powerful, meaningful or a form of worship to some people?

~Rachel Finley

Matisyahu

Orthodox Judaism is the most rigorous type of Jewish worship. Those that decide to follow Orthodox Judaism follow a strict set of Laws that come from the Talmud. There are 613 laws that are to be followed and 13 principles of faith. Out of all of the religious worship in the world Orthodox Judaism is considered one of the strictest and consuming religions. It is not very often that one will here of an Orthodox Jew being a part of popular culture.
Matthew Paul Miller is an American born Jew that decided to conform to Orthodox Judaism around 2001. The thing that makes Matthew Paul Miller, also known as Matisyahu, so neat is that he is also a reggae musician. Starting in 2004 Matisyahu has been creating music that is fun to listen to but has religious themes throughout it. Matisyahu has been on tour with bands like 311 and Sting.

His song “Jerusalem” reads:

Jerusalem, if I forget you,
fire not gonna come from me tongue.
Jerusalem, if I forget you,
let my right hand forget what it's supposed to do.
(Above is the chorus)
In the ancient days, we will return with no delay
Picking up the bounty and the spoils on our way
We've been traveling from state to state
And them don't understand what they say
3,000 years with no place to be
And they want me to give up my milk and honey
Don't you see, it's not about the land or the sea
Not the country but the dwelling of his majesty
{chorus}
Rebuild the temple and the crown of glory
Years gone by, about sixty
Burn in the oven in this century
And the gas tried to choke, but it couldn't choke me
I will not lie down, I will not fall asleep
They come overseas, yes they're trying to be free
Erase the demons out of our memory
Change your name and your identity
Afraid of the truth and our dark history
Why is everybody always chasing we
Cut off the roots of your family tree
Don't you know that's not the way to be
{chorus}
Caught up in these ways, and the worlds gone craze
Don't you know it's just a phase
Case of the Simon says
If I forget the truth then my words won't penetrate
Babylon burning in the place, can't see through the haze
Chop down all of them dirty ways,
That's the price that you pay for selling lies to the youth
No way, not ok, oh no way, not ok, hey
Aint no one gonna break my stride
Aint no one gonna pull me down
Oh no, I got to keep on moving
Stay alive
{chorus}

This is a popular song that is widely known around the world that promotes a lot of the religious beliefs of the Jewish people. The song talks a lot about the opposition that the Jews have had to face in their history. Times like the first and second destruction of their temple, the blood libels, and the Holocaust. The Jewish people have had to endure many dark times and this song is sung in remembrance to all of the hardship that the Jewish people had to go through and still continue to go through. Not only is this song, and others that he sings, a remembrance of hard times but it also promotes ideas like the building of a third Jewish temple.
While this song is a great way to honor the men and women that have come before and suffered through hard times I wonder if it is all positive. Matisyahu is a popular singer all over the world and the music that he is singing is obviously going to be pro Israeli. Will individuals that are not highly educated in affairs going on in the Middle East listen to Matisyahu songs and be persuaded to one side of the Israeli Palestinian issues? Is music able to really have that much of an impact on what people think? Does the agenda setting theory work when discussing music and popular culture?

To find more out about Matisyahu:
http://www.matisyahuworld.com/home

To find more out about the Palestinian and Israeli conflict:
http://progress4israelpalestine.org/

Rap and Religion

As I was thinking about what to write about for my post, I thought that the subject of rap music would be an interesting topic. According to a recent survey, 58% of Black youth said they listen to rap music every day, compared to 45% of Hispanic youth and 23% of White youth. I believe that rap music is an integrated aspect into our society, and that is gaining popularity whether we like it or not.

Where did rap music come from?
The roots of hip hop are found in Africa American music, dating back hundreds of years. Rap music can be traced back to the African cultural traditions of oral story telling, vocalization and other cultural aspects that were retained by the slaves who went to America. These slaves sung and told stories about their political and social desires for freedom from oppression. Even today, this fact of dealing with oppression has shaped many of the characteristics of current rap music.

Rap and Religion
While I was doing my research for this blog post, I came across a website from CA state University Long Beach, where Richard Manly had further delved into the topic of religion and rap. This is what he said, "I encourages music lovers to pay closer attention to the spiritual elements of rap. There was never any particular movement that came right out and said, Rap is spiritual. Secular mainstream hip-hop never declared itself that way. But people in the rap community can see the spiritual connections. When you’re in touch with the movement, you can see its spirituality.

An example of this is Kanye West- Jesus Walks

Apart from is spirituality, rap also can cause listeners to feel uplifted, a sense of hope, or they might learn some type of moral lesson. An example of this is Eminem's "When I'm Gone"


This is a touching song that advises listeners to make the most of life by living it to the fullest.

As a "remix" or Eminem's "When I'm Gone", here is a video by two Christian Korean rappers, who have changed the words. The words are all about facing challenges that God gives us, how we can endure, etc.


The Question
Rap is something that I have liked listening to ever since I can remember. I think my fascination with the musical genre came about when I was living in NYC, and I was around 11 years old. I was very exposed to rap and the type of culture that it entails, and I don't know why it has stuck with me this far into my life, but it definitely has. Having said that, I want to relate a story to you that happened to me when I was in 9th grade. I was in early morning seminary class in Southern California, and I remember my seminary teacher talking about how we need to steer clear from things that are poisonous and detrimental to our minds. She then continued by saying that music with inappropriate subject matter, language, etc, would fall into the category of things that we need to steer clear from. Then one of the other girls in my seminary class brought up an interesting contradiction. It was that rap music contains a lot of bad lyrics and subject matter, but that it also can be religious and uplifting. She was making the point that just because some of the rap music was "poisonous", not all of it was. So there is my question, do the benefits of rap outweigh the negatives? Is rap primarily a "bad" thing because it talks about subject matter that is inappropriate, or do its "religious and spiritual" qualities redeem it enough? Rap music has been blamed for just about anything. This includes teen pregnancies, teen drug use, violence, abusive behavior, etc. I couldn't find any studies concerning rap music and the increase of negative behaviors, but I can see that it could be a valid concern. What do you think? Are people just trying to blame rap because they dont want to take the responsibility for why there are teen pregnancies, violent beahvior, etc? Or is there a deeper connection? Going back to my main question once again, do raps disadvantages outweigh its benefits, or is it the other way around?