For Turn Back The Clock Tuesdays
First posted - 11/25/05
I was involved in an interesting discussion the other day.
Apparently I have been missing out on the evolution of Christian Music. No
longer is it a musical backwater. Several billions of dollars are spent each year on every
genre. There's everything from Bible thumping Metal to Country without the crying
in my beer, my dog died and she's a two bit whore lyrics. Instead, the lyrics
bring the Lord's message to us through music more hip to the times. The tunes
that were sure to put us to sleep before we warmed the pews on Sunday are dead
in the water. Never to be resurrected.
Anyway, some fellow who killed his girlfriend or wife recently had just finished listening to some Christian Metal band when he decided to do the deed. Now that's interesting. I would like to think this guy was too close to the edge to begin with. Primed and loaded. What he listened to was not relevant.
Anyway, some fellow who killed his girlfriend or wife recently had just finished listening to some Christian Metal band when he decided to do the deed. Now that's interesting. I would like to think this guy was too close to the edge to begin with. Primed and loaded. What he listened to was not relevant.
The person I was discussing this with had a different idea.
He wondered if the recent religious pop was but a sign Satan had indeed
breached the Christian wall. He wondered what the tunes sounded like played
backwards. He was sure too much Christian indoctrination had made this guy go
homicidal. He wondered if that much redemption, resurrection, we are all sinners
destined for the pit and other holier than thou messaging is very healthy to the spiritual side of ourselves. He went on about how it seems the
religiously endowed are precariously balanced on the tipping point between
sanity and insanity and anything could push them over the edge.
I said, "Well Duh! The tipping point is there for all of us. Most of us are just lucky enough to miss finding it. If it ain't music, it's a dog that talks to us, aliens in our head or the color green. That guy was working hard to go crazy anyway. His music just reinforced the urge. But he was crazy first and foremost."
We ended our conversation sure the other was clueless and went our way.
I said, "Well Duh! The tipping point is there for all of us. Most of us are just lucky enough to miss finding it. If it ain't music, it's a dog that talks to us, aliens in our head or the color green. That guy was working hard to go crazy anyway. His music just reinforced the urge. But he was crazy first and foremost."
We ended our conversation sure the other was clueless and went our way.
Later I checked into the Christian music phenomenon and
noticed something odd. It appears the most growth in any religion has been in
the Evangelical side of Christianity. Baptists ( the dancing kind), Fundamentalists,
Methodists, and of course those wacky anti Catholics, the Episcopalians are all
hip to the new wave Jesus save me Alternative music. Noticed by their absence
was the lack of any attempt to brighten up the music of Catholics. Are
Catholics just too stuffy and rigid to embrace the new rage? Or is it just that
the Pope has not decreed a decree allowing all good Catholics the right to
listen to previously sinful beats.
Let's face it, some music is hedonistic and evokes thoughts
that run counter to keeping everything in it's place and safe from self
gratification. All no-nos to the boys in Rome. But just think how much ground
the Pope would re-gain if he dumped the stale and dusty hymnals of old for a
newer and hipper set of tunes to draw em back into the Lord's fold.
I think Catholics need to jump on board with some new twists
on admittedly some of the worst church music ever devised by Man. I even have
some catchy band names to get em started.
~The Flagellating Monks - probably work best as a
quartet. The lead singer can whip himself into a frenzy as he croons. A papal nod in
the direction of the S & M crowd. After all, we's all God's chilluns.
~ Archie Bishop and the Pope Pushers - Focus on
light pop with an emphasis on the show. Lyrics don't have to be audible, just
sound inspiring and heartfelt. Typical audience - the Blue hair set.
~ Immaculate Conception - This trio will astound
all who come to hear them. With no instruments or singing, music will just
happen.
~ The Deaf Jesuits - The hook for this group is
signing the lyrics. In order to appreciate them, you have to be able to sign
along.
~ Hail Mary and the Mothers of God - Basic run of
the mill light pop, pre-teen messaging. Emphasis on keeping your hands off
yourself.
~ The Rhythm Methods - A capella group for the
mature Catholic. This group proves you don't need instruments to make music.
~The Celibates - An edgier sound from this group proves
a winner with the Pope and his crew. Probably won't catch on with the
mainstream Catholic however. Rated PGB-15 ( Parental Guidance for Boys under 15)
~The Nattering Nun - Sister Delmonica wails her gold
record hits, "Don't touch yourself there" and "Stick your hand
out, I want to Smack it". She keeps the faith, keeps the message simple,
but most of all she keeps it clean and entertaining.
~Father Blues and the Soul Redemption - Blues band
doing Jelly Roll Morton covers with only most of the lyrics changed. Hard
hittin guitar riffs with a brass section of Dominican monks second to none.
~Jesus, Mary and Joseph - A trio who owe much of their
style and delivery to the folk group from the 50s and 60s with almost the same
name. Real Hootenanny delivery. Joseph played by transgender Sister Dan.
~Christ on a Crutch - A group whose goal is to reach
the physically and mentally challenged. Their hit, "Your legs may be
missing, but your heart belongs to God" will bring a tear to almost any
eye.
~Confession - A techno remix group who will only admit
who they ripped their latest tune off of from behind the closed curtain. Their
niche tunes evoke deja vu all over again.
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I have just re-read this after some small tuck and stitch done on it. I don't care if it is good or bad, funny or not funny. I will say that if I had written this in some countries say like Iran for instance, I would probably be sitting in some jail cooling my heels because I had offended some asshole's notion of what Allah would be offended by. And regardless of the poor choice we put in charge here in the US, I can still write stuff like this and not fear any repercussions from the government. Its called counting blessings and no matter what else, we still have more than most.
Keep it "tween the ditches ...............................................
--------------------------------------------
I have just re-read this after some small tuck and stitch done on it. I don't care if it is good or bad, funny or not funny. I will say that if I had written this in some countries say like Iran for instance, I would probably be sitting in some jail cooling my heels because I had offended some asshole's notion of what Allah would be offended by. And regardless of the poor choice we put in charge here in the US, I can still write stuff like this and not fear any repercussions from the government. Its called counting blessings and no matter what else, we still have more than most.
Keep it "tween the ditches ...............................................