This is a Nelson Muntz article if ever I've read one. Sometimes people who listen to Christian music do bad things, also? You don't say. The author himself says that it doesn't seem like Christian music had any role to play in the crime. So it seems to me that the whole point of this article is to say, "Remember when all those Christians flipped out about Judas Priest and Ozzy and Marilyn Manson? Well, lookie here."

In a word: Blech.

what we need now is some Christian Porn.

Oh wait... missionary position only, in the dark. At least there won't be too much detail for the thumbnails.

As one of the kids was a huge fan of Christian Rock in high school I have to object to some of the assumptions made about Christianity in the article and the letters. First, very few people listen to Christian rock exclusively, as a substitute for secular music. The audience for Christian rock is the same as the audience for other genres, kids looking for their experience reflected in their music.

Emo is the music of pain, punk is the music of anger, and Christian variations have the same focus but incorporate God. Those who follow Christ experience pain and anger and the whole swath of human emotion, but they look to God or question God or relevant to your life; that�s personal. (And if you think musical taste isn�t personal go argue with someone who hates your favorite band.)

Selling Out in the Christian Rock world is ignoring that crucial faith component. There are other bands that do angst far better than many Christian crossover groups could hope to. (e.g Evanescence: good Christian band, mediocre pop metal band). So the rare talented Christian Rock band decides, usually for a profit motive, to dilute their message fans of this music naturally upset. A) Because one of the few artists producing work reflecting ALL of their experience in their preferred genre is gone and B) now their favorite band is just another forgettable band of a hyphenated genre. You'd get the same reaction out of indie kids if Bright Eyes suddenly became John Mayer.

In any case, it takes all kinds of people to make a scene. I would go to Christian Rock shows and meet nice, kids, snotty kids, gay kids, homophobic kids, faithful kids, curious kids and the occasional nut job. I can say the same thing about the Green Day Show I went to in the fall. Music is a powerful force uniting people in love...of something, but like all subgenres the Christian Rock is more than just the sum of its fanbase.

All I take away from this is that this what you get when you try to sweep away young people to your cause with highly emotional and emotive calls to their own inner discontent. You say To-Maa-to I say shahid.

Someone far wise than I mentioned once; "The middle ages is what you get when you put teenagers in charge."

It is perversely satisfying to hear that kids who listen to the "right music" can also be deranged killers. Have they checked his house for any of those Evil Christian Video Games as well?

Everybody knows those are just as bad or worse than the music.

Tipper, Dobson, et. al.:

How's it feel now that the shoe's on the other foot?

I've never bought into the idea that freak shows and certain kinds of music are what cause people to do certain horrible acts. Every once in a while however, when my kids are testing my limits I worry for about a millisecond that maybe it could be true!

My step son used to listen to some *scary music* - or at least at the what I thought was a little scary. He would go to the concerts whenever he could save enough of his money. His friends and him would get all dressed up and take tons of soda pop to spray all over themselves and others during the concerts.

One day he brought home an album - some really punky stuff (good old Dead Kennedys) � and low and behold it was one of my favorite albums of all times. I realized at that moment that his and my music tastes were strikingly similar.

I *sat him down* and had a little talk about all the best punk and metal bands ever (hehe). I also pointed out that he should have fun dressing up now because soon he was going to be dressing just like me - boring!!

Cheers!

I'm currently in my twelfth year of Catholic schooling, and while I don't believe that Christian rock moved David Ludwig to murder, it is an insightful modern example into what has allowed Christianity to become so ubiquitous in our society. Throughout history the Church has repurposed existing practices to fit their needs, ranging from the transformation of winter solstice rituals into celebrations of Christ's birth to the adaptation of spring festivals that coincided with His death.

While I've never been a fan of Christian rock (it seems to me that the musicians in the genre focused more on spiritual inspiration than musical) I go to school with people who do, and from what I've heard the experience is exactly the same as its secular counterpart, only the purpose is seen differently. This is exactly how I imagine the ancient Romans felt when their Saturnalia celebration became Christmas. This is how Christianity has spread throughout the ages.

A point worth mentioning that's escaped the thread so far...

An adult in a relationship with a fourteen-year-old? That's what, eight grade?

I'm sure that she's "saving herself for marriage" (on second thought, they probably don't count anal, oral or manual sex, sigh). But still, that's just a bit beyond the pale.

Imagine if it were two boys or two girls in a relationship and the firestorm the Christian Jihadis would be launching over this one.

Me, I'd say they deserve to be hoisted by their own petard. The movement, that is, not the poor mixed up kids. Well, kid and adult... Christian music CLEARLY is responsible for child-rapists and paricidial manics.

The thing that's a shame is that the Left/Middle is too principled to make this into a cause celebre... Parts of it would be amusing to watch unfold.