Youth Ministry & Bigotry
I've tweeted several posts today that demonstrate some of the bigotry inherent within the Church which is finding its way into our youth ministry efforts. It seems to be the running theme of the day as I came across this post at the "Samwise the Brave" blog about Christian artist Derek Webb's soon-to-be-released album. Apparently the song in the video above, "What Matters More" has caused quite a bit of controversy. You can see why when you read the lyrics below (which seem to be, in part, inspired by a Tony Campolo remark. See below). If we had more Christian music like this, I might listen to it more often:
You say you always treat people like you like to be
I guess you love being hated for your sexuality
You love when people put words in your mouth
‘Bout what you believe, make you sound like a freak
‘Cause if you really believe what you say you believe
You wouldn’t be so damn reckless with the words you speak
Wouldn’t silently conceal when the liars speak
Denyin’ all the dyin’ of the remedy
Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?
If I can tell what’s in your heart by what comes out of your mouth
Then it sure looks to me like being straight is all it’s about
It looks like being hated for all the wrong things
Like chasin’ the wind while the pendulum swings
‘Cause we can talk and debate until we’re blue in the face
About the language and tradition that he’s comin’ to save
Meanwhile we sit just like we don’t give a shit
About 50,000 people who are dyin’ today
Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?
For more on the controversy between the songwriter and his label and what is happening with the album (they are releasing a censored and an "authorized" version), check here. So, what do you think?
Update: Don't miss this post about the above song with tons of responses, all debating the use of the word "shit" in the lyrics. I had to laugh, as it perfectly illustrates the point of the song: We Christians sit around debating and arguing the most pointless things while children are dying of hunger, the enviroment is being destroyed, and our own wars continue to kill the innocent. Where is the priority when it comes to what we teach our youth?
Update #2: Some friendly atheists have joined this discussion over Tony Campolo, cussing, and Christianity.
-Brian
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