jason evans

The Kominas, a Muslim punk band from NYC. Their MySpace tagline? "I fought Allah and Allah one." Nice. Controversial in the Muslim community it seems but interesting tunes to say the least. I'm intrigued. Check 'em out.

HT: 30Mosques

As you can see from my other post, I've really been getting into Soft Focus with Ian Svenonius. Ian was in the D.C. band Make-Up–who, along with James Brown, greatly inspired the stage antics of Matt Casper's former band, Hell Yeah (I played for them for awhile). His newest musical project is Weird War. Weird War has performed on the most awesome kid's show, Pancake Mountain and Brendan Canty's documentary series, Burn to Shine. Ian has interviewed a ton of great punk artists on his show. And Svenonius is hilarious! Check it out! Here's another one with Mike Watt. I love how down to earth Watt is.

It looks like Ian Svenonius of Soft Focus has got wind of Dan and mine idea of the prophetic nature of punk rock–specifically in Ian MacKaye. Here's an interview with Ian MacKaye. Check it out (specifically towards the end at 7:15):

"I am an anarchist in my personal life. I try to live my life in a way that I don't need cops or baby-sitters to keep me from infringing on others. But I don't feel we have evolved far enough as a species to make anarchy work in society itself. We still need government to transfer the wealth from those who have too much to those who have too little, to make sure important projects get done, and keep territorial humans from screwing over and killing each other." — Biafra, Jello (2000)

Sweet!

For years, I have thought about writing down some of my perspectives on punk rock ethics and Christian spirituality. I am now 32 years old. I have now lived as long with punk rock as I did without it in my life. I have grown more and more interested in it as time has gone on. It wasn't just "a phase".

I grew up, got married, had children and found the things I learned through punk to continue to inform my thinking and help me make sense of the world. I am now raising two children. I share with them what I have learned from both theology and my punk rock ethic daily. The two of these intertwined have assisted in helping me come to several conclusions about my spirituality that are presumably far outside of the norm of contemporary Christian culture. This probably isn't surprising. But what may be is that I am convinced that the coalesce of these ideals informing my head, heart and hands has led me back to the heart of the message of Scripture. I think several punk bands, now and then, have several points worth reflecting on if you are a follower of Jesus in the Western world. So, that is why I am writing this.

I decided to start with some thoughts on the seminal punk band, Bad Religion. Particularly, I'm focusing on their song, "American Jesus" from the album, Recipe for Hate. The lyrics to "American Jesus" can be found here and you can find the mp3 here.

The first time I saw a cross-buster, I was in junior high. Even then I knew that there was something very provocative about this emblem. I quickly came to realize that this design was associated with a band called, Bad Religion. A name, equally, as provocative. I grew up in a conservative, evangelical Christian home. The name and the image were overtly offensive to the community I was associated with. But I didn't find these things offensive. It made me curious as well as a little sad. "Have we done something that has given reason to these gestures?" I thought. The music was enticing to me as well. Fast, aggressive riffs and rhythm along side well-harmonized and thought provoking lyrics. My music collection was quickly filled with punk and hardcore music.

About a year ago I was watching this legendary band play in downtown San Diego near where I live. They ended their show with "American Jesus." At the peak of the song the audience chanted along in mocking tone "In God We Trust" , taunting the religious establishment that had reared many of us. But instead of cringing, I got chills. Because I think Bad Religion is actually right about alot of things said in the song "American Jesus" as well with many of their songs.

I can understand Graffin's cynicism. When I read signs that state, "God Bless America", I wonder, Why us? What's so special about this place? There is a stigma that has evolved not only here in the West but in the minds of people all over the world that Christianity is distinctly tied to Western ideas and an affluent, unsustainable lifestyle. If that is what Christianity is then I agree with Bad Religion; it deserves ridicule. But could it be that the intentions of the Scriptural story and legacy of the early Church had a whole other intent besides Christendom?

Four years ago we met a family of refugees from Somalia. Over time we became friends. One day, we dropped by to visit our new found friends. A leader from the mosque they attend was visiting as well. He and I were introduced to each other and began to talk about Islam and Christianity.

"You are a Christian?" he said.
"I am," I replied.
"You want this family to be Christian?" he asked me.
"Do you think they want to be Christians?" I asked back.
"No." he quickly remarked.
"Why?" I inquired.
"We all serve the same God," he said.
I was surprised.
He continued, "Christianity is for white people. Poor black people can't afford to be Christian."

I don't know about you but this bothers me. How did a religion that started in the middle east, around the message and life of a poor, middle eastern man develop into an ideology of elitism? When I interact with people like this, I realize that it doesn't really matter what I think about this. The rest of the world clearly thinks something else. The question is, what can I do to change things and am I willing to do it?

The criticism of Christianity voiced by punk artists such as Bad Religion can seem appalling to some but it can also be interpreted as prophetic. Just as the prophets of old challenged the people of God to turn from their idolatrous ways, punk rock has often challenged Christians to do the same. The Kingdom of God is not aligned with a particular nation state. Who do we follow? The god of affluence and consumer capitalism? Or the God of the Kingdom Jesus announced?

More to come.