God forsakes Christian rock concert attendees

[HEyHEY]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080426.wchurch0426/BNStory/National/home

The Baptists were right, if only they hadn't been dancing.

[Speck Tater]

1. The implication is clear: God hates Christian Rock. NT

[HEyHEY]

2. Amen

[Duke Newcombe]

3. Hmm...I'm not sure I see the humor in laughing about 44 people being injured

Duke

[HEyHEY]

5. Laughing? I'm just making a dry point

[Duke Newcombe]

6. Um...okay...sure.

Dry point. I've not hear sarcasm or laughing at misfortune defined like that before.

Duke

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

7. Your concern is duly noted. -nt

[RaleighNCDUer]

10. Take a close look at the concept of 'humor'.

99% is based on the misfortune of somebody else - usually seen as those who 'had it coming to them'.

[Duke Newcombe]

14. Oh, I get the use of the vehicle of "humor"...

...I just don't think this particular use is, well...funny.

Duke

[HEyHEY]

18. I am as god made me

[Duke Newcombe]

20. So say we all, Hey...so say we all. n/t

Duke

[Political Heretic]

22. Not a very good one. :/

[Bigmack]

8. Not badly injured....

.. so not so terrible, really. But you do bring up a point. More people are feeling schadenfreude than ever before.

It's the climate.

A Repub smashing his crotch on a bicycle frame... now that's funny!!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

9. Waitasec. A Repub smashed his crotch on a bicycle frame?

Where? Where? I wanna see it!

[guyanakoolaid]

13. "Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die" - Mel Brooks

[Xenotime]

26. No shit. People here are indifferent to other's suffering. Shame on them.

[JBoy]

4. Must be a big church if they got 1000 people in, without exceeding max. occupancy.

My guess is the church wasn't designed for the mechanical forces imposed by a mosh pit.

[MidwestTransplant]

11. Were they planning to have a gay rights parade? I hear the Lord smites cities who have them.

Glad they are ok

[TomInTib]

12. Do you know why Baptists don't have sex in an upright position?

Someone might see them and think they're dancing.

[Mad_Dem_X]

15. Sorry, I don't see the humor in this

People were hurt, some seriously. I'm not a religious person, but I don't take any joy from an incident like this.

[Iggo]

16. I'm with you, mostly...

...although I do see the black humor aspect of the "god hates christian rock" joke. It's ironic. I get it.

But, I go to rock shows all the time, and the older I get (46 and counting; looking forward to Priest, Sabbath, Motorhead, and Testament Aug 30 in San Bernardino), the more aware I am of catastrophic events that could happen with large crowds or small crowds packed into smaller venues. Whether it's getting squished or trampled in a crowd-surge, burned up in a small club like at that Great White concert a few years back, or walls, floors, roofs, and balconies collapsing...well, I just don't want to go out like that, and I feel really sad when I hear that it happened to others.

As far as I can tell, these people weren't "asking for it." And, like you, I take no joy in their suffering.

[HEyHEY]

17. I see the humour in all things

Of course, I'm a reporter from Vancouver.... and Irish... so take "black humour" and multiply by four.

[Ikonoklast]

28. God forbid you tell these people what the Irish 'funny papers'

Really are.




Dad usually went to them first after the front page, just to check and see if some old foe finally kicked the bucket.

[Iggo]

30. That's funny.

My sainted Gran called them the funny papers, too. This is the same Gran who would spit every time a TV newsman would say "Londonderry" instead of the proper "Derry" back in the '60s. She was fun.

[BobTheSubgenius]

44. I lived in Vancouver for over 20 years.

Great city. On the Island now.

[Dogtown]

38. self delete

sorry....

[Dogtown]

39. not the tragedy

it's the irony that's amusing.



snakebites aren't funny, but add a Xian fundy, bit whilst displaying whatever Xian trait that's supposed to showcase...



oh hell, if you have to explain it...

:evilgrin:

[TexasObserver]

19. God is testing us!

"If he's gonna test us, why doesn't he give us a written?
--- Love and War, Woody Allen

[JBoy]

21. Forehead-slapping update to this story

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=c4122bf6-63df-4060-bd12-affa6e517347&k=46105

Bethany Blois was jumping up and down to the music of Starfield with hundreds of other young people at Central Heights church when she "felt the ground move.

"We were just jumping, and then it kind of felt like we were on a trampoline," Blois told The Vancouver Sun in an interview outside the Mennonite church a day after dozens of people were hospitalized after a 600-square-foot area of the floor caved in.

...

"I was like, 'I'm going to die, I'm going to die,' she said. "But then God told me, he's like, 'No Bethany, you gotta get up and you gotta get out of there'."

...

"God was totally around the building, that's why no one died, because God was protecting everyone," she said. "He had his angels around us."

------------

Apparently God didn't think to tell her to stop jumping up and down.

[and-justice-for-all]

23. nor did gawd bother to tell the preacher the floor was fucked up...nt

[Iggo]

32. And that's another POV on things like this.

A lot of the venues that have rock shows aren't the finest of buildings. Here on the west coast probably built in the '50s and '60s. Back east, I shudder to think...

[EOTE]

37. So, dozens of people injured and she thanks god?

I swear, some people will rationalize ANYTHING. If a comet hit the earth and wiped out the entire southern hemisphere, fundies all over would be thanking god that he, in his infinite wisdom, managed to preserve the earth's 'better half'.

"God was totally in the northern hemisphere tonight, that's why only 3 billion people died, because God was protecting everyone else."

[Dogtown]

40. THAT would have been thoughtfull n/t

[bunkerbuster1]

24. Um, guys? This is a Mennonite church...

You know, the folks who've been consistently anti-war? Those folks?

http://mennos.peacemaking.us/

Going back to a time when most evangelical churches fell into line with Team Bush? Check out this page from Nov. 2002:

http://peace.mennolink.org/articles/mediaadvisory1.html

More Than 17,000 Signatures

A letter to President George W. Bush from Mennonite Church USA Executive Director Jim Schrag calling for nonviolent alternatives to a war on Iraq was accompanied by a six-inch stack of more than 17,000 signatures from Mennonites across the U.S. Schrag, J. Daryl Byler, Director of the Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office who visited Iraq in May, and Susan Mark Landis, Peace Advocate for Mennonite Church USA, delivered the letter and signatures to the White House Sept.12. Mennonite churches continue to send signatures in support of the letter.

In the letter to President Bush, Schrag wrote, "The Mennonite worldwide community of faith works daily to plant peace and nurture justice in contexts of tension and violence. These global relationships, along with our 475 years of history as a Christian church, confirm our conviction that war is not the solution to our present stormy relationship with Iraq. We believe that war will not sow seeds of peace and security. There are workable alternatives to war that will increase security in the Middle East and for the United States."

I appreciate a good slam on the fundies now and again, but given this church and these circumstances... seems pretty fucked up to make a cheap crack at their expense.

[JBoy]

25. The original story link indicates it was a private promoter's concert

who rented the church space. The audience was community-wide.

Still, I agree it's not nice to make fun of the misfortunes of others. (Though I reserve the right to chuckle at "man sticks head in mouth of pet alligator to show how tame he is" stories).

[bunkerbuster1]

27. I missed the bit about the promoter, but it's still a Mennonite Brethren Church

And as evangelicals go, I'd put them among the good guys.

[TheMightyFavog]

29. Pet peeve of mine: Therre is no such thing as Christain "rock"

Call it Contemprary Christian Music, call it praise music, but there is no such thing as Christian "rock".

Rock is all about rebellion, specifically rebellion against established institutions, religion being one of the biggies.

[Echo In Light]

33. I can list several metal bands that espouse the tenets of Christianity

...some are obviously attempting to spread that message, while others simply have elements woven into the tapestry. The idea being that Jesus' story is, in some aspects, one of rebellion and speaking truth to power. Anyway, some of these bands are so 'heavy' that they've been relegated to strictly word-of-mouth, underground status since the 1980s {Saint Vitus, Candlemass, Pagan Alter, Trouble, Revelation, Count Raven, Solitude Aeturnus, Pale Divine, Starchild, Om, to name a few} when they began following in Black Sabbath's footprint, waving that particular flag.

And yes, I do include Sabbath, ostensibly the band to make the most lasting impression on the acid rock genre, which became "heavy metal." The term is in reference to the radioactive particles used in nuclear weapons, as the genre has always focused on and warned of the existential, both theistic and otherwise, elements pertaining to our species penchant for self destruction and mass race suicide, hence the unpopularity with the genre unless it's presented in ridiculous Monster Truck/Pro wrestling fashion {appeals to jock mentality}, or safe, radio-friendly "hair do" bands {appeals to young women who require cute media personas} that sell more tickets because they don't make anyone think about things they're "happier" ignoring.

The poster child for this niche of underground, quasi-Christian heavy metal that began forming in the 80s, Saint Vitus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuBr-g95IPQ

[and-justice-for-all]

35. Candlemass has never been a xtian band...

Trouble has never been either, St. Vitus I doubt.. and yes, I have listened to those bands and both genres.

[Echo In Light]

47. You clearly weren't paying attention. Some examples:

Candlemass:







One day I saw a man
dressed in rags, with a staff in his hand
begging for a penny to survive
How poor a man can be, I gave him hospitality
A room, a bed and lots of food to eat

Still I hear his last few words
"I can never return what you've done
heaven will remember and repay"
Fifty years had gone since I saw him
I was dying and I'd soon be dead
Three angels stood in front of my bed

The first one she said to me, don't be afraid
I'll give you immortality, and grace for your soul
The second had eyes of gold, she gave me my wings
The third gave all wisdom, and angel could give
...to me

I joined with my destiny, eternally
I knew I was born again, an angel to be
A vision beyond my dreams, called me by name
So in devotion I spread my wings, to heaven I had came
...to stay

Samarithan, by Candlemass
-------------------------

On that day, that day of birth
in the morning, the dawn of time
I sat down to rest a moment
when a song came to my mind
As I sat there I could feel it
from within the magic came
With my voice the mountains rose
with my breath came lovely air

With my tears the rain fell down
with the rain came the sea
With my blessing the first rose spread out
with my feelings, innocence

In solitude, a song was born
By magic our dreams were living on
A heart of light was found, it brought delight
to my soul. My faith had made me whole... again

With my song the sun was born
out of darkness giving light
From my heart came love and joy
and all the beauty you could find

With my tears the rain fell down
with the rain came the sea
With my blessing the first rose spread out
With my feelings, innocence

In solitude, a song was born
By magic our dreams were living on
A heart of light was found, it brought delight
to my soul. My faith had made me whole... again

In passion I saw the light
a soul filled with harmony
The creation of a new world
my anthem my symphony

I sat there to watch the dawn
all the birds began to sing
I left my song to rise and grow
It was time for me to go

A Tale of Creation, by Candlemass
===============================

Trouble: Psalm 9



The Skull

This is my body
my sacrifice to you
this is my blood
which shall be shed for your sins
i have come to be the light of the world
not to judge but to save all of you

As darkness sets,
the agony begins
one of you will betray me with a kiss of death
pray that you may not enter into temptation
God gives me strength, I`m going to be crucified

A crown of thorns
and disgraced by scourge
I took up my cross
had to carry it to the skull
do not weep for me, but for you
and your children
Father forgive them for they know not what they do.
Why did we turn our backs on him
how could we let it happen
just stood and stared at the man on the cross
the time will come when we must face life alone.

You got to make up your mind
for what you know is right
let`s not be another face in the crowd
we can do it together

Let us pray
for those who crucify - christ have mercy
for fools who follow fools - christ have mercy
for those who walk in darkness - christ have mercy
and for all of you - Christ will come again.
------------------------------------------

The Misery Shows (Act II)

Sitting here wonderin' 'bout things
That only the Lord knows
Tryin' to feel all the pain you have inside
Misery shows
It doesn't matter how hard you try
It still shows

Please take his hand
The time has come to learn
Please take my hand
Let me take you to learn

I just want to show you
That you don't have to run anymore
I can show you your life has just begun
So many people trying to be free

Like the way it's meant to be
But our lives are filled with pain
Pain and misery
I'm so sorry it ended up this way
Soon the sun will shine on me

Please take his hand
The time has come to learn
Please take my hand
Let me take you to learn

I just want to take you
To places you haven't been before
I can take you will you let me in
====================================

Saint Vitus:







{back cover ... see, it's Jesus}


Here's their protest song against the moronic black metal movement that began to gain momentum in the early to mid 80s:

Prayer For The (M)asses

Everybody wants to know
Where you get off
Thinking that you're bad because
You praise the dogs
Satan's evil you have
Better stay away
Or else with your stupid soul
You will have to pay

You wear your crosses upside-down
It shows that you're a fool
You don't realize
What he's got in store for you

The flames of hell
Burn eternally
They never die
You must think it will be fun
To forever fry

You scorn the good book laugh at me
Say I am an ass
But I'll have the final chuckle
When judgement's passed
I may not rise right away
I am not that pure
But I know I won't follow you
And that's for sure

Prayer for the masses
Pray for their asses
--------------------------

Looking Glass

When is the time to do something about your agony?
Without a dime you can't moan about the way it should be
The passion is there, let it come out naturally
You need not care how others might think you should be

Look at the past, the name of the game was pain
The pleasure don't last, you lost what there was to gain
Hurtin' so many, lovin' so few
The one good thing that you can do
Playing the stars your melodies
Livin's so hard when it's on your knees

You know what's right, and you know that kindness can
It's a mental fight and the winner is a man
Open your eyes, shake your head
Raise your body from the dead
Cold gray haze will never stay
Don't ever let em take your strength away

[and-justice-for-all]

52. I have all those Candlemass albums...

and I also play Candlemass on the synister-radio.com There are bands that use that dark age imagery, but none I would call xtian metal. Specially Candlemass..There is no indication to me that they are such, but they are a Doom Metal band; they call into the same category as Type O Negative & Black Sabbath http://www.doom-metal.com/

The buttons on the Candlemass website seem to do a very unxtian thing..I have listened to alot of xtian metal in my time and I just do not see Candlemass as being such, I will investigate a little further.

[Echo In Light]

54. Again, it's the lyrical content & imagery...why I refer to it as quasi-Christian

Plenty of those themes and spiritual vibes are prevalent with many bands of the stoner/doom genre - and the various offshoots and hybrids - all hearkening back to Black Sabbath, one way or the other, of course. Lately I've been listening to Toner Low, Earthless, Mammatus, Ocean Chief, Spirit Caravan, Om, Pale Divine, Wall of Sleep, and Place of Skulls {those last four especially are overtly Christian metal bands}

http://www.holymountain.com/mammatus.html

http://www.myspace.com/oceanchief

http://www.roadkillrekordz.nl/tonerlow/history.html

http://www.teepeerecords.com/bands/earthless/index.php

[AngryAmish]

53. Danzig and Motorhead, for example

[HEyHEY]

34. Dude, it USED to be - now it is part of the establishment

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

49. You could argue that being a Chrisitian rock band rebels against.....

.....the establishment of rock itself, which is all about sex and drugs.

Just sayin'.

[Echo In Light]

50. The Christian/quasi-Christian metal bands I've cited espouse anti-establishment themes

110% ... the corporate establishment uses manipulation/exploitation, and those properties/qualities became the standard for the corporate culture that dominates everything. Some assimilate unquestioningly, others rebel against it, in their own way, as anti-thought, anti-spirituality. Not that any of those guys are 'saintly' by any stretch of the imagination, nor would they make such an outlandish claim. Definitely lots of drug use in the varied world of underground metal.

[LanternWaste]

31. Guess He doesn't like Who concerts either... n/t

Guess He doesn't like Who concerts either...

[zonmoy]

36. sounds just like something the old villain(god) would do.

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

41. Yup this is High-Larious..

Two people were transported to hospital in Vancouver, and police confirmed one of them, a 41-year-old woman, was reported to have suffered critical injuries. The condition of the second patient in Vancouver wasn't available.

glad you get your chuckles over other people pain..

[HEyHEY]

42. I'll laugh my ass of if you ever get hurt

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

43. Ill not return in kind..

[HEyHEY]

46. Fine.. CHA-UMMMMMMMMMMp!

[gatorboy]

45. I blame that shoddy Canadian carpentry I keep hearing about.

[Tesha]

48. Sounds lik a job for Mike Holmes -- He'd "make it right!"

(With help from DeWalt tools and spray-foam insulation, of course.)

Tesha

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

51. Although I see "Christian" Rock as a form of cult brainwashing, I cannot rejoice

in injuries to these children.

[KamaAina]

55. Hank Hill: "You're not making Christianity better. You're just making rock 'n' roll worse."

:P