The Freaky Origins of Christian Rock

I came across an article titled The Freaky Origins of Christian Rock.  It is about the beginnings of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM).  It was interesting to read where CCM has sprouted from.  Kinda scary, actually.

I am a product of my teenage brother's and sister's music from the 70's.  I was still in elementary school back then.  With three teens in the house, there was constant music.  My brothers and sister had a ton of albums and 8-tracks, and I listened right in with them.  Name just about any song from the 70's and I will be able to sing at least a little bit of it.  I remember sitting on my big brother's bed with my next oldest brother and little brother listening to our older brother's Cheech & Chong album.  We laughed and laughed and laughed and listened to that album over and over.  I'm sure we missed a lot of the "real" humor of the album, and I cringe when I think of the things, like this album, that I was exposed to at so young an age.

Moving on to the 80's and my own teenage years, I continued to be steeped in secular music.  I listened AND taped Casey Kasem's Top 40 every Sunday afternoon, and the Top 100 Countdown on New Year's Day.  I watched Solid Gold, American Bandstand, MTV and Entertainment Tonight.  I lived and breathed the stuff.  Again, name a song, and I can probably sing it for you.  My husband makes fun of me because I can sing along with the muszak at the grocery store.  What can I say.....it's a special gift?????

When our first son was born, I found I didn't have the heart to listen to secular music anymore.  It just seemed wrong to expose him to the lyrics, music and culture that could bring nothing to him.  I segued into CCM, but have become increasingly disillusioned with this music and it's representatives.  Take a look at the band Kutless.  If you didn't know any better, you would look at those boys and probably label them as a secular band.  I mean, they look just like one.  Look at the band Stellar Kart.  Ugh.  I cringe looking at those boys.  I'm sure they're very sweet and all, but what are they doing that is any different than a secular band?  Both of these bands are opening in the Newsboys current tour.  I mean, it LOOKS as if they are trying to emulate the secular bands.  Their music sounds like a secular band, they look like a secular band.  They've just changed up their lyrics to mention God.  Is that it????  Is that all they have to give?  They look like the rest of the chaff. 

I have no desire for my children to try to emulate a bunch of boys and girls who can think of nothing better to do than to emulate secular bands in everything but their lyrics.  Aren't we called to be set apart?  And yes, there are other CCM artists who don't look quite as scary as the boys in the above-mentioned bands do.  I understand that.  But in so many ways, if you look into their lives, and the award shows they all attend, again, it seems like more imitations of the ways of the world.  One evening, I tuned into the Dove Awards and was shocked and amazed to see dancers in scanty costumes dancing around the stage to a Christian song.  I've never watched it again.  It was just too much. 

So....I will not encourage my children to listen to CCM.  I feel as if I have no choice.