nycdave wrote:
Wheelman, IMHO this has been a fun thread that you started. Of course you have a right to express concern about something that upsets you. Even if I disagree with you, I will always defend your right to express your concerns. That you would choose to do it in a primarily Furthur music based website is curious, however since you placed it in the General Discussion (Topics not covered in other forums) area, it's all good. I am still not convinced that you are not stirring things up just to stir stuff up, however I will take you at your word that your concerns are genuine. Religious organizations have a way of expressing moral indignation about stuff that creates more danger than the issue at hand. By doing so (in this case) you maybe giving Keisha more credit then she deserves. For any artist, bad publicity is better then none at all.
How do you feel about the Rolling Stones song Sympathy for the Devil. Phil & Friends covered this song one halloween, but that is neither here not there. If you are serious about being a god fearing christian and serving the lord the best you can, I would challange you to think through how you go about doing that. Exressing outrage because a teen pop star wears satanic symbols is fun and all, but...
Religious values that focus on positive stuff can be a healthy thing, for some people. In this day and age, religious intolorence for percieved threats to the world can cause more harm than good. Your own intolorence for Keisha is not that big of a thing, but I would humbly suggest that you could find better things to either get upset about or focus on. A nod towards more positive stuff is my recomendation, but who am I to tell you how to act.
If we walk together, little children
We don't ever have to worry
Through this world of trouble
We gotta love one another
Let us take our fellow man by the hand
Try to help him to understand
We can all be together, forever and ever
When we make it to the promised land
I remember my first show w/ Jerry, Summer '84 Jer Band in Long Island. I wasn't welcomed into the scene. Up and down the side isles and around the back. It didn't take long for the crowd to open up, relatively. Second show, patience brought opening after opening. Flowing through the crowd like so many without bumping, but softly. Careful and considerate of one another. Yes, take your fellow by the hand. To all with an open mind, we find things in our lives that we must exclude for our own health, and even the health of our fellows. When I was adamantly apposed to cocaine, I was more of a rock of support to my friends w/ serious habits, than as a friend w/ acceptance of the substance. I love the open forum of the Grateful Dead scene. We were representing and accepting, sometimes w/o judgement, sometimes with. Try judgement w/ a center of, "It's my best opinion, open to change." As a brother in the ways of Jesus Christ, I appreciate having other brothers and sisters who are open to Christ, and Deadheads, a title I accepted after Jerry died. To each their own, however, if one is heading for a pit I'll point it out; if they fall in I'll put out a hand. The devil is a character I put no credence in until he showed up in a dream and held my attention w/o my being able to wake. I had heard of such experience, as a friend had such nightmares in college. I prayed to the forces of light, the Father of Jesus. Light filled the dream around the devil's face, and he was strong enough to hold the light from taking over completely. He rode from my dream in a carriage. Quintessential. Certainly believe what you want, check it out thoroughly, remain open. I can not decide for another what is an imagined source of man and what is GOD's. I can say I've been physically moved in prayer for direction and moved w/o my desire and beyond my control. Growing up I was not comfortable w/ the word God as the hypocrisy was overwhelming the story. Now I know the story, having read the book beginning till end several times, several versions, and ex-canonical works and perspectives of the Cannon. Clearly, we are all God's children, some closer to the Truth than others. Some people do not recognize that the truth is available. After all, recognizing there is a truth is a philosophical milestone. Many people believe there is only perception . . . The sound of a tree falling in a forest does not require human presence to make a sound. The sound of one hand clapping is a lonely sound. I like my bad company, better than no company. Although I consider starting fresh w/o all the lies, manipulation, and brainwashing. The level of manipulation by those in power is extreme through the technology, media censorship, and bottom line. Are the inbred bloodlines of the world's less than 1% confused, selfish, and afraid? Are they maintaining control? Are they lead by selfish or altruistic motivation? It seems obvious to me, conspiring is a necessity of those in control. It's just good business sense. Being aware of the powers that be do not make for an easier row to hoe. Perhaps easier is not the goal. Stand firm in the good. To say there is no good w/o evil is like saying their is no statement w/o interruption. Good luck w/o luck is good fortune. Keep God first and serve. peace
