One of my many holdups from my former faith, is that I still really like alot of the old Christian bands I used to listen to. Underoath, Norma Jean, Demon Hunter (cheezy I know), Living Sacrifice, and mewithoutYou—the list goes on and on. These bands always spoke to me, most of them have a lyrical content that shows frustration with the Church, like I always did and speaks to the hardships of attempting to live a lifestyle that is pleasing to God. One such band is Norma Jean, and they just put out a new album titled Vs. The Anti-Mother.
I just wanted to share with you some of the lyrics from one of the songs on the Anti-Mother, that I feel can speak volumes. The song is titled Vipers, Snakes, and Actors:

Carry your flags, march into that fictional cause and show off that medal
Just don’t reach for that gun
Reach for that gun
Carry that banner, build that heart out of stone
Just don’t reach for that gun
You scaled the high horse and I felt the change
I know the difference between you and me
You cleaned the outside of your chalice but it’s filled with robbery
And self indulgence…Just like the rest of us
You wear that cross like a crown. You wear that cross like a dagger
Come down from that tower,
Nothing will be the outcome.
Nothing is the outcome

Thanks to www.Darklyrics.com for the lyrics btw

So these lyrics really bring me back to the way i felt about the church while I was still a Christian…and don’t get me wrong here, though my desire to please God was nearly beyond comprehension, I too was a part of the problem. I am not just pointing fingers here. They talk about the boastful and prideful Christian here; with a stone cold heart, a polished exterior but an interior full of deceit (the Chalice), boasting about his ministry and accomplishments (the medal) and missionary works (often missions are “fictional causes”). My favorite part is, “You wear that cross like a crown. You wear that cross like a dagger.” I know alot of those Christians, I’m sure you do too…if you don’t you might be it. I think the Crown represents that boastfulness, the dagger–I think that represents the common theme among some Christians, that they are persecuted for the hypothetical cross they bear. I know alot of that persecution was all in my head.

Do I really have a concrete point here? I’m not sure…I just think that anyone who reads this should think about it. I guess if there is a statement I want to get across here it is this; That I am not claiming to be perfect here, I don’t believe I have all the answers, but I do know that Religion has nearly none of them. As you can tell, I am still sorting alot of things out…so don’t take my posts or comments as attacks on your person or good intentions, just attacks on the logic of religion.

If you are interested in buying the album, or any of the bands that i like, check out the store link at the top of the page, or just click on the album cover to be directed to Amazon where you can buy it.