Marilyn Manson

Who is afraid of Marilyn Manson? It seems that the past year or so many Christians lived their lives centered in Manson fear. Protest was held, prayer groups were organized and there were even marches in the street to rid society of this gothic figure. Christians were appalled and repulsed by this man. Churches took busloads to rally against this evil which was rolling across the country spreading his blasphemous reproaches against God and holiness.

It seemed that everything that deemed itself unholy and vaunted and boasted of itself in evil was credited to Marilyn Manson. The Christian people seemed to forget that there is none righteous, no not one! We are all "sold under sin" (Romans 7:14).

I normally would not write a sermon of this sort but God woke me early and laid this on my heart. This is being written not to condemn Manson. I am not writing this to endorse him either. This letter to you is to bring awareness to God as Father.

I have heard as much about Marilyn Manson and know just as much as I ever want to. Most of my knowledge of him has came from Christian sources. Though I found out later that most of the information I had received was false and made up, out of minds of the insecure. When people are struck with sudden fear their hearts fail them, their faith is weakened and often time they lash out carnally. In fact to loose focus of God's will and to react on our own is sin. So people who went out with good intentions to expose the evil influence of Manson subjected themselves to sin. A person who leans on their own wisdom, or righteousness is in fact only going through the motions of good intentions. When "good intentions" are implied it produces vanity. It is easy at this point to be caught up in the figment of reason more devoutly than the living God.

Christians were angry with Manson for his actions both on and off stage and offended by the message he was spouting forth. What did everyone expect from a person who does not have a relationship with the Father? Manson only does what is of his nature. He is not a born again Christian so he does not have God's nature. God's Spirit has not transformed him and his mind is still carnal, yet to be renewed by the Word of God. Christian people acted as if Manson should be behaving differently than what comes by his sinful nature. When a person invents their own God in their own likeness then they will behave to only please that man-made God which they have created in their own image. Here is a man who is behaving unseemly and doing things, which Christian people are sickened by but at one time these same Christian people were under the same influences because of sin. I have something in common with Manson. I was once lost too. I once was under the curse, a slave to sin, bound in chains of darkness, living my life as an empty vessel. I am a sinner saved by grace. The only thing that separates me from being just like Marilyn Manson is Jesus Christ in my life. Jesus Christ has changed the corruptible in me to righteousness through grace by his faith.

When I saw the Christian protest rally's on TV I was sadden. If I were Marilyn Manson these people shouting and holding up signs would have not moved me. It would not have made me draw closer to God but would have repelled me as insect spray does to the fly. I witnessed what appeared to be a mob scene. Christians taking Marilyn Mason personally. I not only witnessed anger but hate spewing from the protesters. There were some that seemed to allow themselves to be conducted by the Holy Spirit. However Manson himself seemed to be controlling the larger portion of the protesters demonstrated by their own actions. He even confessed that he fed off their protest.

John 8:7 "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone." In this scripture we see the religious of Jesus day drag a women to the feet of Jesus and exposed her sin to all that stood around. "The same type of people who shouted at Manson and held the protest signs." What did Jesus tell the women after the men had left ashamed? "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." Why didn't Jesus condemn her as Moses had commanded? Because Jesus had come to save that which was lost!

Who did Jesus die for? He did not die for the Holy, the Righteous, and the Pure in Heart. He died for the sinner! He died for people just like Marilyn Manson. Jesus came to do his Father's will, which was restoring the relationship that had been lost.

The only way to combat evil principalities, rulers of darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places is by prayer! Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."

Christians became so preoccupied with defending their youth against the wiles of Marilyn Manson that they forgot how to worship God. People were trying to stop a spiritual force by human means. The battle is not fought on the street, in front of an arena, or at a protest rally. The war is waged in the spirit.

While Christians brought media attention to Manson's freak show his album sells soared to heights he would not have reached without the help from the religious community. In fact because of the religious community I would attribute at least 2 million more sells to his cause. The church became a selling tool for this evil work. Why? Because people did not approach this according to scripture!

So what will the Christians do the next time an Ozzy Osborne, Alice Cooper, 9 inch Nails, Danzig or a King Diamond raises their demonic head on the scene? They will probably get out the cardboard and markers and load up on church buses and rush off to another protest rally.

In Christ Jesus,

Dale Thompson