D Webb back in the action of controversy

This has nothing to do with Uganda, so just skip this post if you're just tracking my trip....

Some of you may already be up to date on the Derek Webb news, but for those of you that like him and haven't heard, let me catch you up a bit. So he sends out these email updates to his listserv this past summer and both of them sound incredibly shady. He was saying things to the effect of, "they're trying to shut it down, but I will get this album to you!" You can google it if you're really interesting. But he basically had to shut down his entire site and post-pone his CD release because his record label found a certain song way too controversial. And of course, Derek refers to this particular song as "the most important on the album." In the emails, he could not tell us what the issue was so as you may imagine, we were waiting in suspense to see what the big deal was.

Well, he did it! Its out! Here's the song lyrics:

You say you always treat people like you like to be

I guess you love being hated for your sexuality

You love when people put words in your mouth

'Bout what you believe, make you sound like a freak

'Cause if you really believe what you say you believe

You wouldn't be so damn reckless with the words you speak

Wouldn't silently consent when the liars speak

Denyin' all the dyin' of the remedy

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?

Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

If I can tell what's in your heart by what comes out of your mouth

Then it sure looks to me like being straight is all it's about

It looks like being hated for all the wrong things

Like chasin' the wind while the pendulum swings

'Cause we can talk and debate until we're blue in the face

About the language and tradition that he's comin' to save

Meanwhile we sit just like we don't give a shit

About 50,000 people who are dyin' today

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?

Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

So in case you didn't pick up on it, the controversy is about #1. the subject matter being homosexuality and #2. the use of the word 'shit' from a "christian musician."

Is it bad that this cracks me up???

An important point that has been pointed out is the fact that D. Webb is not condoning homosexuality. He has said previously that he, in fact, does not think homosexuality is something we should ignore, nor does he think Jesus was okay with it. What he is dealing with is the way in which Christians deal with the sin of homosexuality--as if it is the only thing that matters, as if we understand what people are dealing with and feeling, with no mercy or compassion. As if we think its just about this "awful act they are committing" instead of SO much more. But I think the main point is that we act like this "issue," this "sin," is the only thing that matters sometimes, or as if this issue along with abortion, drinking, and cursing are the only ones that matter to Jesus or something.

And as for "shit"-- I'm sorry but I just don't think the word "crap" would have had the same effect if he used that instead. Sometimes, when used artistically or to make a point, there are only certain words that can get a certain point across. I could write an entire post on the use, effects, and perspectives on curse words, but I'll save that for another day.

So there's some fun things to be thinking about.....