Music promoter Rick Hendrix makes a run for Congress; do music and politics mix?

OK, I'll bite, even though I am not a Christian (or a member of any other faith).

I am a big fan of metal, hardcore, punk, and other styles of hard rock, and I am really into the hardcore/metalcore scene. There happen to be many Christian bands (i.e. Underoath, As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red, Haste the Day, Norma Jean, etc.) in that scene and they frequently tour with secular bands in the scene (i.e. Atreyu, Unearth, Every Time I Die, Hatebreed, Throwdown, Shadows Fall, A Life Once Lost, etc.), and many kids in that scene like both Christian and secular bands, whether the kids themselves are Christian or not. On Ozzfest, you can frequently see Christian bands playing alongside secular ones and most kids don't really seem to know the difference.

That being said, I enjoy many secular bands. I also happen to enjoy many Christian bands, not because I am into the Christian message, because I am into the music. Similarly, I like some bands with left-wing political views (i.e. Anti-Flag, Rise Against) and some bands with more right-wing political views (i.e. Avenged Sevenfold). To me, all that matters is if I like the music. If a musician that I listen to ran for political office, I would still listen to their music, regardless of what I thought of their political platform. If a musician I like runs for a political office on a platform I largely agree with, I think that's awesome. If a musician I like runs on a political platform I largely disagree with, I won't support their campaign, but I will still listen to their music. If a musician I really dislike runs on a political platform I agree with, I will support their candidacy but that wouldn't convince me to start listening to their music.

I guess I keep my opinions of musicians as musicians and musicians as people separately. For instance, my favorite band is Metallica. I think they are awesome musicians but greedy, money-grubbing people (remember the Napster episode?).

Why would a democrat even attempt to be Christian? I mean hello abortion and gay marriage? These are huge issues facing our country.

They say the safest way to keep people happy is, “Never talk about politics or religion.” I break half of these rules every week since my columns are almost always about religion. I am about the break the other half of the rule.

When most Evangelicals discover that I often vote for Democrats they go ballistic—including my students if they discover it (they’re about to). The joke on our campus is “The Young Democrats club will meet in the closet on the second floor of the food center—unless the other member can’t come.” Same is true for faculty. One faculty member I used to teach with (now deceased) once told me, “If you hear that I teach you can’t be a Christian and vote for a Democrat it isn’t true—I think it is possible.” (I always thought was saying under his breath, –“about as possible as a Camel getting through the eye of a needle”) I don’t know many Christians who vote for Democrats. The same is true for most evangelical churches—they are almost exclusively Republican—the “Christian party.”

So when people find out I often vote for Democrats they are aghast—as if I have confessed to doing abortions on weekends. This is especially true of my students who have been raised “since Ronald Reagan” and thus have never known a time when most all the Christians they know were not stanch Republicans. It doesn’t fit in their schema of things. (The 1960’s to them are as ancient history as 1919, and most don’t even know about Richard Nixon any better than President Buchanan.) I usually don’t try to defend myself and I won’t be able to with this piece either. It is an almost-hopeless situation in the current atmosphere. But recently I did answer an email and state my “apology” for being a Democrat. I am not trying to convince anybody—just setting out my personal views which most every other evangelical thinks are wrong. But I am not “wrong” because I am ignorant and have not thought about it. I have tried to develop a careful position rooted in my faith. You may disagree on where I come out, that’s fine. Do your own homework—make a list of issues as I have done and decide where the Bible and your faith lead you. If you do that you’ve satisfied me for I think our faith should inform our politics, not the other way around.

So, to my tenzillion Republican friends who can’t imagine how a person might be a Christian and vote for a Democrat, (and to my three Democrat friends who are hiding under the pews in our churches)

I emailed Rick Hendrix concerning his position on abortion... I asked permission. here was his response...

Mindy,
I truly appreciate your email. As a Democrat I feel our job is to provide and protect the weak, to build stronger relations between the system and the people. And I cant find many things weaker than an unborn fetus to protect. So, I feel I am in a position to protect the weak, and my values and interest are not changed by red or blue states, Dem or Republican- I appreciate a Mother and Father that made a choice to uphold Gods creation and allow me the chance to serve our great country.

Please stay in touch

Rick Hendrix

You cant vote for him if you live in Kentucky! Only NC folks. That would explain why he is against abortion. No one is stupid enough to go into those hills with any BLUE blood anywhere in their viens,

Hey all, great discussion, but let's try and keep to the music question (before we veer off totally to a red/blue only discussin, LOL):

If your favorite music artist turned out to support political party from your views, would that affect whether or not you purchased their music? What if a band supported your political views? Would you support their music? And should Christian music and politics ever mix?

Remember, we're not talking about Rick Hendrix specifically. Just using his announcement to launch a general discussion.

Thanks!
Joanne
host of the GospelSoundcheck blog

I think it's very telling that he's standing there with the man who is the embodiment of everything NON-Christian. He's unfaithful to his wife, he lies, he cheats, and is a complete egomaniac. It's all about HIM, even now. Yes, Jesus was with the publicans and sinners and yes, Rick is too. Whether he joins in with what they are doing is something only he and God knows. I do think in this case, you are known by the company you keep. If Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid like you, and Bill and Hillary are comfortable with you, you need to examine yourself.

Music, people, let's stick to MUSIC and politics ...

Joanne
host of the GS blog

Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (KJV)

Good or not-he cant mix music and politics. It doesnt work. I can only hope he finds the light switch in his head soon..and turns it on.

Name one artist that will hand out abortion discount cards at their Christian concerts? Name one church that will let him slide in and sell the flock to HELL

I heard the buzz on the Hill is Hendrix could pull a Heath Shuler and win his congressional seat on the first try. He knows how to play the press, build the hype and win favor. Just like Shuler did.

Bev, someone here in the comments section actually asked his office and got a response, which they posted.

Why do you only want to know Rick Hendrix's positions on abortion and gay marriage? How about taxes and the military and immigration and school vouchers?

Joanne
host of the GS blog

I am an axe-murderer. I love the Lord. I dont see the point you are making Marg? God loves all of us for who we are. I think Mr Hendrix is thinking outside the box. He doesnt fit the typical holy moly that has kept axe-murderer Christians from serving God publicly. So, maybe he will fight for all of us. (Ridiculous, I know)

Homosexuality is considered a sin by God. He doesn't leave that one up for debate any more than He leaves murder. Does he love murderers and gays? Yes. Does He require that they repent? Yes. Faith without works is dead, says James the Just. And Christians who have no intention of repenting from their sin aren't really Christians but are goats who have fooled themselves into thinking they are sheep.