Monday, July 31, 2006
Bush with a Bible
It seems that Christian rap has invaded the Land of the Bard.
On one hand, the idea of former gang members becoming Christian rappers is kind of appealing. Rapping about Jesus instead of 'hos and killing cops is a definite improvement. And envisioning Christian rappers performing in ultra-secular London is downright amusing.
Truce, an American evangelical Christian organization, is sponsoring the group, whose leader is Nicky Cruz, a former leader of the New York gang Mau Mau. The rappers serve as missionaries, attempting to draw in the gangs of east London.
Sounds fine on the surface, doesn't it? Until you learn that, in comments on his Web site, Cruz says that "being homosexual is just as much a handicap as being hooked on junk" and lesbians are "God's lost sheep," among other things. He kind of sounds like another bigoted Reggie White, minus the jock strap. I can't blame the English for being upset that "the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming," and they're using public funds to promote a homophobic, anti-choice message.
Terry Stewart, of Hackney Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual Independent Network, said: "We want to know why public funds are being used to bring evangelical organisations over to deliver services that the Met and the local authority should be providing. He is Bush with a Bible." Amen, brother. And welcome to our last five years.
On one hand, the idea of former gang members becoming Christian rappers is kind of appealing. Rapping about Jesus instead of 'hos and killing cops is a definite improvement. And envisioning Christian rappers performing in ultra-secular London is downright amusing.
Truce, an American evangelical Christian organization, is sponsoring the group, whose leader is Nicky Cruz, a former leader of the New York gang Mau Mau. The rappers serve as missionaries, attempting to draw in the gangs of east London.
Sounds fine on the surface, doesn't it? Until you learn that, in comments on his Web site, Cruz says that "being homosexual is just as much a handicap as being hooked on junk" and lesbians are "God's lost sheep," among other things. He kind of sounds like another bigoted Reggie White, minus the jock strap. I can't blame the English for being upset that "the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming," and they're using public funds to promote a homophobic, anti-choice message.
Terry Stewart, of Hackney Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual Independent Network, said: "We want to know why public funds are being used to bring evangelical organisations over to deliver services that the Met and the local authority should be providing. He is Bush with a Bible." Amen, brother. And welcome to our last five years.
Roberta 8:30 PM