Music Discussions

Let me start out by stating that I have nothing against religion. I was a religion minor in college, and am myself a Christian. However, either Jack Chick is a nut-job or he is being satirical and no one gets it. How does Jack Chick relate to a blog about music? Read on and find out.

Some time ago, Jack Chick release a comic called "Angels?" about a Christian band that had a poor following and was really struggling. A manager / promoter named Lew approaches them one night and says that, if they sign with him, he can make them famous. Reluctantly, they sign and – while they do become famous – they turn to drugs, homosexuality, and yes, even vampirism.

Chick makes it clear that all of these things are a result of signing the contract with the devil. However, there are some huge logical fallacies with this "reasoning". First, you have to believe that there are demonic forces trying to ruin peoples’ lives; we humans can screw up our own lives quite well without assistance. Second, this view removes culpability from the band members (and others) for their wrong-doings. Third, while drugs have seriously ruined the lives of many people – including musicians – I think that peer pressure, boredom, and the "everyone else is doing it" mentality are far more likely causes than some malicious spirit. Homosexuality is not a lifestyle that people choose, but an inherent part of who they are. The devil could not make the band member choose to be gay; lumping homosexuality with drug use implies that there is something wrong with it and that it kills people or ruins society. Finally, vampirism, seriously? Apparently Jack Chick believes in Vampirism.

Most people – even most Christians – accept that bad things happen for no reason reason. For instance in the book of Job, it makes it quite clear that Job did not hing wrong, yet he was still beset by plagues. I guess that Chick would rather believe that real-life musicians with problems did something (other than make bad life choices or have bad luck) to screw up their lives. Maybe it helps him sleep better at night believing that he is not responsible for the bad choices he has made and can pass the buck on to the devil. Who knows?

A couple of things are evident from reading this tract though. For starters, Chick seems to have a negative view towards musicians. He portrays them as stupid as they did not notice anything unusual when their manager introduced himself as Lew Siffer and that they have to sign the contract in blood, amoral as they are more than willing to change what they stand for at the drop of a hat, and corrupt as they will do anything for money and fame. Chick also seems to hate music as he indicate s that all music – even Christian music – is suspect at best but probably a tool of the devil. Speaking of the devil, I find it ironic that Lew agrees with Chick and tells the homosexual band member that he is forbidden from marrying his boyfriend.

I have often wondered why Chick would have these views of music and musicians but have been unable to come up with any ideas. Could Chick have wanted to be a musician when he was younger, but his attempt failed? If so, does he now hate the industry that shunned him? Did he date a musician and the relationship ended so badly that now he despises everyone who plays an instrument? Maybe he just does not like art – although from his "tract record" (pun intentional), he does not seem to like science all that much either. It could be that he is just a hateful man who derives pleasure from attacking everyone who is different from him.

In any case, if you would like to read more about Jack Chick’s insanity, I have also written about Jack Chick’s views on role-playing. Also, be sure to check out the parody tract "Darque Dungeon". It is a parody of "Dark Dungeons", has references to music and role-playing, and is one of my favorite imitation tracts.