Last week I was in a convention center several times and had a chance to watch a large group of teenagers interact with each other before each session. I’ve been a part of such crowds in the past and have even set up the flashing lights and sound equipment that was to be used. Since that time I have heard a lot of things about rock music and the affect that it has on people. I am not boycotting the music entirely but for the moment I’ve stepped back a lot as I explore for myself whether these claims are true. One statement that I have found particularly interesting comes from Matthew Murray, who killed several Christians as a form of revenge in late 2007. This quote is from an e-mail that is attributed to him (abbreviated by WND; full e-mail here):

I have a powerful addiction to a powerful drug that most people in my life don't know about. ... I have found this drug to truly be a force to be reckoned with. This drug can completely alter blood pressure, heart rate, brainwave patterns and other bodily functions. ... This drug will completely control a person's mind, what thought's (sic) they think and their emotions and how they feel. I found that this drug has the power to completely alter a person's religious beliefs, their morality, and their values and their entire lifestyle. … I found this drug to be a powerful driving force and easy gateway into a world of sex, other drugs, rebellion, homosexuality, alcoholism and many other dark things. ... The drug ... is commonly known in our culture as ... Rock Music.

This is a sobering thought and I do not wish to be mastered by anything (I Corinthians 6:12). Because of this, I simply watched as things unfolded in the convention center. Several of the students ran around to give high-fives to whoever paid them any attention or in an effort to start “the wave.” It is strangely ironic in our culture, that has taught a rugged individualism, would raise kids who would be a part of this. Even when you get into Christian circles, it is very popular to preach “all I need is me, my Bible and the Holy Spirit.” This happens despite commands like the ones found in Deuteronomy 6:7 or Matthew 28:19,20 which indicate our beliefs are also passed on from individual to individual. As social creatures we are redundant. We spend a lot of time and energy to teach what we know to others and that doesn’t stop the next person from analyzing everything for himself. It only saves him the time of discovering (by himself) every nuance of how the world works. Life is short. Anyway, even though as people we do have a group mentality, there is (or has been) a strong teaching toward individuality in our American culture. Somehow crowds overcome this and it is even expected that everyone participate. Toss a beach ball out over a crowd and watch what happens. They’ll hit it back and forth and I would almost bet that it will never touch the floor. Everyone is expected to be paying attention to what the group is doing. Then the shouting matches started. Some of the people who were running around to give high fives started one side of the room with “We love Jesus, yes we do. We love Jesus, how ‘bout you?” The other side repeated it, trying to get louder, then it was the first side’s turn again. What in the world? Why would I want to shout at someone asking if they love Jesus after they have just yelled at me that they do? What possible purpose is there to this? Are we that lost for things to do? There were other things that happened too. What do you think? Are crowds a human game board to be played? Even more importantly, is Jesus a cheer leader who has to pump us up or is there something more to our faith? My heart still has to be kindled by God’s Holy Spirit but it is more than emotion. I pray yours is as well.