We've all seen them, those 'Rock Music Is Of The Devil' booklets so popular with some Christians. GEORGE RUSSELL gives a personal response.

As an educational publisher and FE College lecturer I find a great deal of my time involved in the communication of ideas. In a recent session I have been trying to get students to look critically at information presented to them, particularly in the media. Most people have more than a sneaking suspicion that advertisers and politicians are often 'economical with the truth'. What they don't realise is that all communications tend to be flavoured by the views of the communicator so we all need to learn to distinguish facts from opinions.

Christians are no exception to the rule; the doctrinal slant of the leadership of any organisation will almost certainly be transmitted to the members; few leaders can happily coexist with those having views greatly different to their own. Many leave the church for these reasons. The problem with enforced opinions and the resultant obedient clone collection is that it all too easily encourages total manipulation of the gullible. It is important that people respect leadership but maintain their individual accountability.

One area that is particularly prone to opinionation and manipulation is the music scene. I was recently given yet another booklet informing me of the evils of 'rock music' and "Christian rock' in particular. This booklet was typical of the uninformed, opinionated rubbish that I am trying to get students to recognise and reject. Let's look at some hard facts about these 'rock-knocking' publications.

Almost all of these publications use the same old 'satanic' album covers, attack the same heavy metal "demoniacs' and frequently use the same quotes. It is difficult to decide who is plagiarising whom and with what.

The information supplied in these books is usually out of date. Many of the bands referred to no longer exist; authors are bleating about 'backward masking' when the openly satanic bands are saying it like it is; if you play these records backwards you'll miss the bad stuff!

All of these books viciously oppose those attempting to bring a Christian influence into the genre and encourage others to do so. Many people are opposed to so-called Christian rock because they are influenced by these books and are unable to differentiate between factual evidence and biased opinion. There are some 'Christian rockers' dragging inflated egos about with them, but there are also many whom God has called to minister in this area.

We all like to air our own views, but judgement is actually God's job; he is better qualified to do it because he has all the facts and no biased opinions. These books have attempted to warn about the evil side of this particular music form but have misled many into condemning and discouraging those whom God is using to reach people caught up in the music.

But what is satanic music? Music is not satanic because an occasional nerd in the audience makes the 'devil sign'. A friend was on tour in the USA and treated to a seat at a Dolly Parton concert. I am not going to name him for credibility's sake, but at the end of the gig he saw one lonely hamster-breathed nutcase at the front making 'the sign'. The only metal present was precious not heavy: Ms Parton's jewellery and dental work.

Music is not satanic because it is particularly loud; there is not a special amplitude or frequency band when suddenly the devil tunes in and takes over. I am concerned that some authors claim that certain ethnic (usually African) rhythms are evil; what is evil is the implied racism and presentation once more of biased opinions as fact.

Satanic music is any musical form that is anti-God or encourages disobedience to the laws of God as revealed in the Bible. Music is neutral like radio, television or any other communication medium. What makes music Christian, political or satanic is the lyrical content, the presentation and the underlying spiritual motivation.

In terms of lyrics, there is a wealth of anti-God material in heavy metal particularly with regard to sex, violence and the occasional perversion or suicide references. At the other end of the scale, where possibly many rock-knockers stand musically, we have classical music. After intensive study of this genre, focussing particularly in lyrics and composer lifestyle, I do not see a great deal of difference. A lot of classical music majors on adultery and the occult, with a surprising amount of suicide presented as a spectacular climax!

A major factor in the assessment of music is the lyrics because words have the power to create or destroy; but what about the presentation? The rock image is disturbing to many older people, but it is not the externals that God is interested in; we should therefore be wary of judging on appearances alone. Many rock videos are especially suspect because of the violence or immorality depicted or implied but absence of this doesn't mean that the material is good for the soul. Sometimes the right thing may be said in a hypocritical way.

David Bowie sang a Christian song at the funeral of the late Freddy Mercury. Singing the song didn't make Bowie a Christian, nor did it have any effect on Freddy's eternal destiny; only God knows if we really mean what we say.

How often have you heard people singing their devotion to God, their love for others, their commitment to the Body of Christ... Do their lifestyles match up to what they sing?

I want to challenge the rock-knockers who do read this magazine to examine their motives for doing it. Has God called you to judge others who are ministering in difficult conditions or are you just expressing your opinions?

I want to challenge those who read their books and rejoice in prejudices confirmed. Have you ever asked yourself how much is fact, and how much is opinion?

I have personally been involved in 'music evangelism' for many years, including cabaret, concerts and festivals. I have seen many people set free and lives changed through the ministry of the word of God. There are many performers and workers in the so-called Christian rock scene who are as 'called' as any pastor or minister. Their sole motivation is to serve Jesus and win others; it is a dangerous pastime to criticise those whom the Lord has chosen and anointed to serve him. Let's make a fresh start and determine to uphold all those called to evangelism, particularly those working in rock/heavy metal, areas where the enemy has had a foothold for many years.

There will still be those unconvinced and enjoying prejudices confirmed; to all of you I leave the definitive John 10:10 in perhaps an unfamiliar paraphrase: GET A LIFE! Jn 10:10b (NSV) (Not Seeking Votes)