Apparently because of controversial artwork, P.O.D.'s new album won't be carried by most Christian bookstores, according to a report by MTV. Honestly, I don't know what I think about this. I suppose that retailers have the right to refuse a product, and the band was given an opportunity to change the artwork but refused.
This really drives home something I sometimes struggle with: does "Christian" music exist to challenge and inspire, and hopefully point people to God? I hope so. But many want to make it be a "safe alternative" to so-called secular music.
But what if it's challenging and inspiring, but also offensive to some? Does that mean that it needs to be guarded against? Is it not "safe" at that point? And if an artist finds success outside of the Christian bookstore circuit, is it no longer "Christian"?
If you can't tell, this isn't the first time I've thought about this...
(link via speakergeek)
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December 11, 2003
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Daniel Diaz, the guy who painted the cover responds to the ban here:
http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=215886
Posted by: Dennis | December 15, 2003 at 11:07 AM
I was able to get a version of this album with bonus DVD. In the DVD P.O.D. mention their belief and trust in the Creator God quite openly. It also has a segment on the artist who designed the cover, and why. The winged figure is to represent the rebirth, and the artist says (loosely quoted) "I wanted something beautiful, so I used my wife as a model". There is nothing controversial about that!
Another note, in the credits of the CD, Truby (P.O.D.'s guitarist for those that don't know) specifically mentions all parts of the trinity.... "God the Father; God the Flesh, Jesus, the only name by which mankind can be with God; God the Holy Spirit who reveals the truth and reminds us of ot when we fail". So if people are doubtful of who P.O.D. are representing, this should clear up doubts.
I think my point here is that if people were to do a little research and look with an open mind, they would see why the album looks as it does.
Posted by: Skwid | December 11, 2003 at 10:39 PM