When I was eleven, I went to my first rock concert. I went to see the Newsboys in Pittsburgh with my church youth group. During the concert , a bunch of us moshed. It was a weak approximation, culled from images seen on MTV. Let’s just say, the Newsboys weren’t exactly Minor Threat.
Riding home in my mom’s Caravan that night, we listened to the local Christian talk radio station (WORD FM!), only to hear irate callers decrying the sins of moshing. It felt awesome.
Apparently we’re still having this discussion.
Raw physicality and self-inflicted pain are dominate themes. The testosterone level is palpable. It’s choreographed antisocial aggressive behavior. There are good reasons why heavy metal concerts have been called the “sensory equivalent to war.” Bruised and bloodied bodies leave concerts high on animal carnality and social disregard. Would we find Jesus at a heavy metal concert? Perhaps. But his face would be strewn with tears.
BAWWW!!!
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