If I sound like an angry self-righteous religious fanatic, perhaps it's because you've got a Texas-sized cockroach up your ass over Christianity. You strike me as a wimp who never really quite "got it." Ironically, Stryper once touted "don't look at us as the example, look at Christ as the example." This is true, if you seek salvation through idolatry. Satan has you right where he wants you. Let me know what Mike thinks of that half-witted "Real Christian" attitude of yours.
i just never understood the against the law era? they said they were put in that christian box by everyone, but nobody ever told them to do that, then they just were so against the whole yellow n black stuff n tryin to be more edgy, i love stryper, but just not sure wat made them come back to their roots if they felt trapped by it? dont understand wat they were tryin to do. make me wonder sumtimes wats the real stryper? please believe me, i love this band, always, im not judging
@roxdad01 Against the Law was the band's response to constant scrutiny by Christians who felt the need to constantly put the band under the microscope. They were tired of Christians ambushing them & grabbing drinks from them backstage and sniffing them to see if there was any alcohol in their drinks (as if that would have been some sort of horrible crime!) and other religious persecution. They understandably felt that they had made their beliefs clear from the beginning & had a right to move on.
@csmpeoil It's fact. I've been meaning to write Michael and ask his permission to post my interview here but I haven't had a chance to yet. I'm surprised you didn't know the band's attitude around the time but yes they were pretty sick of how crappy Christians were treating them and trying to put them into a box (as Michael explained already on the Against the Law promo interviews that came out around the time the Shining Star video did. I still have my copy that Enigma sent me in early 1991.)
@Vegas01973 I get the feeling Stryper subscribe(d) to the salad bar edition Bible. Scan the Bible, take the things you like and ignore the things that give you discomfort. It appears that Oz and Michael still carry that rebellion from the ATL days, today. Oz's wife leaves him, he marries a former prostitute. The wife God gave Michael dies of cancer, Mike is with another woman within 4 months. Instead of releasing an original album with a message, they release a secular tribute cover album.
@csmpeoil The guys in Stryper are sincere about their beliefs. The prophets of the Bible had lots of personal challenges too. Ever heard of a guy named David? How about Lot? Noah? You sound like an angry self-righteous religious fanatic unless I misunderstood your post. (Did I?) It seems as if you're suggesting there is such a thing as a "REAL Christian". In my experience there isn't. It is a standard that nobody could possibly live up to and I am personally much happier now as an ex-Christian.
@csmpeoil By the way, EVERYONE who "follows" the Bible "takes the things they like and ignores the rest". There are 613 orders from God in the Bible, many of which are downright disgusting (such as kill your kids if they are disobedient, etc.) Slavery is endorsed by God in both the Old & New Testament. If you actually tried to "obey" the entire Bible literally you would land in prison and rightfully so. And what's wrong with being with "a former prostitute"? Ever heard of Mary Magdalene?!
@Vegas01973 if you're smart enough to know the exact number of God's orders, you're smart enough to know what I meant. Yes, you may get tossed in prison, but are we talking about God's laws or man's? Oz and Michael appeared to live Christ-like until the wives God gave them left. Well, Oz's marriage long had its issues. He always had a bit of an attitude and tends to play lip-service when quoting Scripture. What's wrong with a former prostitute? Compared to Leslie, what's not wrong with it?
@csmpeoil You're sitting on a mighty high horse for a fellow sinner. You should really re-examine yourself. Nobody is perfect. I may no longer defend Christianity but I DO defend fellow human beings, especially when people place unrealistic expectations on them. You don't know any of the guys personally so it is absurd to judge them based on fragments of info. Come on, you should know better! If you have a problem with them, love them and forgive them. Set an example instead of pointing fingers.
@Vegas01973 intriguing statement. how can you be certain as to who I know within the stryper camp? from which high horse do you sit as you attack Christians and their ligitimacy? now that you've evaded my questions, do try and answer this one, you snivelling coward.
@csmpeoil Name-calling? That's the best you can do to respond to my question of why you would fling mud at fellow Christians? I never "attacked" anyone. I challenge you to demonstrate otherwise. I DEFEND Christians all the time (such as family & friends) even though I don't share all their beliefs. I defend anyone who is being unfairly smeared. We all have a right to our own opinions but not our own FACTS! I obviously made you uncomfortable by pointing out your hypocrisy & that's a good start.
@Vegas01973 your response was so devoid of substance that it deserved no better. Now, are you ever going to address my request for you to explain why you believe there is no such thing as a "real Christian"? [crickets chirping]
@csmpeoil Sure. Christianity is rooted in Judaism which contains countless immoral laws. During the Sermon on the Mount Christ claimed that not one letter of the law would change until Heaven & Earth pass away so instead of condemning the evil deeds & endorsements of slavery, rape, genocide, child abuse, and so on, Christ took the safe route which is a real bummer. Therefore, if you follow Christ you have to follow ALL his teachings which is impossible if you want to be a law-abiding American.
@csmpeoil But I doubt that you'll even comprehend that logic since you are still operating from the presupposition that the Old Testament laws that racist, blood-thirsty, male-chauvinist nomadic desert tribes handed out were "God's laws" as you said earlier which is truly sad. For every good idea in the Bible & every noble teaching (such as Do not Bear False Witness, love your neighbor, etc.) there are dozens of toxic and repulsively evil teachings as well which is why I left the religion. Peace
@csmpeoil To borrow an old cliche, SATAN is the great accuser. He doesn't need your help. Slinging mud isn't going to help YOU or the band or the fans or your God so relax. Its easy for an unknown to criticize folks who are successful because no one is examining YOUR life under a microscope. I suspect people would find dirt on YOU too to whine about, not because you're a bad person but because you are HUMAN like the rest of us. You and I have a right to be imperfect and so does Stryper!!
@roxdad01 I interviewed Michael in '91 & had a nice long talk with Robert on the phone a few years later in 1994. As a major Stryper fan and former Christian myself I completely understand how annoying Christians can be. When you try to tell someone how to think, act, behave (especially artists) there is bound to be a moment of rebellion which is what "Against the Law" was. I love the album and think its some of their best work. I know firsthand that the members are sincere believers too. Peace.
If I sound like an angry self-righteous religious fanatic, perhaps it's because you've got a Texas-sized cockroach up your ass over Christianity. You strike me as a wimp who never really quite "got it." Ironically, Stryper once touted "don't look at us as the example, look at Christ as the example." This is true, if you seek salvation through idolatry. Satan has you right where he wants you. Let me know what Mike thinks of that half-witted "Real Christian" attitude of yours.
csmpeoil 8 months ago
i just never understood the against the law era? they said they were put in that christian box by everyone, but nobody ever told them to do that, then they just were so against the whole yellow n black stuff n tryin to be more edgy, i love stryper, but just not sure wat made them come back to their roots if they felt trapped by it? dont understand wat they were tryin to do. make me wonder sumtimes wats the real stryper? please believe me, i love this band, always, im not judging
roxdad01 1 year ago
@roxdad01 Against the Law was the band's response to constant scrutiny by Christians who felt the need to constantly put the band under the microscope. They were tired of Christians ambushing them & grabbing drinks from them backstage and sniffing them to see if there was any alcohol in their drinks (as if that would have been some sort of horrible crime!) and other religious persecution. They understandably felt that they had made their beliefs clear from the beginning & had a right to move on.
Vegas01973 1 year ago
@Vegas01973 is that fact or your opinion? i've never seen them cite those reasons in any interviews.
csmpeoil 8 months ago
@csmpeoil It's fact. I've been meaning to write Michael and ask his permission to post my interview here but I haven't had a chance to yet. I'm surprised you didn't know the band's attitude around the time but yes they were pretty sick of how crappy Christians were treating them and trying to put them into a box (as Michael explained already on the Against the Law promo interviews that came out around the time the Shining Star video did. I still have my copy that Enigma sent me in early 1991.)
Vegas01973 8 months ago
@Vegas01973 I get the feeling Stryper subscribe(d) to the salad bar edition Bible. Scan the Bible, take the things you like and ignore the things that give you discomfort. It appears that Oz and Michael still carry that rebellion from the ATL days, today. Oz's wife leaves him, he marries a former prostitute. The wife God gave Michael dies of cancer, Mike is with another woman within 4 months. Instead of releasing an original album with a message, they release a secular tribute cover album.
csmpeoil 8 months ago
@csmpeoil The guys in Stryper are sincere about their beliefs. The prophets of the Bible had lots of personal challenges too. Ever heard of a guy named David? How about Lot? Noah? You sound like an angry self-righteous religious fanatic unless I misunderstood your post. (Did I?) It seems as if you're suggesting there is such a thing as a "REAL Christian". In my experience there isn't. It is a standard that nobody could possibly live up to and I am personally much happier now as an ex-Christian.
Vegas01973 8 months ago
@csmpeoil By the way, EVERYONE who "follows" the Bible "takes the things they like and ignores the rest". There are 613 orders from God in the Bible, many of which are downright disgusting (such as kill your kids if they are disobedient, etc.) Slavery is endorsed by God in both the Old & New Testament. If you actually tried to "obey" the entire Bible literally you would land in prison and rightfully so. And what's wrong with being with "a former prostitute"? Ever heard of Mary Magdalene?!
Vegas01973 8 months ago
@Vegas01973 if you're smart enough to know the exact number of God's orders, you're smart enough to know what I meant. Yes, you may get tossed in prison, but are we talking about God's laws or man's? Oz and Michael appeared to live Christ-like until the wives God gave them left. Well, Oz's marriage long had its issues. He always had a bit of an attitude and tends to play lip-service when quoting Scripture. What's wrong with a former prostitute? Compared to Leslie, what's not wrong with it?
csmpeoil 8 months ago
@csmpeoil You're sitting on a mighty high horse for a fellow sinner. You should really re-examine yourself. Nobody is perfect. I may no longer defend Christianity but I DO defend fellow human beings, especially when people place unrealistic expectations on them. You don't know any of the guys personally so it is absurd to judge them based on fragments of info. Come on, you should know better! If you have a problem with them, love them and forgive them. Set an example instead of pointing fingers.
Vegas01973 8 months ago
@Vegas01973 intriguing statement. how can you be certain as to who I know within the stryper camp? from which high horse do you sit as you attack Christians and their ligitimacy? now that you've evaded my questions, do try and answer this one, you snivelling coward.
csmpeoil 8 months ago
@csmpeoil Name-calling? That's the best you can do to respond to my question of why you would fling mud at fellow Christians? I never "attacked" anyone. I challenge you to demonstrate otherwise. I DEFEND Christians all the time (such as family & friends) even though I don't share all their beliefs. I defend anyone who is being unfairly smeared. We all have a right to our own opinions but not our own FACTS! I obviously made you uncomfortable by pointing out your hypocrisy & that's a good start.
Vegas01973 8 months ago
@Vegas01973 your response was so devoid of substance that it deserved no better. Now, are you ever going to address my request for you to explain why you believe there is no such thing as a "real Christian"? [crickets chirping]
csmpeoil 8 months ago
@csmpeoil Sure. Christianity is rooted in Judaism which contains countless immoral laws. During the Sermon on the Mount Christ claimed that not one letter of the law would change until Heaven & Earth pass away so instead of condemning the evil deeds & endorsements of slavery, rape, genocide, child abuse, and so on, Christ took the safe route which is a real bummer. Therefore, if you follow Christ you have to follow ALL his teachings which is impossible if you want to be a law-abiding American.
Vegas01973 7 months ago
@csmpeoil But I doubt that you'll even comprehend that logic since you are still operating from the presupposition that the Old Testament laws that racist, blood-thirsty, male-chauvinist nomadic desert tribes handed out were "God's laws" as you said earlier which is truly sad. For every good idea in the Bible & every noble teaching (such as Do not Bear False Witness, love your neighbor, etc.) there are dozens of toxic and repulsively evil teachings as well which is why I left the religion. Peace
Vegas01973 7 months ago
@csmpeoil To borrow an old cliche, SATAN is the great accuser. He doesn't need your help. Slinging mud isn't going to help YOU or the band or the fans or your God so relax. Its easy for an unknown to criticize folks who are successful because no one is examining YOUR life under a microscope. I suspect people would find dirt on YOU too to whine about, not because you're a bad person but because you are HUMAN like the rest of us. You and I have a right to be imperfect and so does Stryper!!
Vegas01973 8 months ago
@csmpeoil Also, go back and read the lyrics to the song 'Against the Law'! How much clearer could it be? :)
Vegas01973 8 months ago
@roxdad01 I interviewed Michael in '91 & had a nice long talk with Robert on the phone a few years later in 1994. As a major Stryper fan and former Christian myself I completely understand how annoying Christians can be. When you try to tell someone how to think, act, behave (especially artists) there is bound to be a moment of rebellion which is what "Against the Law" was. I love the album and think its some of their best work. I know firsthand that the members are sincere believers too. Peace.
Vegas01973 1 year ago
Skyper!!!
Transamstance 1 year ago
Does Michael have a major tick or was it the video? Watch carefully when she asks him about Oz' s new wife
Ulai777 1 year ago
seemed like the interview ended sooner than michael was expecting.
atterolevad 2 years ago
darn thing aint workin
StryperandJesus 2 years ago
working ok on my end
STRYPERTUBE 2 years ago
Great interview. Thanks guys.
stryperfreak 2 years ago
AWESOME!! Thanks a million, Yaz!!!
heavensangel34 2 years ago
i love this
tinasattler1 2 years ago
Excellent. Can't wait until 9/18 NYC Irving Plaza. Saw them in '85 when they first were touring. God Bless...
cyborgmind 2 years ago
Koehler - Like I said, You and I made an awesome team :)
yb77 2 years ago
we sure do Yaz! Koehler-Baluch Productions!
ByHisStrypes 2 years ago
Hey Yaz, how did that Honestly music get in the video. did u have that playing in the background? LOL
ByHisStrypes 2 years ago
Killer interview. Stryper rules...'nuff said. :D
Bl4cFoxx 2 years ago