Church of the Misfits and VNV Nation

[Britelitblue]

i stumbled into Limelight once too, didnt leave for 9 days lol

[MrNaaki1201]

Think im going to cum in my pants when i c VNV

[mrbone03]

Josh from Mars Hill Church in Seattle.

Pastor Elnes, I deeply appreciate your missiological heart and openness see the needs in people who seem foreign to you. My church is filled with heavily tatted, pierced, chain-smoking lovers of Jesus. We love the tragic side of the cross (because of the love it demonstrates) and we pursue people who live the sadness laid bare by bands like VNV Nation (I'm a fan) so they can be connected to the source of hope. I pray the same grace MHC has 4 ur church

[xagcx]

What I see in VNV is devotion to humanism surrounded by Christian language/rhetoric. Their songs constantly place faith in Humanity, a faith I personally believe is unfounded given the track record of humanity. Some will try to blame religion on humanity's corruption but it seems to me humanity's corruption is innate, and extends into corrupting religions and any other thing the human touches. VNV is the voice of a lost soul recognizing their faults but too afraid to let go and reach for God

[fernfearie]

...regardless of what faith you choose.

they may seem "christian" in perspective but that is merely because Christianity has been looked at in such a way..

paganism is just as positive! if not moreso due to the corrupted churches and ministers but that comes with anything. theres good bad and theres even neutral.

there are very positive things about christianity but in anything people don't always practice what they preach... and neither do pagans... hence why so many of you think they're evil.

[fernfearie]

this was one of my favorite bands growing up... i've always been "goth" if u wish to call it that... but i have never been christian. in fact i was raised "wiccan" and then branched off when I was 13 or 14 into different pagan practices one of which i studied was Druidry up until the past couple years.

i've foud i need no "religion" to help me along, no following, no church, no book to read.

(though i love to read books)

but only what i know and feel is right. lyrics of VNV Nation are uplifting.

[depeche609]

I've read many articles and Ronan is very vague when asked about the content of his lyrics. He seems to be a closet Christian. I don't blame him tho, because coming out of that closet would alienate alot of of their agressive fans and don't we all know...money rules the world.

Regardless what they are, take what you want from his lyrics. He's noted time and time again that you should take the song and enjoy it no matter how you see it.

[AmazorMann]

I can recall Ronan saying that while he is a spiritual person, he does not specifically follow any religion. Ronan is from Ireland, and while Ireland is a very religious country there had been a great deal of fighting over whose beliefs are correct. Because of this he decided not to associate with an organized group.

[dzoellick]

I'm a Christian and a VNV fan. I believe there is a lot of deep truth to be found in VNV's lyrics, but I also think that the messages are highly open to interpretation. Everyone (Christian or non), should be listened to with an open but cautious mind. Don't think that just because a band is "Christian" everything they say is true, or that just because a band is secular nothing they say can be spiritual. I strongly agree with what this is saying about "finding Jesus wherever He may be found".

[nevers6]

This minister didn't say VNV Nation r christians, but realizes they're band who's lyrics and themes touch on deep existential and emotional questions and struggles at the heart of everyone, regardless of belief or (sub)culture, that also are central to Xtianity. 2 the kids here saying "VNV are evil".. No. Unlike a lot of EBM/Industrial/Futurepop acts, they've ignored the trend to focus on "dark" and instead sing about the fall of humanity, stuggle, searching, redemption. It's very honest really.

[7JayMan7]

Don't be deceived.

This is Not the Truth of Jesus Christ.

This is rebellious deception.

[AxiomofDiscord]

I find that VNV Nation is beyond Dogmatic Law and that keeps them from being Christian. I love the message of this video short of the saying it has anything to do with Jesus. Themes do carry over but I think VNV Nation is more about going beyond set rules of religion and focusing on virtue and vice and being retrospective. To make the conclusion this video does I think cheapens both VNV Nation and Christianity. (note ATF the member of AoD that is writing this is not a Christian)

[Cumbrowski]

welcome to the family :)

[flakko86]

i love it. that is how the church should be. reaching out to the unreached, not caring about the external appearance. I deeply dislike churches that make you dress up. i have always wondered if any of the VNV nation members were religious or not. the lyrics REALLY point to it in the song "Genesis"

[tweezy100]

Well I saw VNV Nation in Hollywood last weekend and loved it..however as a christian I was quite conflicted by the messages from the band. While many song lyrics were quite spiritual in a positive way and seemed to have a great message, others were very dark. I wonder if the lead singer Ronan is as conflicted as his songs...the band was great, the show was incredible, but talent and spiritual references in songs don't make a gospel message, so go see them! but don't go unprotected...

[LostSnake]

VNV nation is not a gospel band, nor have they ever said they were. Yes they do have Christian elements in the songs, but they are not a "Christian band"

[tweezy100]

I would urge anyone listening to this band (the music is great) to "READ" the lyrics from some of their songs. They are curses on your life, they are VERY dark and disturbing. The only hope in these songs is that hell will be made a nice place by those like the lead singer who think it'll be a great party of something..the narrator here is uninformed.

[LostSnake]

Exactly which lyrics do you say are "curses?"

[tweezy100]

You can look at many of their songs, but I was specifically quoting "Kingdom" which you can find doing a lyric search, but certainly there are other songs (can't think of all of them right now) which actually curse the listener, check it out and see if I'm right or possibly over-reacting..Good luck

[LostSnake]

I believe you are over-reacting. Because I have all of VNV nation's cd's and I have yet to find any lyrics that would be a "Curse" on anybody

[tweezy100]

Well you may be right, I just spent an hour going thru lyric websites, and I could'nt find what I was speaking of, perhaps I didn't find the 1 song I read last yr? Certainly I would say that Ronans lyrics can be interpreted different ways depending on the perspective; meaning from which perspective is he directing the lyric? OR perhaps I read an Apopytgma Berzerk lyric or something else and thought it was VNV's? I dunno. I still love the music, just cautious of the content. what r ur thoughts?

[lithiumx11]

and you gotta admit that the people there were sexy in no small part due to them tring to be what they are despite everything as well as thier devotion to thier cause. the black leather does help though.. most can't see the forest cause of the trees

[lithiumx11]

Good luck with the church. Its as uplifting for me to see you grasp something of an understanding of us "misfits" as i'm sure it is to you to see a spark of hope in the eyes of the hopeless. Really, that may be close to the same thing.

[lithiumx11]

I believe in God, not religion. Faith is personal and religion seems to tell people how thier faith needs to be. For me to goto church, it would have to be able to agree to disagree and still accept.  The inability to do this drives many away and may be the failing that will undo the world. My advice, be completely yourself, belive in people instead of tring to save them from thierself and just live and let live. Feel free to disagree, its your right and THAT is exactly my point.

[aussiekeith]

Very Well Done. I love VNV Nation and think the message they promote as to the way they promote, spirituality is

great. You just need to see their audience and you see how the spirit is working.

[cyberpunkmonk]

a. I will make the lame a remnant, and the outcast a strong nation: God's restoration isn't just for the strong, but the weak and disadvantaged will especially know the blessing of His restoration.

b. To you shall it come: These promises are so glorious that it would be easy for Israel to think they are too good to be true. Therefore, God gives them a special promise, vowing to you it shall come.

[cyberpunkmonk]

"In that day," says the Lord, "I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast and those whom I have afflicted; I will make the lame a remnant, and the outcast a strong nation; so the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on, even forever. And you, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, even the former dominion shall come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem."

Micah 4:6-8

[johntynan]

well done.

[Gravegun]

In my opinion rizash is really right. I searched for the right words and I finally found them in his comment. I am really impressed of what you've done and you have my deep admiration. And also thanks to rizash, he took his words right from the center of my soul.

[Gotteskrieger07]

Sir as a Christian I am a great fan of this band their songs are soaked with Theology the bands leader Ronan is very spiritual. I am going to see them tonight at the same club I believe Iriving Plaza, God Bless.

[rizash]

The goth sub-culture is one of the most mis-understood. Religious believers are often the most closed minded people when it comes to judging people by appearance etc. For a minister to open his eyes and mind to another sub-culture the way you have is quite impressive. Thanks for paying attention and not following blindly as so many others do. If all spiritual leaders were so thoughtful and so aware the world would truly find faith again. Perhaps not in religion, but hopefully in humanity.