It’s that time of the week again, Metro Times Detroit has released their latest “Ask a Juggalo” column. This week’s column question is being answered by Vinnie Monastiere.

In this column, Vinnie answers the questions: Is it a sin to listen to ICP?

If you would like to send a question in to be answered, you can do so by emailing [email protected].

From Metro Times Detroit:

Q:Whoop-whoop! What up, homies? I’m Ryda Ceazer. I’m a Christian Juggalo who goes to church, but I get sort of picked on for it with the whole cussing in the lyrics thing. They say, “Because the Bible says do not speak unclean that me listening to ICP is a sin.” What do you think of this problem? Any advice on how to handle it?

A: I understand completely where they’re coming from and, in my opinion, as long as we are completely on the same page, this is nothing more than entertainment. We can sit there and we can decipher and interpret what we read in scripture or the Bible. And I don’t want to offend anybody, but this is 2015. At this point, there are many things that would not have been acceptable in the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, the ’80s, or even in the ’90s. Until 2000, I don’t believe that this world was anywhere near as open-minded and understanding as it should be. In my opinion, I’m also Christian — would I in God’s church start reciting or singing foul or profane language? No. Would I go into church with a Shaggy 2 Dope “Fuck Off” T-shirt? No. At the end of the day, it’s just entertainment, and it’s crazy to me to think that you would be disrespecting the Lord by listening to their music. Even when I first started listening to them, I had in the back of my mind that, well, maybe they have been so scarred in their youth and experienced so much foulness that they do not have the belief in God. That’s false. I learned that very soon into listening to them. I had a great opportunity before show in the mid-’90s where I was out in front waiting for the show like 10 hours before doors and there only were a couple of us out there. Violent J himself came out with no face paint on, no nothing, and he came out and just chilled with us for half an hour or so. He kind of really put the facts straight as far as the stories he was telling. Out of nowhere, he made it clear he was a good person and that he has a good heart. As years went on, and as they released more information, they do believe in God. They do realize that, successful as they are, it wasn’t all just them and hard work, it was having faith and having belief in a higher power. By all means. If not they would be a completely different story. But since they do, she ain’t doing nothing wrong. Enjoy Christianity and enjoy everything that the Lord has to offer. And make sure to enjoy yourself in the sense of entertainment and don’t read too much into it. Believe me when I say it, we’re all sinners and I don’t believe that in any way, shape or form, I am going to hell because I happen to be a Juggalo. Just look at it as there is a time and a place for everything and enjoy yourself. There’s nothing wrong with watching a good horror movie and there’s nothing wrong with listening to other musical groups that use foul language or over-the-top antics. If you are silly enough to act out the words that they are using in their lyrics and apply that to your everyday life, you missed the whole point. You have way more issues and problems than what you listen to.

Websites:

• Ask a Juggalo: Is it a sin to listen to ICP?