Experts say that organizers don’t want to spoil the atmosphere with security “snooping around.” They also point out that “most victims don’t report crimes and many can’t recall details due to drug/alcohol impairment.”
Recently Billboard magazine ran an article entitled “17 Deaths and Counting: Festival Fatalities on the Rise.” Even the music industry’s bible is raising the red flag! Are parents, including our president and the first lady, paying attention?
Even if there are no rapes, assaults and felony gun charges cited, what are a parent’s responsibilities in releasing a child or teenager into this kind of “free-for-all” environment? Remember where we started in citing the profanity, drugs, drunkenness, sexually-charged lyrics and example.
Just days ago, Miley Cyrus returned to her Nashville, Tennessee, home for a packed concert of primarily teenage girls and those in their early 20s. Our local newspaper reported there were no parental chaperones in sight.
This mixed-up exhibitionist for whom we should pray opened saying she wanted “some (expletive) noise!” and that she was going to “show them why I’m so (expletive) crazy!” She added, “School starts back tomorrow, so don’t get too drunk tonight.”
The former Hannah Montana leads her followers down the broad road to destruction as she endorses drug use, spews profanity, swings naked in her videos and sits spread eagle on the stage like her promo shot for the tour squatting, grabbing her crotch.
Our local entertainment magazine chuckles at her antics and dismisses them as harmless, edgy and basically reminiscent of Elvis. Hardly.
Time to Wake Up and Smell the Stench
I wonder what report Malia gave her parents when she came home. If I had my wish, I would respectfully sit down with the Obamas and read them this commentary, as I would like to do with every American family facing the same challenges. But since they are the First Family and should model something for the rest of us, I close sharing something of what I’d tell them.
“Mrs. Obama, you may be BFF (best friends forever) with music’s No. 1 female megastar, Beyoncé, extolling her as a ‘true role model for children’ and ‘a role model kids everywhere can look up to,’ but should you as the first lady be setting this kind of example by taking your vulnerable and precious daughters to one of her concerts as you’ve done in addition to letting Malia go to Lollapalooza?
“The ‘Queen Bey’ exhibits a seductive image, prancing about in barely there clothes, doing over-the-top sensual dance moves. She goes on tour in her see-through bodysuit and gyrates like someone in a strip club. Her signature song is “Bootylicious,” and her last album is basically a graphic ode to sex. Uber-liberal Rolling Stone magazine said, ‘She hits nasty highs through the album.’
“I say this respectfully: Mrs. Obama this is not the kind of example you should be setting as our nation’s ‘First Mom.’ I ask you to change course before it’s too late.
“President Obama, while I continue to pray for you every single day, do you realize how you have abdicated your responsibility as leader of your wife and daughters in this realm? Sir, I beseech you to take decisive action and lead your three beautiful ladies on a righteous path. It’s not too late.”
How about you?
Not all pop singers and songs are perverted and immoral. Not every concert or festival is a haven of hedonism. If you look hard and research carefully, you may find a rare few. But be careful and don’t compromise-–your children’s future is at stake.
The founding father of rock n roll is Little Richard, and he has something to add to the conversation. His life became a cesspool of heroin, cocaine and sexual promiscuity. Let’s let him give the parting shot as today he serves the Lord Jesus Christ as a minister of the gospel.
“This music does not glorify God! You can’t drink out of God’s cup and the Devil’s cup at the same time. I was one of the pioneers of that music, one of the builders. I know what the blocks are made of, because I built them.”
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-–if anything is excellent or worthy of praise-–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. Then the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:8-9).
Larry Tomczak is a best-selling author and cultural commentator with more than 41 years of trusted ministry experience. His passion is to bring perspective, analysis and insight from a biblical worldview. He loves awakening people to today’s cultural realities and responses needed for a restored, influential church. Please visit LarryTomczak.com and follow him on Facebook or at @larrytomczak on Twitter.
