What Rage Against the Machine Taught Me About Preaching
I’ll admit it: Rage Against the Machine is one of my most favorite bands. Ever. I think they get a lot of things right–musically and philosophically.
Tom Morello’s play-my-guitar-with-a-wrench-beacause-I-can style.
Tim Commerford’s bubbling bass.
And of course, Zack de la Rocha’s unique, politically-charged, freestyle rap-rock lyrical delivery.
I feel like I’m outing myself or something. Yes, they have a radical message–but they’re passionate. And I love passion. I also have a sneaking suspicion that on certain levels, the life and message of Jesus looked more like Zack de la Rocha’s than Mister Rogers.
Rage is an un-band. You can’t classify them as either “here” or “there.” They do (or rather, did, as the band is no longer formally together) their own thing and make no apologies for it.
They painfully hold the light of exposure on politicians and political systems that they feel are unjust. In fact, if you go to the band’s official website, you’ll see a link in the nav bar to Axis of Justice. AoJ’s mission statement:
Axis of Justice is a non-profit organization formed by Tom Morello and Serj Tankian. Its purpose is to bring together musicians, fans of music, and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice.
Lead singer Zack de la Rocha frequently speaks out against the foreign and domestic policies of the United States–with some notable encounters with Fox News and Saturday Night Live. Regardless of whether one agrees with all (or even most) of their political views, you have to commend them for doing something about what they believe.
As a frequent communicator, I know it is so easy to stand behind a microphone and preach ideologies without accompanying those beliefs with action. I want to be a person in Christ who not only speaks the word of God, but does the word of God.
Rage, while certainly not identifiable as a “Christian” band (on the surface, anyway), helps me to remember this–words require action.
I'm a fan of RATM music, but not their politics. No issues with people who support more liberal points of view on issues ranging from taxes to foreign policy. However, their “Free Mumia” (cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal) “passion” extends to them outright lying about Jamal's supposed “innocence.”
Sorry for drifting off a little, but I just wanted to make that known. That being said, I can understand where you're coming from with regard to action.
One of my favorite memories of all time was a time at camp when me and some friends were playing leading music for the week. As we left the camp that last day in our churches people mover we blared Killing in the Name of as we drove off into the sunset. People gave us some very strange looks.
Every time I see something about Rage I shed a tear because of the lack of new music and the probability of them never getting back together for good.
Great connection bring words into actions. Yes when I think about Zack de la Rocha I cannot help but see someone who is so passionate about something that it consumes everything he does.
I'm a fan of RATM music, but not their politics. No issues with people who support more liberal points of view on issues ranging from taxes to foreign policy. However, their “Free Mumia” (cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal) “passion” extends to them outright lying about Jamal's supposed “innocence.”
Sorry for drifting off a little, but I just wanted to make that known. That being said, I can understand where you're coming from with regard to action.
One of my favorite memories of all time was a time at camp when me and some friends were playing leading music for the week. As we left the camp that last day in our churches people mover we blared Killing in the Name of as we drove off into the sunset. People gave us some very strange looks.
Every time I see something about Rage I shed a tear because of the lack of new music and the probability of them never getting back together for good.
Great connection bring words into actions. Yes when I think about Zack de la Rocha I cannot help but see someone who is so passionate about something that it consumes everything he does.
They are seriously one of my favorite bands. And you’re right, they’re a great example of passion. No matter what you believe or stand up for or whatever, there’s no denying that these guys feel strongly about what they’re singing or saying or doing. And that’s a lesson that many people can learn from.