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The American Right: Popular culture is decadent, nihilistic, and is poisoning the youth. It is the source of everything wrong in our society.
Also the American Right: If it'll get ppl to vote for us, we're cool w/ metal, hip hop, shitposting memes, tattoos, WWF goons, & leather.
Also the American Right: If it'll get ppl to vote for us, we're cool w/ metal, hip hop, shitposting memes, tattoos, WWF goons, & leather.
US evangelicalism has always been culturally creative and syncretic. Like all traditions, it evolves over time to remain relevant in shifting historical contexts. Listen to this beautiful song from 1969, for example. It's 80% counter-culture, 20% Jesus.
This podcast did an excellent job, I thought, of covering key moments in the history of white evangelicalism and politics. The relationship between the two has long been complicated, ambivalent, and fraught. It will not always remain as it is now. npr.org/2019/06/11/731…
For example, there are signs that many young evangelicals are beginning to dissent from the politics of their elders. This cohort could be the nucleus of an American evangelicalism that is far more progressive and inclusive in a variety of ways.
newyorker.com/news/on-religi…
newyorker.com/news/on-religi…
As Robert Jones argues in this book, white evangelicalism's steady drift to the right since the 1970s has alienated many young people from the faith. amazon.com/End-White-Chri…
I'm not sure a metal band called "Skillet" (sorry, but that is a seriously cringe-worthy name) is gonna do the trick of reinventing the faith for a new generation...but I suppose only time will tell.
"Skillet" reminds me of an idea I once had for a Sammy Hagar tribute band. It would be called Slaxxx. 
This juxtaposition of the mug of Laura Ingraham, who's *very concerned* about the decline of Western Civilization, with Skillet's drummer...while in the background the lyrics go "I feel like a monster" is just [chef's kiss].
