Marilyn Manson

[megadeth425]

Manson's been hailed as a variety of things; a misunderstood artist, an unscrupulous force intent on corrupting children, someone who stays trye to himself, the anti-Christ, an advocate for individuality, an advocate for violence and Satanism. Just to note, this isn't a debate about his music and whether it's good or metal or goth or whatever, I'm talking about the image and the lyrics that have caused all the controversy.
That said, how do you see him, and why? Does he corrupt children and encourage violence, or is his message misunderstood?

[Night]

After columbine, many right-wingers blamed him as one of the many causes of the supposed degradation of our society, simply because the shooters at that high school listened to his music.

He is not a cause of a changing society, but a symptom (if you would like to call it that). I personally listen to some of his music, I would hope it makes America more secular and less ignorant.

"I'm not a slave...to a God...that doesn't exist" - Marilyn Manson

[Compugasm]

Does he corrupt children and encourage violence, or is his message misunderstood?

I wish more people were able to take a step back and realize it's not a WHO has a corruping influence, but a WHAT. For example, Jesus doesn't corrupt children, it's the church and it's followers who do all the corruping and violence. After all, who is Marilyn Manson anyway, compared to the likes of Jesus or General Electric?

Not to pick on you Megadeth425, but if you heard someone say Marilyn Manson made even a ripple in the ocean of corruption and violoence, this person is pretty clueless about history, the world, or what they're talking about.

Reading material:
Marshall McLuhan: Understanding Media - Famous for coining the term "The medium is the message".

Watching Material: (prophetic tales some 25 years after original release)
Videodrome - SciFi moving about an underground organization who uses violent television programming to morally purify people. A cautionary tale about the perils of watching trash TV.
Looker - SciFi/Thriller about big media companies who digitally scan actors and animate them for use in television programming.
Talk Radio - Based on the real life murder of radio host Alan Berg by Neo-Nazis, because they perceived him as 'a threat' to society.

[megadeth425]

After columbine, many right-wingers blamed him as one of the many causes of the supposed degradation of our society, simply because the shooters at that high school listened to his music.

The interesting thing was that the kids weren't even fans of his.

"I'm not a slave...to a God...that doesn't exist" - Marilyn Manson

When I refer to his message misunderstood, this line is always a perfect example, because it offends so many people who don't understand the context or actual meaning behind the song.

I wish more people were able to take a step back and realize it's not a WHO has a corruping influence, but a WHAT. For example, Jesus doesn't corrupt children, it's the church and it's followers who do all the corruping and violence. After all, who is Marilyn Manson anyway, compared to the likes of Jesus or General Electric?

Not to pick on you Megadeth425, but if you heard someone say Marilyn Manson made even a ripple in the ocean of corruption and violoence, this person is pretty clueless about history, the world, or what they're talking about.

Actually, I agree. I don't think he's doing anything. I see him as merely an artist advocating his beliefs and what he feels, and that others, who seek to scapegoat and demonize, accuse him of corruption. In our society, so fixated on evil, corruption, and appearance, it's easier to blame this guy:

for the problems in the world than this guy:

[Walrus]

Ah yes, Marilyn Manson, he contributes to the decoration of my daughter’s bedroom, along with the H R Giger posters, dragons, statues of the grim reaper and other jolly stuff, she also likes his music but as yet hasn’t taken to staying out late on Walpurgis Night.

Many musicians have been seen as the corruptors of youth, amongst those condemned by certain elements of the media and the religious right Include: Bill Haley and The Comets, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones (Mick Jagger was knighted and is now Sir Mick Jagger), Ozzy Osbourne (Played at Buckingham Palace, the grand finale of the Queen’s jubilee concert.)

I think the moral right simply thrive on being outraged and that it may even contribute to Manson’s status amongst those who admire him. Personally, I see his style as an updated Alice Cooper; he’s a showman an entertainer and I would imagine that behind the façade he is relatively “normal”, intelligent and in possession of a good business head.

[grandpa]

Ah yes, Marilyn Manson, he contributes to the decoration of
my daughter’s bedroom, along with the H R Giger posters, dragons,
statues of the grim reaper and other jolly stuff, she
also likes his music but as yet hasn’t taken to
staying out late on Walpurgis Night.

Now that this skeleton has leaked out, why are some women attracted to conventionally weird musicians, and not unconventional weird ones like myself? If I even look at a girl I'm liable to get maced, but Marilyn Manson can sing increasingly lame songs and be knee-deep in girls. But perhaps I'm just jealous.

Many musicians have been seen as the corruptors of youth,
amongst those condemned by certain elements of the media and
the religious right Include: Bill Haley and The Comets, Elvis
Presley, The Rolling Stones (Mick Jagger was knighted and is
now Sir Mick Jagger), Ozzy Osbourne (Played at Buckingham Palace,
the grand finale of the Queen’s jubilee concert.)

I saw Ozzy seated at some George W. Bush event and thought to myself, "This is a joke right?" And who would make Jagger a knight?

Grandpa h.

[Walrus]

Now that this skeleton has leaked out, why are some women attracted to conventionally weird musicians, and not unconventional weird ones like myself? If I even look at a girl I'm liable to get maced, but Marilyn Manson can sing increasingly lame songs and be knee-deep in girls. But perhaps I'm just jealous.

It’s fame, a greater aphrodisiac than money (yes, I’m cynical). As for my daughter attraction, she’s a Goth and an art student, it sort of goes with the territory and seems quite healthy to me.

It would appear to be a fact though, if you’re going to be unconventional, you have to conform to what is an accepted standard of unconventional or people will think you’re odd.

And who would make Jagger a knight?

It was Charles Windsor, who stands in for his mum these days when it comes to the old sword on shoulder tapping stuff. I don’t know if you are familiar with our honours system but it’s quite common for members of the performing arts to be knighted, Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney etc. Being loaded possibly helps.

[Dalton0810]

After columbine, many right-wingers blamed him as one of the many causes of the supposed degradation of our society, simply because the shooters at that high school listened to his music.

they also blamed Rammstein

[Compugasm]

Personally, I see his style as an updated Alice Cooper...

Manson reminds me of that scene in Wayne's World when Alice Cooper talks about the origin Algonquin Indians.

[lindsay7]

When I was a teenager I loved Manson's music, but I'm not into his new stuff now. I don't think it's as good. It seems to happen to a lot of artists that after they make it big, they must lose some passion and drive because their music just isn't as good, it feels shallow and not moving anymore. I don't feel that Manson has a purpose or message that drives his art anymore.

I feel bad for him in a sense, he's a middle aged man now and he does a lot of drugs, that's why his wife Dita left him. So he's old and still regularily does drugs and has a girlfriend who is young enough to be his daughter. It's just so shallow. He's trying to hold onto the rock star persona like that's all he is. He's not nearly as popular anymore, so it doesn't even mean anything, and it won't leave any meaningful legacy behind when he dies.

Sometimes it's sad to see beautiful people **** their lives up when you know they could be so much more and use their talents for amazing things.
But he's a really intelligent, artistic person. I think that he will grow and change in the future.

About his image - I don't think he ever really wanted hate and satanism and violence, and I don't think he hated God. He was very anti-religion, and full of anger and wanted people to think for themselves. Many teens could certainly relate. He saw the churches as hypocritical and destructive. So his image was anti everything that the churches claim to stand for. He wasn't anymore the satanist of his images than the churches were the saints of theirs. He was the churchs' antithesis. 'Marilyn Manson' the image was the reflection in the mirror that he held up to the church, showing them for what they really are. And with enough churches out there preaching hate and violence against homosexuals and others, it's a fitting image. Churches like that are satanist and full of hate, and anti-Christ. You can't love Christ if you hate your brother. It's a lie.

I think the feeling's summed up pretty well in his lyrics "I never really hated a one true god but the god of the people I hated" in the song Disposable Teens.

[Sweet Katie]

Manson's been hailed as a variety of things; a misunderstood artist, an unscrupulous force intent on corrupting children, someone who stays trye to himself, the anti-Christ, an advocate for individuality, an advocate for violence and Satanism. Just to note, this isn't a debate about his music and whether it's good or metal or goth or whatever, I'm talking about the image and the lyrics that have caused all the controversy.
That said, how do you see him, and why? Does he corrupt children and encourage violence, or is his message misunderstood?

Marilyn Manson appears to have some message behind his lyrics, but he appears to enjoy behaving in a manner that provides little more than "shock value". Perhaps his message can persuade young people but I theorize that average adults look at Marilyn Manson and think, "You don't concern me; I survived 8 years of George Bush."

[GHook93]

Manson's been hailed as a variety of things; a misunderstood artist, an unscrupulous force intent on corrupting children, someone who stays trye to himself, the anti-Christ, an advocate for individuality, an advocate for violence and Satanism. Just to note, this isn't a debate about his music and whether it's good or metal or goth or whatever, I'm talking about the image and the lyrics that have caused all the controversy.
That said, how do you see him, and why? Does he corrupt children and encourage violence, or is his message misunderstood?

I heard him being interviewed a few times. The guy is highly intelligent and grounded. I think some of the Goth encouragment is a bad thing and I personally would be devastated if either of my children went Gothic. However, I don't think he corrupts kids any worse than rap music or normal rock music or really even country music (country music can be said to produce drunken intolerant red necks.

Side note: I personally love his music. Nothing better to work out to! Although I am still a fan of good old AC/DC!