New Stryper Album Title Controversy?

I personally would not have chosen the title--"God D### Evil" ... BUT, asking God to "condemn (i.e. d###) evil" strickly speaking is not a bad thing--and that is what the title is saying. It's not all that different than "To Hell With The Devil"... edgy... outside of my comfort zone, but I think I understand what they're trying to say.


What do you think?

I'll jump in and disagree with the idea that asking God to condemn evil is not a bad thing.  If God truly desires that none perish and all come to repentance, then isn't a request that God grrrrrr evil--those who are perishing--going against God's will?  Put another way, aren't we who are followers of Christ supposed to be agents of reconciliation calling on God's mercy and grace rather than God's judgement and condemnation?

Plus, like I echoed in the other thread, to me it comes across as trying too hard to be edgy.  I'm still gonna buy the album though.

Asking God to condemn evil isn't any different than the martyrs in Revelation asking God how long He'll refrain from judging and avenging their blood.

There would be a huge difference if they used proper grammar:

God, D*** Evil!

God D***s Evil

But "God D*** Evil" when read, sounds like swearing.

It will be interesting to hear the song to find out if it sounds like swearing in context.  Similar to Bride's "We won't go to Hell no, we won't go."

Imprecatory prayer?

Xid --- I thought of that same passage in Revelation.  And we all long for the day when the Devl and His angels (demons) are cast into the lake of fire.  I would have a HUGE issue if the title asked God to "D## people... I totally get what messiaen77 is talking about there...

I too want to hear the song and how the message comes across in context...

Either way--it's a very hard pill for me to swallow...  We'll see.

Imprecatory Psalms, contained within the Book of Psalms of the Hebrew Bible (תנ"ך), are those that invoke judgment, calamity, or curses, upon one's enemies or those perceived as the enemies of God.


I get this in in OT context... but under the New Covenant---It's gotta be a reference to condemning/doing away with "evil" in general.. I.e. the restoration of all things in the end---THAT, I'm very much looking fwd too!

I get what they are trying to do with the title, but it does make me feel a little smarmy.  This definitely comes off as a marketing ploy to get people talking for free word of mouth publicity.  However, it has already become polarizing as you have those that are totally okay with the title branding people who aren't as judgmental, legalistic, and fake Christians.  Yes, I've seen all three used on Facebook conversations. 

The people who don't like it are bashing Stryper and calling into question their faith.  I also see them questioning the faith and morals of anyone who thinks that this is a cool title.

Then there are those of us in the middle.  I understand the message they are trying to convey, but it makes me feel uncomfortable.  I am scratching my head as to why this would be considered a great marketing tool (other than what I mentioned before). I don't think that Stryper is going to Hell over the title.  I don't think that anyone for or against this is in sin for their thoughts.  I do see the extreme supporters of either side going to far to insult one another and call one another names.  In that, where is Christ?

So, it has gotten Stryper some free publicity.  But, with what I have seen, it is really worth it?  Also, Stryper has tried to be controversial with their titles before.  While it worked on "To Hell With The Devil", it backfired on "Against The Law".  Why push the envelope, really?  Either the music speaks for itself, or it won't.

But, I probably don't represent most fans with my musings, so I will bow out now.

Xid wrote:

Asking God to condemn evil isn't any different than the martyrs in Revelation asking God how long He'll refrain from judging and avenging their blood.

There would be a huge difference if they used proper grammar:

God, D*** Evil!

God D***s Evil

But "God D*** Evil" when read, sounds like swearing.

It will be interesting to hear the song to find out if it sounds like swearing in context.  Similar to Bride's "We won't go to Hell no, we won't go."

That's what I was thinking. With proper grammar, it might've worked better. It does sound like edginess for the sake of it, at least for now.

Good thoughts--ALL... 

I guess the next step is to wait for the album release so we can hear the lyrics in context.

Based on the album cover art--I'm pretty sure it will be a song asking God to do away with evil (and possibly usher in his kingdom?) ...  But for me... even if the song is the best stryper song ever (sonically) I don't think I'll ever feel comfortable singing it.

Seems similar to THWTD controversy.  The wheel keeps on a-turnin'.

Fundy provided the lyrics over at CMR.

We power up the empty screen
And let the games begin
Far beyond it's poisoning
Is a special kind of sin

We open locks
And break the chains
To let the devil in
We're losing all of what remains
In a war we'll never win
A war that never ends

(Chorus)
God grrrrrr Evil
God grrrrrr it all
God save The People
But God grrrrrr The Walls

Self control is all but gone
The weak time after time
Take the bait and break the bond
But never pay the crime

The only saving grace is love
And we know where that lies
It's what we feel unworthy of
So we don't claim the prize
We never claim the prize.....

(Chorus)
God grrrrrr Evil
God grrrrrr it all
God save The People
But God grrrrrr The Walls



As I read the lyrics, I'm more convinced that it is a case of being edgy for the sake of being edgy.  The verses seem like they were taken from another song and just stuck in here with this chorus.

I have to say, I'm interested by how almost everyone has censored the word "grrrrrr" here. For me, it's not a big issue for me to say the word in its proper context (as a word, or in the act of damning), but I can get that a lot of us aren't as comfortable with it. I always think of C.S. Lewis saying "don't talk damned nonsense" in Mere Christianity. That said, the title still comes across as edginess for the sake of it.

Edit: just realized it autocorrects to grrrrrr. But the verb doesn't

Driven wrote:

Edit: just realized it autocorrects to grrrrrr. But the verb doesn't

 Now that made me laugh.  Now try asking D-i-c-k (Richard) a question and see how that get's censored.

I did it and didn't like the results so I removed the post.

Xid wrote:

I did it and didn't like the results so I removed the post.

Next time you can just hit the "preview" button to see what it will look like before you post it.

Staybrite wrote:

Xid wrote:

I did it and didn't like the results so I removed the post.

Next time you can just hit the "preview" button to see what it will look like before you post it.

Stop being practical and using common sense.  You're making me feel bad.

Grrrr, so frustrating.  Still, it isn't as ridiculous as the in-game chat for the Galaxy of Heroes game, where words like "accumulate" come out as "ac***ulate".

BTW, I actually typed that first word as is.

Driven wrote:

I have to say, I'm interested by how almost everyone has censored the word "grrrrrr" here. For me, it's not a big issue for me to say the word in its proper context (as a word, or in the act of damning), but I can get that a lot of us aren't as comfortable with it. I always think of C.S. Lewis saying "don't talk damned nonsense" in Mere Christianity. That said, the title still comes across as edginess for the sake of it.

Edit: just realized it autocorrects to grrrrrr. But the verb doesn't

When we first set this place up, some words were put in for an autocorrect just to keep the place family friendly.  We did have some underage kids posting back then.  While I tried to keep as much out as possible, I did not sit down and try to add every single little variation of some words. That would have taken a lot of time.  If you want more words censored, I can add those.  I just did the best I knew how to try to keep this place from getting overrun by trolls who just refuse to follow a few simple guidelines.

I don't remember which forum but when I mentioned I saw a poster for a band it displayed as "Faster Smurfy Cat" LOL

MikeInFla wrote:

I don't remember which forum but when I mentioned I saw a poster for a band it displayed as "Faster Smurfy Cat" LOL

I don't know if the newer one does, but the old CMR site censored almost every word as Smurf or Smurfy.  I thought it was hilarious!

Maybe they should have named the album:  "God Smurf Evil".

Xid wrote:

Maybe they should have named the album:  "God Smurf Evil".

That would have been Fan-smurfin-tastic!

alldatndensum wrote:

MikeInFla wrote:

I don't remember which forum but when I mentioned I saw a poster for a band it displayed as "Faster Smurfy Cat" LOL

I don't know if the newer one does, but the old CMR site censored almost every word as Smurf or Smurfy.  I thought it was hilarious!

Now that you mention it, we should do that here instead. Are you game?

Like others have mentioned. I dont like the title. Sounds like a swear

I do not like the Zeus like character on cover. If its indeed used to represent God I think thats a mistake.