In a recent interview, Jars of Clay vocalist Dan Haseltine expressed several frustrations about being a Christian music artist. He seems to feel that his core audience is out of touch with reality, or at least his perception of it. The subtitle of the article reads, "Sure, this band is religious...but that doesn't mean it's Republican". Because we all know every Christian is an old white guy who votes a straight GOP ticket without blinking an eye...ergo, uncool. Here's an excerpt of the article, featuring some of what Haseltine had to say:

  "There's such a facade that we have all our crap together, that we don't wrestle with what other people have to wrestle with," Haseltine says about Christians. "And that's just not true."
  For Christian musicians, this is a stark and dangerous comment. Most fill their interviews with praise and thanks to the Lord - giving Him credit for all musical talent, success and fortune that comes in their careers.
  Others deflect attention to charity projects aimed at helping others.
  Frankly, it's always felt forced, as if sharing their honest opinions on topics like politics or social problems would offend Christian fans who simply want to hear praise and worship calls over a rockin' rhythm.
  According to Haseltine, that's exactly the truth, and he's frustrated by it.
  "People want to buy what they want to be told," he says. "They want people to lie to them."

This is incredible condescension by Haseltine. Does he and other CCM artists who feel this way honestly think that people who enjoy their music are oblivious to the harsh realities of life, or that they stubbornly insist their musical heroes of any stripe adopt a similar mindset?
  Artists like Nichole Nordeman have made a name for themselves by offering both sides of the coin: thoughtful examination of the challenges that come with living life in Christ and reconciling that with the rest of the world, as well as heartfelt praise and thanks to their Lord. The point that Haseltine and his band apparently fail to grasp is that the music they and others offer gives those who need it a break from their problems. It's not about wanting to be lied to, it's about getting an oasis once in a while!
  Besides, it's not as if JOC has never dragged dark waters before. For example, consider these lyrics from their song, "Frail", which is actually one of my favorites of theirs:

Blessed are the shallow

Depth they'll never find
Seems to be some comfort
In rooms I try to hide
Exposed beyond the shadows
You take the cup from me
Your dirt removes my blindness
Your pain becomes my peace

If I was not so weak

If I was not so cold
If I was not so scared of being broken
Growing old
I would be...

  Pretty stark, eh? And Haseltine's complaining he doesn't get to do this enough because Christians won't buy his records anymore if he does? I do have a problem with fellow believers who think it's part of their holy orders to sport a 24/7 painted-on smile. I agree there are plenty of them. But I have a bigger problem with someone like Haseltine, who insults his audience by broadly painting all of them in this fashion!
  So he disagrees with the war in Iraq. So he's a total Bush-basher. So what? This is America...go ahead and use your freedom to express these opinions! Should JOC be "Dixie-Chicked" for it? Perplexed certainly doesn't think so. Christian audiences are generally quite forgiving of these kinds of things anyway, even if they don't necessarily agree with them. One only need examine the continued popularity of Amy Grant to put this in perspective. In actuality, I've met quite a large number of believers who do agree with his views!
  Haseltine also asks, "Why can't a Christian artist write a great song about sex?" Well gee Dan...probably because most of your core audience is young people who haven't yet developed the mature understanding of such things, the way you and I and other adults have! The subject itself isn't taboo...it's how you deal with it that matters. It's the fact that if young kids and teenagers were to hear you singing about it, they might only pick up how "awesome" it is and just have to go try it!
  As far as I'm concerned, Jars Of Clay can rock the boat all they want. They can go secular...I'll still listen, because I enjoy music for what it says to me, not for what "category" it's in. I just don't want to see Haseltine setting up his fans to be the scapegoat if doing so hurts his band's bottom line. There is truth in suffering...but it's not the only truth. To avoid this balance, the way that JOC seems to want to do, is simply lying to yourself.