Christianity Is Stupid
Encyclopedia
"Christianity Is Stupid" is the most well-known song from Negativland
's 1987 breakthrough album, Escape from Noise
. In the song, Negativland rearranges words and phrases to form a different meaning. They sampled phrases from a 1971 sermon by Rev. Estus Pirkle
(from his film If Footmen Tire You, What Will Horses Do?
). Pirkle's narrative included an imagined visit to the U.S. under Communism where public loudspeakers constantly proclaim "Christianity is stupid! Communism is good! Give up!" These phrases were taken out of context and mixed with appropriately march-like heavy metal music
and various other sound effects.
In 2004, the song was made into a video entitled "The Mashin' of the Christ" that sampled many Jesus Christ-topic films and footage from Marxist-Leninist countries.
murders. They said that the FBI had directed them to stay close to home for further questioning. Brom, 16 at the time, had killed his family with an axe. Negativland's press release was picked up by San Francisco Bay Area media, including CBS News. Negativland recorded much of the news about their supposed influence on Brom, and in 1989 worked this material into another album called Helter Stupid
. Eventually, Negativland exposed their own hoax during an NPR
interview on the subject.
Negativland
Negativland is an experimental music and sound collage band which originated in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1970s. They took their name from a Neu! song, while their record label is named after another Neu! song...
's 1987 breakthrough album, Escape from Noise
Escape from Noise
Escape from Noise is a 1987 album by Negativland. It marked the band's first break on an established independent record label, SST Records. On this album, they continued to develop their experimental style. The group also incorporated elements of pop music with shorter tracks and more conventional...
. In the song, Negativland rearranges words and phrases to form a different meaning. They sampled phrases from a 1971 sermon by Rev. Estus Pirkle
Estus Pirkle
Estus Washington Pirkle was a Baptist minister from New Albany, Mississippi. In addition to his preaching, Pirkle was known for creating and starring in his own Christian films as well as writing numerous books...
(from his film If Footmen Tire You, What Will Horses Do?
If Footmen Tire You, What Will Horses Do?
If Footmen Tire You, What Will Horses Do? is a 1971 Christian film directed by Ron Ormond.The film is based on the teachings of Rev. Estus Pirkle and warns of the dangers facing the United States from Communist infiltrators. The film suggests that the only way to avoid such a fate is to turn to...
). Pirkle's narrative included an imagined visit to the U.S. under Communism where public loudspeakers constantly proclaim "Christianity is stupid! Communism is good! Give up!" These phrases were taken out of context and mixed with appropriately march-like heavy metal music
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
and various other sound effects.
In 2004, the song was made into a video entitled "The Mashin' of the Christ" that sampled many Jesus Christ-topic films and footage from Marxist-Leninist countries.
Controversy
Because of a shortage of funds and free time, Negativland was unable to tour in support of their 1987 album. To explain the absence from touring, Negativland issued a mock press release saying that the song "Christianity Is Stupid" had played a role in the David BromDavid Brom
David Brom is an American murderer. He killed his parents, brother and sister with an axe in February 1988 near Rochester, Minnesota.-Crimes:...
murders. They said that the FBI had directed them to stay close to home for further questioning. Brom, 16 at the time, had killed his family with an axe. Negativland's press release was picked up by San Francisco Bay Area media, including CBS News. Negativland recorded much of the news about their supposed influence on Brom, and in 1989 worked this material into another album called Helter Stupid
Helter Stupid
Helter Stupid is Negativland's second album on SST Records, released in 1989. It was Negativland's first attempt at a concept album.-Structure:...
. Eventually, Negativland exposed their own hoax during an NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
interview on the subject.