For my research paper, I have chosen to write about the band Marilyn Manson and how they have been rightfully censured and excoriated in conservative circles for the violent, satanic, wicked, and sexually explicit included in their lyrics. So far I have several good sources including a biography of Marilyn Manson (the person, not the band), and interview with the band, and various articles from their attackers denouncing the band and their destructive content. There is plenty of material from both sides to create an interesting paper with plenty of tension.
However, there are two major problems I am facing while writing this paper. The first is burnout. I am so ready to be done with this semester that I am having an extremely hard time keeping up with this class and staying on top of assignments from which I cannot foresee anything valuable being learned. As someone who is nearing the end of my 8th semester in college, there is absolutely no motivation for me to finish this seemingly utterly useless paper than the fact that I have to finish this class to graduate with my Bachelors!
The second problem I am facing is the extremely dark subject matter of Marilyn Manson’s music. Reading about the band, the lives they live, and what they sing about is absolutely oppressive. I realize that writing about this band was my choice, but had I the chance to choose again, I would not choose this band. At the outset, I knew there was good reason for them to be shunned by conservatives (which I am), but had no idea how utterly dark, hopeless, wicked, and sickening their music actually is! It has become not just a battle to keep up with the assignment, but a battle in the soul.
Having experienced this type of darkness by just casually researching the band, I cannot imagine what kind of oppression must exist in those who listen to them on a regular basis. I have commented many times in my blogs this semester that I believe unwholesome music is corrupting the minds of the youth in our culture and will eventually contribute to a moral bankruptcy that will bring America and the rest of the postmodern world to its knees. I persist in this believe, but now see how much more acute the struggle is that just the battle for morality. It is a battle for the heart of our nation. I fear that, due to the influence of bands like Marilyn Manson, the youth of our culture and our world will be rendered incapable of distinguishing truth from falsehood – a tragedy that forebodes the failure of a culture.
Over the past few weeks, writing this paper has been a factor contributing in a growing awareness that I have of the spiritual warfare perpetually raging around the minds and hearts of American culture. I make no apology when I say that I pray everyday for those young hearts and minds to be protected against the pollution and toxicity being hurled at them everyday through their televisions, computer screens, and headphones. Writing this paper has helped me see how venomous this pollution really is. In a sense, then, I am thankful for being forced to write this ‘useless’ paper. It has given me a greater understanding of the challenged being faced by the youth in our culture – perhaps a far more profitable lesson than ever intended for the assignment to teach.
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You definitely picked a very controversial topic and I admire that. There is no way that I could have wrote a paper on Marilyn Manson mainly because of my strong dislike against his way of life. I hope that the final outcome of your paper will be strong and persuasive to anyone who reads it. I can totally level with you on the whole ‘burnt-out” feeling when it comes to school. I took five classes this semester and now I am feeling the pressure of all these classes. My wife and I are both praying for this semester to end smoothly and painlessly. The paper doesn’t seem useless to me though, because every paper I write helps improve my writing skills that much more. I do understand how it can feel useless to you though. Going back to the content of your paper, I also agree when you talk about how people who listen to such dark music and how it affect their lives. This music only leads one way if your willing to follow it, and it is definitely not somewhere good. Anyway. I hope the rest of your paper works out the way you want it to and good luck!
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