Jesus and Indie Rock

Pitchfork Media columnist Chris Dahlen has written an interesting article on Christianity and indie rock. Dahlen claims that faith in Jesus has been totally unhip in the indie rock world. However, with the popularity of Sufjan Stevens, and particularly with the release of Stevens' Seven Swans, artists who profess faith in Jesus are throwing the idie rock world for a loop. First of all, I find his claim a little over-stated. There are plenty of artists who are Christians who seem to be thoroughly accepted in the indie world - Pedro the Lion, Innocence Mission, Anathallo, Eisley, etc. Admittedly, I may have a wrong perception of their treatment in the indie rock realm.

Regardless, Dahlen makes a plee for tolerance on behalf of the believing rockers and concludes his column, saying:

"You can disagree with the church of your choice, but to dismiss religion altogether - and to write off the best ideas, the best people and of course, the best indie rockers - that come out of it, seems pointless. Why shoot the messenger just because you're scared he has a message?"