Before I get into the topic here, I just want to express my thanks once more for the overwhelming support that Melanie and I have been shown during the illness and subsequent passing of our sister-in-law. Many have also expressed engaging in ongoing prayer for us as we've cared for Melanie's father who has Alzheimer's. We have remarked continually that we are so blessed to have friends who've cared and walked with us (if only vicariously) through these troubling and stress-filled days. Again, Thank You!
Last weekend I ministered eight times in Illinois. Six of those occasions were at the Equip Christian Ministries Convention in Peoria, a conference I have spoken at several times over the past twenty years.
While there, an old friend of ours (I'll call him Grant) came by our display booth to say hello. As we conversed, he asked if I had ever heard of the group "The Insane Clown Posse." That got my attention. Little did my friend know but
that very day pastor and filmmaker Joe Schimmel, Jan Markell, and myself were, among other things, exposing a demented, anarchist brand of rock music on "Understanding the Times" Radio and in particular were illustrating the problem by playing comments from the
Insane Clown Posse. Our program dealt with many facets of the entertainment business, in particular music, and was titled
"Entertained to Death."That day, Grant told me one of the saddest stories that a grandfather could ever reveal as he recounted how his teenaged grandson had become enamored with this kind of music and especially the Insane Clown Posse (
ICP). Here are some of the notes I jotted down as Grant and I talked.
When Greg (not his actual name) was just seven his parents divorced. Circumstances occurred and he fell through the cracks with his family. At 11 he started listening to the Insane Clown Posse. He was encouraged to steal, go against any and all authority and basically hell raise. It was also at 11 that Greg was first arrested.
Both parents had abandoned him and, looking for some form of acceptance and family, Greg got involved in the "Juggalos." If you've never heard of the Juggalos don't feel bad. But you need to be aware, especially if you have teens or children who have been effected by the
ICP. One
definition I found in researching this story was
"Juggalo (feminine Juggalette) is a name given to fans of Insane Clown Posse or any other Psychopathic Records hip hop group." The name stems from a particular 1994 concert by the
ICP.
Before you think this is some obscure group with no influence or reach, the followers of the
ICP - the Juggalos - have been deemed an emerging national criminal gang by the FBI! True to their philosophy, the
ICP has filed a
lawsuit against the Federal Government/FBI citing harassment of its fans, despite the fact that validating and encouraging their followers to commit crimes and engage in anarchy is the theme of the
ICP. This is the exact activity that ensnared Greg.
He'd been doing crimes, such as taking a sledge hammer to the town square to destroy it and steeling guns, among others, in an escalating wave of increasingly violent law breaking. Probation didn't stop him and warrants were out for his arrest in several counties. His crimes were getting worse.
Finally, his girlfriend and he broke probation and tried to run to another state. High on drugs, the pair stole car from a man who merely tried to befriend them and in the process, Greg tried to choke the fellow with a crow bar as his girlfriend yelled "kill him!"
Finally arrested and convicted, Greg was sentenced to five years in the state penitentiary. There, Greg met an inmate who was a Christian. He surrendered to God and made ovations towards trying to get his life under control but unfortunately, he's vacillated back and forth,
because the Juggalos got to him in prison. His fate is yet undetermined.
I was heartbroken hearing my friend tell this account. As a father and grandfather I can't fathom the pain this family has gone through - but it could have turned out much worse than it has thus far for Greg.
The point is that even though we may not completely understand some of the issues and pitfalls in the minefield which is today's youth culture, ignorance - willfully just not wanting to know - doesn't help us act or pray correctly and it certainly won't benefit our children and grandchildren who are the prey for groups like The Insane Clown Posse. This stuff is fueled by the demonic and when it comes to Satan's work, ignorance is never bliss.
I cannot encourage you enough to listen to the recent
Understanding the Times program. Pass it along to other friends or family who may not be aware of the
ICP, the Juggalos, and the culture of violence and death which is being fostered under the guise of "entertainment." (Use the "Forward Email" link at the bottom of this email.) I also have it loaded to our mobile app and on the
www.ericbarger.com homepage as well.
Note that besides the actual radio broadcast, Joe Schimmel and I recorded a special "Web Bonus" podcast that lists suggestions and a plan for parents who
already have problems in their homes as a result from some of the music, movies, video games, and television being peddled in our godless society. Access it
here.
The
Insane Clown Posse clearly displays how bold the Enemy of our souls is now becoming as his reign here on earth winds to a close. There is only one answer to combat Satan's plan - come quickly Lord Jesus!
