I wanted to take the time to write and thank you for your recent story, “Insane Clowns for Jesus.” I research news items for a Web site called faygoluvers.net and I was completely awestruck about not only how unbiased and straightforward you were, but that you actually took the time to get to know us, instead of simply passing judgment based on opinions of people who have no clue what we are about.
I grew up in a very religious home. I sadly lost my way as a teenager and got involved in drugs and gangs. I lost all that faith I had learned to have and walked a path of nothing but hatred and destruction.
What drew me to ICP was the violence and craziness of what they rapped, but at the same time, I was lucky in that I was able to recognize some of the deeper meanings in a lot of the songs. I remember hearing The Great Milenko for the first time and thinking, behind it all, these guys are trying to say, “Hey, live a good life.”
I kept catching the messages behind the music. By the time I heard “Thy Unveiling,” I was a sobbing mess. Here I was a broken man, in shambles, and two men from Detroit rapping about murder and mayhem had restored my faith in God.
I went on to actually earn a degree in theology and became an ordained minister. Although I do not follow an organized religion (I actually abhor them), I believe in God. It might be in a different aspect than most, but I have seen far too many things in my life salvaged and saved because of God’s existence.
Rev. Big Irish Juggalo
Omaha, Nebraska
Slash backlash
I’m very disappointed in this week’s Phoenix, and your cover story, “Gay Tea Party Witch Sex!” When you resort to this sort of juvenile mockery of public figures, it makes it seem like you’re doing it because you have no actual, substantive reasons to criticize them. (Which you do have, right?) I know you’re just having fun, but I think it’s counterproductive, and boring.
Dan Moynihan
Brookline
