As long as I’ve gone to concerts, I’ve seen thousands of fans throw their fingers in the air as they rock out to the music. Some people told me it was “the devil sign” and the fingers represent the devil’s horns.Other people told me it means “yeah… rock and roll, man!”
So – the devil? Or rock and roll? Which is it?
I guess if you’re not a Christian you don’t care. It’s just what you do in “a cool moment”.
What about if you’re a Christian? Do you care if you’re making “the devil sign” or do you think you’re making the “rock and roll, yeah man” sign.
I never really knew what it meant, so as a Christian, I never made the sign. Oddly, I never asked either. Imagine that. Why didn’t I ask?
Someone brought it to my attention this week, telling me that it is the sign of the devil. Instead of taking their word for it I went on a journey to find out the meaning behind the sign. I did a survey, asking my musician friends and other music fans – what does it mean to you?
(Now, this isn’t scientific and I don’t have charts and graphs to support my findings, so – it is what it is. However my “research” is based on answers given by Christians.)
Group 1 makes up the smallest group. They claim it is “the devil sign”. They are certain. There were no musicians in this group.
Group 2 is a wee bit larger. This group has answers that range from defensive to moronic. “It used to be the devil sign but it no longer is”. I asked “Who made that decision?” I was assured, it just is. Like I should know better!
Group 3 makes up the vast majority – maybe 75%. (Remember, I only surveyed Christians.) Even the musicians, who make this sign from the stage, don't know if it's “the rock on sign" or “the devil sign” but they say, it's not a big deal. "It’s ok, coz it’s cool”. Ya, you're cool.
I’m a Christian. I don’t knowingly support something if I don't know what it is, especially if it's questionable. After all these years of not knowing, I took the time to dig up some answers. Hmmm ... it sure seems like “the devil sign” to me - and that’s not something I want to do. Even Group 3 - the majority - admit that it might be "the devil sign" but they're comfortable either way. Even if it's the devil sign.
I guess I’m in Group 1. The smallest group. I must be a legalist.
I had no idea that it meant "hail to the devil" or whatever. I thought it just meant "rock on" or something to that effect.
ReplyDeleteMy question is if no one knows it means "hail to the devil" does it really mean that?
In some countries shaking hands is an offensive gesture, (Like giving someone the finger). So does that mean we should no longer shake hands? You could attend Kennedy Road Tabernacle on Sundays, but go to Quebec and name drop your church and you're putting a loonie into the swear jar. Singing along with the Flinstones theme song used to be harmless, now those same words will have the intercessory prayer team outside your door in minutes. Christmas and Easter used to be pagan holidays.
My point? Culture determines meaning. So if culture says it means "rock on" then that is what it means. Perhaps that's why when Paul says "let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth" he doesn't list specific "swear words?" I was once told that any word could be a swear word. If I call someone a "stupid piece of popcorn" does it really matter that I didn't use the s-word if the intent is the same?
Look at the heart and spirit behind the action. Is that person really proclaiming Satan as the ultimate power in the universe? I doubt it.
Just my 2 cents.
I am with AJ on this... the peace sign in North America has a considerably different connotation in the UK... even the swastika originally had a religious meaning and the 5 pointed star was corrupted... Christians originally commonly used the pentagram to represent the five wounds of Jesus... even some inverted ones appear on church facades... symbols can change over time as can their meanings... and if it's to something positive... than why not ROCK ON :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.strayreality.com/Lanis_Strayreality/necronomicon_5.htm
ReplyDeleteScroll down to the hand signs...creepy...
I'm Anonymous I guess.
ReplyDeleteJason W.
Hey Scott, Pastor Andrew here, I must be a legalist too then because I would be in group 1, I would not support something wihtout knowing something about it, and knowing that the majority are okay either way (devil or just cool) is serious. The problem with letting culture dictate what is the meaning of things is that culture changes all the time so that what is taboo today is somehow okay say 5 - 10 years from now. Our basis for what's okay as believers needs to come from Scripture alone - not what society says. Thanks for all you do Scott and everyone else at Life 100.3 - I love the station!
ReplyDeleteHey Scott,
ReplyDeleteThe sign seems to have morphed from those 2 fingers AND the thumb out, down to just the fingers. I worked with a crazy sales guy one time that went around flashing the sign in celebration saying, "Horns n tails baby, horns n tails". No discernment needed there. When something is "gray" I choose to play it safe to honor Jesus. My conscience doesn't convict me that way!