Stryper’s Michael Sweet Defends Louisiana’s New Law Displaying Ten Commandments in Public Schools
Background and Controversy
House Bill 71, a new law in Louisiana, requires every public school classroom to display the Ten Commandments, a decision that has sparked controversy among critics who argue it goes against the separation of church and state. However, Stryper’s frontman, Michael Sweet, has come out in defense of the law.
Michael Sweet’s Thoughts on the Matter
In a recent conversation with The Metal Voice, Sweet shared his thoughts on the law. "Just about everything else is allowed in schools right now," he said. "Children basically pledging allegiance to a rainbow flag. You know, that’s OK, that’s perfectly acceptable. I mean so why can’t the Ten Commandments be in there? Why can’t the Bible be in there?"
Sweet admitted that he’d "have to research and read up on" the law before fully endorsing it, but insisted his opinion was more about a perceived double standard. "If we’re going to allow everything else [in the classroom], then you have to allow everything else, or not," he explained.
The Evolution of Stryper
In the same conversation, Sweet discussed Stryper’s upcoming album, When We Were Kings, noting that the band continues to evolve. "We’re not the Stryper of ’86," he said. "We never will be ever again and we’re not ashamed of that. We’re a new band. Now this is Stryper 2024 and hopefully everyone’s still on board and there’s new people coming on board now with the new sound."
He went on to explain that while there are some modern elements in their new music, they are not a modern rock band. "We want to step into 2024 and not sound like 1986 again. We’ve evolved, and we’re not afraid to show it."
Upcoming Album and Tour
When asked about Stryper’s upcoming album, Sweet confirmed that it will be released on September 13th. There is no word on an upcoming tour at this time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Michael Sweet has spoken out in defense of Louisiana’s new law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments. While some critics argue the law goes against the separation of church and state, Sweet sees it as a matter of equality. "If we’re going to allow everything else [in the classroom], then you have to allow everything else, or not," he explained.
It will be interesting to see how the band’s music evolves in the coming years. Will they continue to incorporate new sounds and styles into their music, or will they return to their roots? Only time will tell.
FAQs
Q: Why did Michael Sweet defend Louisiana’s new law?
A: Sweet argued that the law is a matter of equality, stating that if schools allow certain symbols, they should allow others, including the Ten Commandments.
Q: Does Michael Sweet think the law goes against the separation of church and state?
A: Not explicitly, but his argument centers around the idea of allowing everything else in the classroom, implying that he doesn’t see a distinction between religious and non-religious symbols.
Q: How does Stryper’s upcoming album, When We Were Kings, differ from their older work?
A: According to Michael Sweet, the band’s new album features modern elements, but they are not a modern rock band and aim to evolve their sound while remaining true to their roots.
Q: Will Stryper be touring to support their new album?
A: No official word has been released on an upcoming tour at this time.
