Note: I ran the concept of this post past a reader before I wrote it, and I got the impression that I maybe needed to find a different angle. This can like to be that angle.
Now. On with the post.
Bring back Bok!
That was my cry when I started getting adverts and flyers for this concert all over my socials and emails:
For those who aren’t aware, I have been plagued by Afrikaans singing sensation Bok van Blerk for many years now. Much like Herpes, your presence on his mailing lists is something that you simply can’t get rid of, no matter how many drugs you take or how desperately you try.
But could Lighthouse – that’s these guys:
We are Lighthouse, a family band that loves making music for Jesus, our Lord, and Savior!
actually be worse than Bok?
Yes. Yes, I rather think that they could.
They’ve been aggressively marketing their upcoming Praise and Worship Aand (evening) in Struisbaai this weekend all over my internet. They might even have taken it further: I haven’t looked at the front of my house, but it wouldn’t surprise me if their ubiquitous message had been daubed all over there as well.
They’ve also been punting their BIG SONG: Fear Of The Lord (negative reinforcement is rarely a successful means of control, and this title doesn’t seem to suggest a good way to run any sort of organisation to me) in partnership with the popular series “The Chosen”, on Youtube (76 subscribers).
They tell us:
Go stream it free on The Chosen App. It’s a must-watch!
Hmm. Citation required.
At this point, I usually say something along the lines of:
I did this, so you don’t have to.
But in this case: no chance. You’re on your own.
I did watch the music video though:
Part smiley Jesus (especially when he realises that he’s turned the water into wine, lol), part Afrikaans singing family in their local school hall.
But wait. There’s more!
Binge Jesus for Free on thechosen[dot]tv/app
How exactly do you “Binge Jesus”? What does that process involve?
Yes, in the video, it does seem like he’s a nice bloke.
Yes, in the video, she does seem to have a pretty good voice.
But that doesn’t mean that you have to get tangled up with what almost exactly half of Americans think saved Donald Trump from that bullet in Pennsylvania.
Let’s cut to the chase: I won’t be down in Struisbaai this weekend, and so I won’t be seeing Lighthouse in concert at the Suiderlig Dienssentrum. I will miss Pastor Walters Joubert from Bredasdorp.
Their appeal to:
Kom geniet die Aand saam met ons!
has fallen upon stony ground.
They should at least understand that metaphorical reference.
Meanwhile, in a cruel twist of fate, look who has pulled into my inbox again this afternoon:
This time, he’s singing about the threat that the Afrikaans people and language are [allegedly] facing, and trying to inspire (and here I quote):
…a new generation of Afrikaners who would like to remember the past, preserve it and build on what was good.
Ah yes. The good old days in South Africa.
Bit awkward. Especially since the title of the song is in Dutch (although there is a lengthy backstory, which I read, so you don’t have to) (see? I am a nice guy, really).
Oh man. Nationalist politics or Organised religion?
My two most very favourite things which are doing so much the make the world a better place right now.
Shall we just not?
Was that ok? Do you think?