Straight Edge
Before I get off, I wanted to address the issue (my issue) of straight edge. This group of punks is dedicated to three restrictions, no drugs, no alcohol, no sex until marriage. Now I have been in argument with someone who follows this to the extreme, reading Peta only news (will not hear the other side of an issue), purchasing a hemp wallet and shoes, and becoming a vegan. The straight edge website recommends one to become a vegetarian, and presents principles to be followed.
My question is, what is straight edge? I can understand the no drugs, no alcohol, and no sex very easily. I subscribe to this myself. But I do not take it to the extreme of making a presentation of it, putting an X on my hands to mark my commitment. Is this a religion...is this a cult? In my opinion, it depends on the extent to which the person takes the doctrine. Any other opinions?
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It should be noted here that this "Straight Edge" phenomenon DOES have a religious element. One of my fellow Religion/English major buddies, an evangelical Christian with obvious punk tendencies, has informed me of this...I have never been to an official punk concert myself. Although this friend of mine can appreciate both literalist Christianity and punk music, he reserves a special distaste for Straight Edgers...some of them like to mosh violently and treat other non-Straight Edgers with disrespect. But perhaps the left-wing Puritanism of Straight Edge has been co-opted by the evangelical right of punk music. Dig deeper, and you might find some more information on this.
But one question...how do you undertake the discernment of a "cult?" Is that even a word that can be used neutrally by religious scholars?
The "straight edger" seems to feel superior, and presents himself as if he has realized the err of civilization...they have no desire to hear the other side.
On the discernment of "cult", I probably shouldn't have used that term. The definition changes with every reading, but in the Sociology of Religion, currently it is the focus on a particular diety (or person). J.G. Melton defending the Local Church (and others) is an example of how definitions can vary. My (current) view is only to follow the definition of the author. Walter Martin is completely different than Max Weber.
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