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The Six Sins Of Marilyn Manson
This time, it’s a group calling itself Citizens for Peace and Respect demanding that the Thin White Ghoul stay the heck out of Dodge. The group was founded by youth pastor Jason Janz of the South Sheridan Baptist Church in Lakewood, Colo., a suburban outpost of Denver.
Any mention of Manson and Denver in the same breath seems to provoke a reaction. Earlier this year, the Denver Post reported that Manson had nixed his Ozzfest appearance but, in fact, he had never been confirmed for the show, an Interscope rep told Pollstar.
The June 21 Ozzfest gig would mark the first appearance by Manson within a stone’s throw of the city since he canceled a tour stop there following the 1999 Columbine High School shootings.
Despite much evidence the two teenage shooters weren’t even fans of Manson – and reportedly even disliked his music – the darkly theatrical singer instantly became the cultural fall guy for the tragedy.
Two years later, it appears he still is.
“We as a society seem to have grown numb to evil. There’s a throwing up of our hands in exasperation, a feeling that we can’t do anything to fight it,” Janz said on behalf of the church-affiliated group calling on Manson to bow out.
“We’re against him because he promotes six things,” Janz told Rolling Stone. “We believe he promotes hate, violence, death, suicide, drug use, and the attitudes and actions of the Columbine killers.”
Manson was en route to the U.S. from London and unavailable for comment, but a rep for the artist confirmed that presently there are no plans to cancel the appearance.