More Reasons to Love the Sounders, Soccer
Seattlest Pix 09Nov20
Friendly Folk-Pop for the Kids: Hey Marseilles at Vera This Saturday
Excavator Rampage in Stanwood
Can't Miss It: Weekend Edition Nov 20-22
Yesterday we did a post on Mars Hill and their big article on Salon.com and we definitively established that they're a cult in the comments. So that's settled. Today we've got to mention them again because the Mars Hill blog announced overnight that they'll be up and running in West Seattle on October 1st, but it won't be at their new facility out there because it won't be ready in time. For the time being they'll be holding services at Chief Sealth High School. West Seattle Blog wonders if anyone will care about this comingling of church and state.
Seattle Metblogs also noticed the Salon article yesterday and took the occasion to ask a question about the Paradox music venue:
Although I've been to a few shows at the Paradox and wondered just what the "Mars Hill" signage on the club was all about, those questions pretty much dissolved once the music started.
And they were answered in the comments:
Re: the paradox - It is a ministry of MHC. We believe that having such a venue fosters artistic creativity in the city. Art is an important part of interacting with God. Many people who do not go to the church are involved with running the shows there and we like it that way. We offer the space as an all ages venue and ask nothing in return. Somtimes you don't need a mouth to preach.
Amen. We did not know that.
This recent-ish P-I article talks more about Mars Hll and the Paradox and a positively ancient Stranger article on the Paradox contains the quote:
"The church does own the building," says Jennings, "but anytime a show says 'Paradox,' the event will be for everyone. There's no bait and switch.
Which is in conflict with this from some random Mars Hill-related blog:
5. On music: Would you tell me about the group of Mars Hill volunteers known as The Paradox? I gather they sponsor all-age music events designed to engage the local culture without being "in-your-face" about the Gospel message.In the late 90's, there were few options in Seattle for street kids to do at night besides get involved in the drug scene. The Paradox is an all-age concert venue started by MH to give underage youths a safe place to gather. It is staffed primarily by volunteers, many who are from MH but a good many also who are just enthusiasts in the Seattle music scene. The ministry is geared toward being a good-will service to the community, but also as a way to introduce people to MH. For many, going to a concert at the Paradox is their first experience stepping inside a church building or receiving Christian hospitality.
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
Use of schools and/or other public facilities by churches is not a "comingling of church and state". Churches have the same right to rent or use public facilities as any other organization, be they secular, liberal, conservative, etc. under the established policies of the relevant agency. Note - the courts have determined in several jurisdictions that those established policies CANNOT discriminate against religious groups.
the paradox got some (deservedly) bad press when they were in the theater on the ave by not being upfront about the church owning the building. that's clearly no longer an issue.
a volunteer told me that their lease says that after paying the bands and covering all the other expenses of running the show, any leftover money would be due to the church. it hasn't happened yet. i guess it works, but i'm going to make sure it isn't my dollar that puts them over the top.
So how long have they owned the Paradox? Is it really that bad of a thing? It's a venue for people to play shows, they don't jam their beliefs down your throat and because at some point, MAYBE they will make a dollar of of all of the volunteer hours people put in (out of their own choice) it's horrible? If it's a good show, who really cares? I go to alot of places where I have no idea who ownes the lease on a building. Do I agree with everything that lease owner, who I don't know, does? Probably not. Do I care? Not usually.
It's not a cult, get over it. Also, what was the bad press? Any links?
Dale is right.
Also is guest...
It's not a cult - get over yourselves.
Jason, whoever you were speaking with that volunteers at the Paradox has it wrong.
We pay rent for the night to use the space, everything after that goes to pay for expenses (promotions) and then the rest goes to the bands.
We don't make a profit at the Paradox (the rent we pay doesn't even come close to covering property taxes on the building) - so the church doesn't make any money from it. The amount they bring in from their congregation is really what keeps them going.
Just wanted to clarify!
- Alicia (Programming Director for the Paradox)
no, it's not a cult (a term i'd object to, anyway, even if applicable). it's evangelical christianity. even if i don't care what they believe, i have every right to find the church's actions objectionable. proselytizing, even if not actively done in the club, bothers me. i've skipped shows there because of the connection.
i don't want my money supporting their beliefs or actions. i do think it's a bad thing because i'm supportive of the local music industry, and definitely all-ages venues, but won't support this one. plenty of all-ages clubs in this region(vera, cafe fusion, old fire house, kirkland teen union building, halcyon) exist without ideological support many find repugnant. i'm glad the volunteers are happy with their choice, but i don't have to support them.
if i found out that any business in which i was a patron was potentially using their money for such a reason, i'd stop going. i've still never stepped foot inside a wal-mart. just because you don't care doesn't mean the rest of us should fall in line.
I'll tell you what's a cult: Husky Football...GO DAWGS! BEAT FRESNO STATE!
jason - did you hear what alicia just said? it is supported by mhc -- money doesn't go to them. it's a gift from someone you don't like. so sure, you don't have to accept it, but going is not supporting...