A Christian punk is, on a base level, just a Christian who enjoys punk music.
Many Christian punks adopt common punk, hardcore, or straight-edge ideologies. Common ideologies can be anti-consumerism, DIY ethos, anarchism or communism,
vegetarianism,
questioning of social norms, nonconformity, sexual abstinence, straight-edge living, and a distrust or disdain for authority.
Many in the punk subculture reject the term "Christian Punk" as an oxymoron. This is similar to the sentiments felt by many in the metal community about the term "
Christian Metal". Critics claim that punk is, by it's very nature, in direct conflict with the mainstream (
Christianity being included as a part of the mainstream).
Many churches and Christian leaders have rejected Christian Punk for other reasons. Many Christian Punk bands challenge listeners to question authority and social norms. They sometimes promote anarchism or communism. This has led to them being unwelcome in many Christian establishments. Some Christian Punk bands are not bothered by this, however, as they might reject some or all of the church establishment outright.
Defenders of the genre maintain that because of the many differing ideologies within the punk subculture, taking a radical, more libertarian look at the Bible doesn't
necessarily separate an artist from the ideas that have always defined punk. They maintain that being a Christian and rejecting the mainstream are ideas that can coexist.
Punk #1: "Hey,
look at that rocker
over there with the cross and chi-rho!"
Punk #2: "Oh, he must be one of those Christian Punks."
Punk #1: "What's a Christian Punk?"
Punk #2: "
I have no idea."
Church Leader: "You, Mr. Punk Rocker, are not welcome in this establishment. Come back when you can respect authority!"
Christian Punk: "Screw you and your shallow judgement. I'm only here for the free bread!"
