I'm a strong Christian who is also passionate about music, especially rock. I am reading the book "Hanging In There" by John Dixon (which is about Christianity). However, I struggled with the chapter about Satan (chapter 12) entitled: "The devil and co." when Dixon says: "Some bloke...would hold up his hand to make the sign of the Devil (fist closed, pointer and pinky outstretched)". http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=rock+on+hand&btnG=Search+Images , http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper420/stills/1ddx2l9k.gif
I was surprised and shocked to read this because I understand this gesture to be a symbol used in rock music by music fans at concerts a lot. I find it difficult to stick to Christian principles and appreciate rock music but I have used the symbol in the past not realising it was the symbol for Satan.
Feeling bothered by it, I researched it on wikipedia and discovered the American sign language symbol for "love" http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper420/stills/1ddx2l9k.gif . When most rock music fans use the "rock hand" sign are they promoting the Devil or promoting love?
As a Christian should I stop using the "rock hand" altogether, instead adopt the sign language gesture for "love" or continue using the "rock hand" regardless (although it will seriously raise doubts in my mind) ?
Cheers for reading this guys. Thanks in advance. XD
1 comment… read it below or add one
That’s so interesting. I knew it was the devil’s horn signs but didn’t know the love symbol was so similar.
This sounds corny, but I think it only matters what’s in your heart. A lot of people make this gesture at concerts and I bet 99.9% of them don’t worship the devil, so I think the meaning of the the hand gesture has changed in perception (why is there even a connection between rock music and the devil?? very strange, I’ll never understand it).
I think you should hold your thumb out from now on (although it’s more of a strain on your hand), we should all start the trend. It actually makes more sense to use it. You “love” the music. You don’t support the devil.
Good question!