Alice Cooper goes with God: 'Shock-rock' pioneer now 'dedicated to follow Christ'

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Friday, March 1, 2002

[JohnHuang2]

Alice Cooper says he loves God but doesn't want to become a 'celebrity' believer.

The father of shock rock whose music and stage antics have outraged parents for more than 30 years told how the fear of hell turned him to God.

Alice Cooper, who sang about necrophilia and chopped up baby dolls during his concerts, said that although he continues to record and tour with a theatrical horror-style show, "My life is dedicated to follow Christ."

Although he became a Christian in the 1980s, apart from brief comments in some interviews the 54-year-old singer has always been guarded about his faith – until now. But in a frank interview with a Christian music magazine, he spoke at length publicly for the first time about his love for God and reluctance to become a "Christian celebrity."

A chart-topper with the teen anthem "School's Out," Cooper – who legally changed his name from Vince Furnier – has been credited with paving the way for the likes of today's outrageous performers such as Marilyn Manson.

Cover of Cooper's latest album, DragonTown

But he maintains that his act was never political or religious and always had "a sense of humor." He told HM: The Hard Music Magazine that he was always insulted whenever he was accused of being satanic. Raised in a Christian home, he still believed in God, although he was not committed.

That changed when alcoholism threatened his marriage. He and his wife, Sheryl, attended a church with a "hellfire pastor." Cooper said he became a Christian "initially more out of the fear of God, rather than the love of God ... I did not want to go to hell." Interviewed for HM's March/April issue, Cooper views his faith as "an ongoing thing."

"Being a Christian is something you just progress in. You learn. You go to your Bible studies. You pray," he said.

He has avoided "celebrity Christianity," because "it's really easy to focus on Alice Cooper and not on Christ. I'm a rock singer. I'm nothing more than that. I'm not a philosopher. I consider myself low on the totem pole of knowledgeable Christians. So, don't look for answers from me."

Yet he has been able to speak to others in the music scene about his faith.

"I've had a couple of people that were friends of mine that I've talked to that have vocally said they have [accepted Christ]. I have talked to some big stars about this, some really horrific characters ... and you'd be surprised. The ones that you would think are the furthest gone are the ones that are more apt to listen."

Songs on Cooper's more recent recordings have hinted at his change of heart. He sees his stage persona now as "the prophet of doom," telling people: "'Be careful! Satan is not a myth. Don't sit around pretending like Satan is just a joke.' I think my job is to warn about Satan."

He no longer performs some of his older repertoire. Any song promoting promiscuous sex and drinking "gets the axe," he said. "I'm very careful about what the lyrics are. I tried to write songs that were equally as good, only with a better message."

Cooper told HM he answers his critics: "'I was one thing at one time, and I'm something new. I'm a new creature now. Don't judge Alice by what he used to be. Praise God for what I am now.'"

[Verax]

That is a terrible thing to say...and entirely unChristian...

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance" - (Lk. 15:4-7).

[Pistias]

Cordial of you, being the scythe of death and all...:)

cuz i really wonder about whatll become of them.

Every one, therefore, who shall confess in me before men, I also will confess in him before my Father who is in the heavens; and whoever shall deny me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in the heavens.
Matthew 10:32-3

[MetalHeadConservative35]

That is a terrible thing to say...and entirely unChristian...

its ok he cleared that up

thanks for that bible verse thats the truth

[peabers]

I've had the pleasure of interviewing Alice Cooper for a metal radio show I did back in the 80s. He's an absolute gentleman, and he has always referred to the character Alice in the 3rd person. His personal behaviour in no way reflects Alice.

He also began to clean up his act (personal) in the mid-70s.

[MetalHeadConservative35]

hahahahahahaha

my name is from an anime series (im a kid stuck in a mans body)

the only time i become the scythe of death is during hockey games(im a goalie and a mean one at that)

thanks for the bible verse

[MetalHeadConservative35]

http://forcedex.tripod.com

my band has a song on MP3 check it out

[Bobby777]

actually Alice Cooper (nee Vincent Furnier) has been a Christian for quite some time ... I heard about this years ago ... he even made reference to it when he appeared on Letterman or Leno last year ....

hang in there Vincent ...

Bobby

http://www.SufferingMessiah.Com/

[Pistias]

the only time i become the scythe of death is during hockey games(im a goalie and a mean one at that)

LOL!--I think somewhere in the Apocrypha there's a special dispensation to be forgiven for not loving thy neighbor when playing hockey...

[MetalHeadConservative35]

Apocrypha there's a special dispensation to be forgiven for not loving thy neighbor when playing hockey...

YEP!!!! it reads:Thou shall love thy neighbor...unless he crowds your crease!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

[MetalHeadConservative35]

Ok everyone im outta here its 4:00am michigan time so im retiring

may the lord be with u all!

Fregards

Dan

P.S thanks for the link bobby ill look at it tomorrow

[Calico Cat]

Actually, the lyric is "Go ask Alice what the DORMOUSE said." It's from "Alice in Wonderland"; during the trial scene, the Mad Hatter is asked what went on at the Tea Party. Asked repeatedly what the Dormouse (a guest at the party) said, the Hatter repeated, "I don't remember. I don't remember." Sorry, I know it's WAY off topic...just had to clear that up (not that anybody else cares.)

[Redcloak]

Congratulations. You have just typed the dumbest post ever.

[GeronL]

please read the other posts too, your taking it out of context

[Redcloak]

I looked at the follow-ups you had to post. You wouldn't have been making those posts had the original not been so stupid.

I take it that you're a Christian. Your post makes us look like bigoted fools. Some example for non-believers! Perhaps we'd be "better off"...

Do you get the point?

If I were you, I'd hit the abuse button on myself and ask a moderator to delete it.

[philman_36]

Well done. I took liberties...
You are correct on the lyrics for White Rabbit.
I don't think that "doormouse" would have worked, though I'm glad you caught the gist of it. The admonition to "feed your head" is somewhat applicable also, if you know what I mean.
I consider myself low on the totem pole of knowledgeable Christians. So, don't look for answers from me.
Alice did admit to not being as knowledgable as he would like to be.

[absinthe]

Christianity is better off without him, and you can't say that about too many people.

A confessed felon facing crucifixion was good enough for Jesus. He did nothing in life to deserve Paradise, except Believe during his last moments on earth. I'll give Alice Cooper the benefit of the doubt (though I probably won't ever buy his music).

[gulfcoast6]

What a change. It happens all the time and 'by grace you are received'.

[Gun142]

Christianity is better off without him, ...

I'm a little late to 'pile on' but I think you're wrong about the statement above.

Cooper has a past, he learned from it. He's an excellent example that a person doesn't have to be stuck in a way of life that's destructive and\or immoral. People will see this as it is possible.

He has a lot of bag to make statements about his faith in today's PC climate. I've met so many hypocrites who claim to be Christians, but were nothing more than a self-serving fool just looking down on others. Alice sounds like a person who knows where he's been, knows where he's at, and knows where he wants [needs] to be.

If I had to choose between being like Alice or being a fool, I'd rather be a genuine Cooper Christian.

[Jmouse007]

As another sinner saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, totally apart from works; I rejoice over Mr. C's salvation. It is always good to remember that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, just like Alice and me.

God's word is clear: "for WHOEVER (Alice included) shall call upon the name of the Lord, SHALL BE SAVED". (Romans !0:13, emphasis mine) "To AS MANY as RECEIVED HIM (Jesus Christ), to them He gave the RIGHT to BECOME CHILDREN of GOD". (John 1:12, emphasis mine)

Dr. S

[willieroe]

Not only is Alice Christian, but according to a minister friend of mine who recognized him several years back, Alice is a member of a Southern Baptist church.