She claims the Christian faith but you might think otherwise

Singin4Him82 · 01-25-2003, 02:03 PM

I can't believe what I just read about this band I've loved for so long....

check it out for yourself, it's rather disapointing.http://pulse.towerrecords.com/conten...ontentId=5693.

R2D2 · 01-26-2003, 11:33 AM

Are you sure that link is correct? I tried it and got nothing.

Jay42 · 01-26-2003, 12:18 PM

The link worked for me.

Your browser might be picky with the "." at the end of the URL. You could try taking out the period and then refreshing.

Anyhoo...

In the article the lead singer, Leigh Nash, is basically saying she is still a Christian but has a lot of doubts in her faith right now because of how bad things happen to good people (this is a stumbling block for MANY people, I have been noticing!)

Aside from that, she doesn't want Sixpence None the Richer to be categorized as a Christian band. This is an issue that has been debated on CGR before (particularly with P.O.D. and Lifehouse).

I don't have a big problem with the band label thing. The basic reason for that is they want their albums to be accessible to the mainstream public and not stuck in some dusty corner in the back of a store and called "religious music".

But yeah, she is struggling in her faith and isn't going to church now, and probably isn't going to serve as a great role model right now if anyone was looking to make her one.

Singin4Him82 · 01-27-2003, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jay42
But yeah, she is struggling in her faith and isn't going to church now, and probably isn't going to serve as a great role model right now if anyone was looking to make her one.

As a singer myself I just can't comprehend NOT giving God the glory and not "wanting" that Christian label. It baffels me how people think "if I do this a certain way" or "if I go here(crossover) then I'll reach more for Christ". No matter what you "label" is Christian, Rock, Country whatever it doesn't make Christ more accessable to others, don't people know Christ is EVERYWHERE and when he wants to work and be known He can and HE WILL. It has nothing to do with the band or artist and their "label" a Christian band stepping into secular territory isn't gonna do much, it's not like they can't flip a few stations and find Christian music there, IMO if you notice most of the bands P.O.D excluded that cross over or don't want to be labeled Christian are vey watered down, they have no substance and not a lot of non-Christian will think of Christ through listening to their music.

As far as Liegh Nash goes what gets me the most is that she claims to be Christian but yet says her lyrics are nothing of the sort. Now tell me that doesn't sound wishy washy, yes she's struggling, we all struggle from time to time but I think if she is struggling with her faith and such then she should pull her cd's from Christian music stores if she doesn't want that "label". I don't really understand why she's involved in Christian music such as the recording of "City on a Hill" if she doesn't want that label, I honestly don't see how that glorifys God.

LOL now that I've vented (it's been a bad day

) that's my 2 cents...although it looks more like 5 bucks if you ask me

.

**Sean** · 02-08-2003, 07:54 AM

I would take that article with a grain of salt. The article could be 100% accurate, but magazines do have a tendecy to twist what artists say. Pulse magazine isn't exactly the most known magazine out there. If she really wanted to make a serious statement about her faith, wouldnt' she choose a better publication? Also how did this conversation come up? Did she bring it up? That would be strange being that she complained about the fact that 80% of their press is about their faith. Also, most artists in major touring bands dont' go to church. They can't when they are on touring. Notice the article doesn't quote her as saying that she doesn't go to church. The article just passes that information off as truth. Many bands take pastors on tour with them. I'm more than a bit sceptical of the validity of this article.

....of course, the article could be correct. I just don't trust it.

demaak · 02-16-2003, 05:01 PM

I find it somewhat disappointing also, but AtlasShrugs has a good point. You can't always believe everything you hear (or read).
Either way, don't forget that people in bands are people all the same, and people aren't perfect. At least none of the ones I've met. I think Leigh needs prayer just as much as anyone else; in fact probably more so because she is a celebrity.
~Krista

Dice · 02-25-2003, 11:20 PM

Yeah, I agree with the thoughts brought forth, but how is "Breathe Your Name" not directed towards God? doesnt make sense otherwise.

Snookynibbles · 07-30-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singin4Him82

I can't believe what I just read about this band I've loved for so long....

check it out for yourself, it's rather disapointing.http://pulse.towerrecords.com/conten...ontentId=5693.

Yes, a totally 'stale' thread...I'm only 5+ yrs late in the discussion (sorry)...

However, the issues remain as the artist marches on, and I'd like to speak to them, fleshing-out perhaps a little more about Leigh...from what I've gleaned across the expanse of the Internet. That is, I've overturned many a 'stone' vis-a'-vis countless reads of many, many Leigh Nash interviews.

I am a great big fan of Leigh Bingham Nash. Nowhere have I found anything that approaches Leigh doubting her faith; More to the contrary I've found her to give testimony the likes of (my rough paraphrase) "...life is not about being happy, but being obedient to God's will...". Circa 2006, Leigh gave testimony that she struggled with a bit of residual anger re the legacy of her record label woes...things that eventually served to kill the band & stiffle her career. However, Leigh expressed a circumspect view about it all, clinging to the truth that God is sovereign in all He brings into our lives. Moreover, she in yet another interview took pleasure in affirming God's will for her life by way of how she really has not made gobs of money during her singing career. Leigh stated that such is a blessing since it keeps her humble in spirit (genuine humility is the supreme Christian virtue).

Throughout Leigh's career & within the blogs of her MySpace & Leigh Nash websites, she exudes a measure of Christian virtue...Leigh makes sure you know that the girl doesn't take herself too seriously...she seems happy & even joyful, though never naive. Leigh also embodies a sweet & gentle spirit (not jaded)...you can't help but love her. I find such to be a refreshing departure from the 'canned' PR releases where fans rarely get a close/transparent glimpse at the 'real' person. Leigh however lets you right into her heart & home (as it were) by way of her self-effacing personal blogs. One cannot help but see a young Christian woman wrestling with life issues...struggling to 'make her calling & election sure' (I trust).

Having said all that, during 2003 Leigh Nash's father started a thread on a politically conservative site in order to elicit some PR support for Leigh. There, Mr. Bingham lent some insight into aspects about his daughter...he is very proud of her. It's my belief that during her early youth, that Leigh had the makings of growing under the tutelage of her church's spiritual leadership. However, Leigh began touring quite young. My fear is that she has not been well-grounded in biblical doctrine & in the Word & in ministry. Far as I can tell Leigh holds to biblical precept, but I'm not sure how deeply rooted she is in it because she's had a rather 'busy' youth...much of it on the road with the band. Her husband Mark Nash & formerly with PFR, seems to be more 'grounded' (in Scripture), but that's my tentative observation. My hope/prayer is that Mark is a spiritual leader in his home...a discipler of Leigh, & that together as parents they both seek to bring up their son (Henry) in the 'nurture and admonition of the Lord.' It would be a bad sign were an otherwise well-received 'Christian' singer/celeb not actively connected to a local church body.

Very recently (c. early Summer '07) Leigh cancelled her intense touring schedule so that she could be at home with her family. That bodes very well, showing that Leigh possesses a measure of wisdom about sorting out biblical priorities in the home (though by word order, she venerates her son ahead of husband). Placing this priority of family ahead of career is the sort of thing that vaults a Christian Indie artist ahead of various other contemporaries who sadly have compromised their public testimony big-time!

I agree that 'gifts' are all from God & that it stands reason we ought to seize opportunities for public witness & testimony...let the wellsprings from within shower forth. Note how the entire SPNTR band made a decision to be identified as "Christians in a band", not a "Christian band"...IMO, no biblical injunctions againt this. Notwithstanding & without casting judgment by way of opinion, it would have bode well had SPNTR offered a more direct testimony of word interspersed during their journeys far & wide across the landscape. However & IMO, it would be specious to suggest that only music incorporating lyrics suited for congregational public worship validate the maturity of the singer/songwriter. In the wake, SPNTR left a legacy of really, deep, superb pop music...written by Christians. So if pop is to M&Ms, then SPNTR pop is Godiva chocolate!

I could be a bit biased as I tend to depreciate what's critical about Leigh. However, being such an ardent fan of her music & persona, admittedly, I do wish/pray for public evidence of spiritual growth in her life. Providing public testimony of one's salvation, and of the primacy of a close walk with Jesus with the outworkings of spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:22-23) is powerful when mated with humility of spirit. Leigh 'seems' to evidence the latter...just wish for public displays of the former...I too hope her faith is genuine.

*** REVISED 10-10-07 ***

Sorry to post this, but during early Sept. of 2007, Leigh Nash announced her failed marriage on a blog within her MYSPACE. She apoligized profusely for disappointing her fans, yet did not indicate specific reasons for their pending divorce other than what seemed to me to be chronic emotional detachment, probably due to their lifestyle. I sent an e-mail to Dale Baker, Sixpence's ex drummer with an appeal to pray for & to reach out to the Nashes...encouraging them towards reconciliation. Anyway, I am most disappointed, as I'm sure many of her (Christian) fans are.

peachywithholes · 06-28-2010, 07:58 PM

Sorry to be coming into this late (wayyy late), but I've seen this discussion in my search engine results for a while and it annoys me to this day...

You say she isn't a good role model. Yet who are you to judge this? I've loved Leigh and her music for years, I think she's wonderful. So, if someone were a devout "Christian", yet strung out on drugs and claiming that they've prayed for "forgiveness", still believing in God, would that make them a better role model? How about looking at one's personality before their religious beliefs.

Maybe she doesn't go to church. Neither do I. But that doesn't leave me any less connected to my "God" than anyone else. So before you judge someone or their motives, try to step into their shoes and walk around for awhile. Just try it.

Divorce does not make someone any less of a "Christian". Would you rather they live in a dry, lifeless, unhappy marriage? Don't condemn yet call yourself a "Christian".

relient nelson · 06-28-2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peachywithholes

Sorry to be coming into this late (wayyy late), but I've seen this discussion in my search engine results for a while and it annoys me to this day...

You say she isn't a good role model. Yet who are you to judge this? I've loved Leigh and her music for years, I think she's wonderful. So, if someone were a devout "Christian", yet strung out on drugs and claiming that they've prayed for "forgiveness", still believing in God, would that make them a better role model? How about looking at one's personality before their religious beliefs.

Maybe she doesn't go to church. Neither do I. But that doesn't leave me any less connected to my "God" than anyone else. So before you judge someone or their motives, try to step into their shoes and walk around for awhile. Just try it.

Divorce does not make someone any less of a "Christian". Would you rather them live in a dry, lifeless, unhappy marriage? Don't condemn yet call yourself a "Christian".

Sir, might I ask who you are addressing? No one has posted in this thread in over three years.