Rock and roll has always treaded dangerous grounds.  From Elvis shaking his hips to Ozzy eating live animals, rock music is evil.  It is the devil�s music, at least when it is done right.  Music is about rebellion, from hymnals the slaves sang to short bursts of punk fury.  But spirituality and faith have always been a big part of the equation as well.
 
One term that is used frequently to describe rock music is �nihilistic�, specifically in the �no future� aesthetic of punk and metal.  Nihilism is a philosophic and ethical idea made famous by Nietzsche.  A quick glance at the definition of Nihilism, courtesy of Wikipedia, explains the term as �a philosophical position that the world, and especially human existence, is without meaning, purpose, comprehensible truth or essential value.�  In ethical terms it means, �a complete rejection of all systems of authority, morality and social custom.  The opposite of this must be faith.  While not as easy to define, faith is generally considered to be a belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.  
 
Nihilism may be the central idea to why rock and roll has been popular for so long and is what makes hip-hop, at least when it is done right, very popular.  To defy the system and live without authority is such a charming idea.  Specifically for lost teenagers who need something to fight for.  Rock and roll has always been able to give at least the illusion of rebellion.  Even fake rebellion can be empowering.  The devil is probably the ultimate rebel.  
 
But rock and roll has a firm background in spiritual music.  The blues and gospel are rooted in faith and spirituality.  Throughout the years of rock and roll there have been countless bands and songwriters searching for God in music.  For as much is rock and roll the devil�s music; God has had his moments as well.
 
Nowadays there is a difficult line to tread for musicians who are searching for their own paths.  The most recent example is of Head leaving Korn in order to devote his life to Christianity.  While this is not the best career move for him, at least he is doing it for himself.  That is the problem in the dark, super-cool world of rock and roll.  Some people may applaud his decision, others will ridicule him.  In the end it doesn�t matter what he does because it is his life to live.
 
Johnny Cash lived a life of contradictions.  He sang, �I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die,� but he also sang, �My God is real, for I can feel him in my heart.�  Cash�s spirituality was never an issue; it was a part of him that fueled his life.
 
Music has been filled with the same contradictions, all music has.  Inspiration comes through searching and whether someone believes Nietzsche was right when he said, �God is dead� or they believe that �my God is real,� they should be free to do so.  That is what is astonishing about all the breeds of music that we have in this world.  I could not imagine life without music.
 
Faith and rebellion are considered to be two distinctly opposite ideas and music may be the only place where they can coexist.  It is the one place we can all coexist because of the search for our own hearts and minds.  
 
Maybe I am looking too deep.  There is the distinct possibility that music is just a catchy beat to give people a reason to shake their butts or bang their heads.