The Philosophy and Art of Marilyn Manson ---------------------------------------- John Lennon said The Beatles were bigger than God. With a characteristically sardonic grin, Marilyn Manson says he's bigger than Satan. Since his rapid rise to fame in the early 90s, many people have condemned Marilyn Manson. Organizations such as the Christian Family Network actively campaign against Marilyn Manson, claiming that he is an "instrument of Satan," and that "the Father of Lies is working through Marilyn Manson to reach out to our young people." Two years ago, legislators bashed Manson at a Sentate Subcommittee Hearing. Opponents of Manson have even created a "Death to Marilyn Manson" web ring on the Internet. Tragically, most people (many fans included) don't understand Marilyn Manson's message. "A long time ago," explains Manson, "there was a man as misunderstood as we are, and they nailed him to a fucking cross." A careful analysis of Marilyn Manson's album "Antichrist Superstar" reveals that he is not a spokesman for Satan, but a talented poet, artist, philosopher who advocates love, freedom, and individualism. Like other philosophers, Manson criticizes our society by pointing out the depravity and hypocrisy in government, media, and religion. "A piece of paper or a piece of cloth doesn't mean anything," says Manson. "It's what you believe. And I want people to think about what they believe. I want them to consider everything they've been taught, and if that's what they want to believe, or if that's what they've been told that they have to believe." The first track on "Antichrist Superstar" suggests that the mass media and Christian fascism of our culture have far too much influence on individual identities. The common American is an "animal who will not be himself." Since we are a product of the system, we don't even notice the wide-spread corruption; "America cannot see anything." Manson also displays the hypocritical American morality with lines such as "I hate the hater." He continues his social commentary in "The Beautiful People," a song which explores our culture's erroneous ideas of beauty and freedom. Manson also criticizes the ineffectual Christian approach to solving the problems of society: "Capitalism has made it this way; old-fashioned fascism will take it away." Nietzsche's worm metaphor from "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," a key motif which represents the evolution from weakling to Overman, first appears in "The Beautiful People." Manson reflects Nietzsche's philosophy not only in his lyrics, but also in the cyclic structure of the album, which symbolizes Nietzsche's belief in Eternal Recurrence. "Tourniquet" espouses more Nietzshean philosophy with is worm imagery and message about love. Manson believes that the Christian concept of "love everybody" destroys the value of true love. In "Tourniquet," he also reveals how his childhood attempts at love ended only in pain; they "never believed in me," he sings. The next few songs on the album present his internal struggle as he evolves from worm to Overman. He portrays our world as a warped and filthy place in which it is nearly impossible to truly love or be loved. He urges listeners to "save yourself from this" as he takes on the role of Nietzsche's Overman, symbolized by the angel that has "spread his wings." Manson's internal conflict grows between his desire to practice his own ideals and his desire to exploit the attention that he never received as a child. In "Mister Superstar," Manson realizes that he "never wanted any of this," referring to his fame. He ridicules his ignorant fans with lyrics such as "Hey mister superstar, I'll do anything for you . . . Hey mister fallen star, don't you know I worship you?" The lyrics represent the mentality of many of his fans. Manson does not appreciate such fans because he wants people to "find out what's really out there. I never said to be like me, I say be like you and make a difference." Some people misinterpret the "fallen star" line as evidence of Manson's Satanism. Although he is an Honarary Reverend of Anton Lavey's Church of Satan, Marilyn Manson says, "I've never been or never will be a Satan worshipper." The final songs of "Antichrist Superstar" contain profound philosophic messages and autobiographical significance. Manson refers to the abuse in his childhood, begs for "something beautiful, something free," and realizes that, as a rock star, he has been corrupted by what he fears: evil, immorality, and lack of love. This, too, corresponds to Nietzsche's philosophy because it is the Overman's goal to not only change society, but to also eradicate what is dirty and impure within himself. While admitting his own faults, Manson exposes the fraud and immorality of Christianity and American culture. As the Antichrist Superstar, he exercises Nietzsche's Will to Power to create his own morality and point out the evils of the prevalent system of values. He contends that Christianity suppresses everything that is pleasurable, and that "heaven and hell are lies" to perpetuate the fascism. Marilyn Manson concludes Antichrist Superstar by challenging listeners to see faults in themselves, their society, and their religion--and to be their own gods by believing in themselves. "I went to God just to see," he sings in "The Reflecting God," "and I was looking at me." His latest album, "Mechanical Animals," shocked fans and foes alike as it skyrocketed to the top of the charts--because Marilyn Manson has evolved. His style changed from "goth" to "glam." He stepped off the "path of nihilism--either destroying myself or convincing other people to destroy me. I think my lifestyle over the past couple of years has been a long form of suicide." But now he has something to live for. He has fallen in love with actress Rose McGowan (of "The Doom Generation") and "repaired" emotions that lay dormant on "Antichrist Superstar." "It's almost like if I were a machine or an alien and you granted me some human emotions," he says, "they're not working right because I just got them for the first time, and I'm not learning how to use them properly." "As I repaired my emotions . . . I began to see the dystopia before me . . . I've learned to have a sense of empathy. I really feel people's pain now, almost on a weird supernatural level where it really affects me if someone is upset about something." "Mechanical Animals" presents Marilyn Manson's new feelings and ideas with a unique, radio-friendly sound as he continues to attack the evils of our society: "Our God is white and unforgiving and we're piss tested and we're praying . . . We're talkshown and we're pointing just like Christians at a suicide." Marilyn Manson offers a gift in his art. It is a gift of truth, beauty, freedom, and love--a gift of salvation--but only a few people discover the gift, as it is hidden behind the showmanship. Every great artist conceals his or her message so that only a select few will initially understand it. Marilyn Manson is no exception. "I just try to make people think. I don't try to shock them or scare them. I just try and get them to question," he says. And as a Social Darwinist and master manipulator of capitalism, Marilyn Manson doesn't feel a bit guilty about making a fortune from the millions of people who don't understand his message.