Can Guy Sebastian have it both ways?

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Filed under: Arias, Australian Idol, Christians, Guy Sebastian, Music, Summer

66 comments

So bumpy grindy dry-rooting on a dance floor is now acceptable fodder for openly Christian artists’ video clips. Fine. Not for me to moralise. That was done here in this piece and most of you said “Pffft. Who cares?”

With friends like this, who needs Jesus? Photo: Brad Hunter.

What I’m wondering is where the outcry is from the huge flock of Guy Sebastian fans who wear their Christianity on their sleeves.

Look at the photo above. It’s G-Seb schmoozing in Sydney the other week with American rapper/singer Eve, a woman not known for her modesty, who has previously collaborated with the likes of Gwen Stefani.

Apparently, the former ’Fro believes he can pull off the impossible. Something pretty much no artist in the history of pop culture has achieved. The theory in camp Sebastian is that he can stay true to his roots in Adelaide’s Paradise Church, while winning over a wave of cooler fans with the same kind of derivative, sexually-laden imagery just about every artist uses these days.

Like I say, good on him if he achieves this. This is not an anti-Guy piece. The dude has a terrific voice and as anyone who regularly reads Damien Leith’s terrific life reflections on this site would know, The Punch has no bias against Australian Idol winners.

It’s also worth pointing out that Sebastian seems to be a really decent person. He has been admirably supportive of gay people – to the point where there has been a backlash against him on some Christian websites. The question is: why aren’t these same people attacking him for using sex to sell? It’s not a crime. But it’s not exactly the Christian way either.

There’s an argument that Sebastian is now deliberately downplaying his Christianity. The word “Christian” does not appear once in his 5000 word Wikipedia entry, the glowing tone of which strongly suggests it was written from within Camp Sebastian.

In an interview with Geraldine Doogue’s Compass show on the ABC in 2004, Sebastian talked about the reasons he was attracted to Paradise Church.

“When I hit my teenage years I started, um, going to youth group called Solid Rock at Paradise Church and it um, it really appealed to me because it was a very, it was sort of modern way of going to church.”

Maybe Guy’s new range of sleazy music videos are just a “modern way” of making Christian music. Or far more likely, he’s deliberately distancing himself from his Christian roots, without overtly saying as much, in an attempt to conquer the widest possible audience.

As mentioned, that’s no crime. But it is one almighty act of hypocrisy, on both Guy’s part, and on the part of his huge Christian fanbase, who have shrugged their collective shoulders and said “whatever”.

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66 comments

Show oldest | newest first

- Lauren Bell says:
  
  06:30am | 21/12/10
  
  Respectfully Anthony, you need to get out more if you think that Guy Sebastian’s music videos are sleazy. They are pretty tame by present day music video standards. His song lyrics are upbeat, light and happy compared to most of the radio music out there which is laced with explicit and crude lyrics designed to shock the tweenies into buying it!
  
  So what if Guy is a Christian and I am not a Christian – it doesn’t bother me – so why shouldn’t he be able to have it both ways like me! His beliefs are his own and he doesn’t preach in public and keeps that side of him for his private life – I admire that. If being a Christian is his rock and it keeps him centred and producing such brilliant music then I am all for it. I am hanging out for a Gospel album one day as I think he would just nail it.
  
  So Anthony – it is only the hard core Christian sector that criticise Guy for not preaching his faith in his public life so he really cant win because he also get’s criticised by non-Christians just because he is open and honest and says if asked , that he is a Christian. I couldn’t care less if he a Christian, Non-Christian or a martian – he is a fine musician and vocalist and I just love him and his music!
  
  Regards
  Lorrie
  
  Reply
Jess says:

05:39am | 25/01/11

You are not a Christian by what you say, but rather by the way you act. Faith without actions is dead. You are not a believer so you say this. But I will tell you with all love and respect this man does not behave as a Christian and the bible gives every right to hold Christians accountable for their actions. Not walking in a manner worthy of the Lord is blasphemous. I can’t judge those who aren’t Christians they may do as they please, but don’t walk around with the name of my God behave opposite to His word.
I hope He doesn’t produce a gospel album unless He decides to be a Christian, there would be no power in an album of just words and no Spirit of the Living God.
- Mark S says:
  
  06:44am | 21/12/10
  
  So he goes to church, he isn’t a priest, get over it.
  
  Reply
- TChong says:
  
  06:57am | 21/12/10
  
  Thats Guy? He looks to be channelling Leo Di Crapino via Jack Dawson.
  
  Reply
- Tedd says:
  
  07:26am | 21/12/10
  
  Christians wouldn’t function very well, as a collective, in today’s world if they stayed bound to Christian fundamentals.
  
  Many move on particularly from their childhood rooted in it. Many clergy find they want to move on too, but often when it is too late for them.
  
  Reply
- iansand says:
  
  07:46am | 21/12/10
  
  11 Thou shalt not rub thy groin against women in a suggestive manner.
  
  Not in my version of Exodus.
  
  Reply
- Craig says:
  
  07:59am | 21/12/10
  
  American R&B singers have forever and a day done exactly what you are saying is brave and original on Sebastian’s part. It’s all part of the deep emotion with which they sing, the conflict of the spirit and the flesh. Even Chris Brown professes his fath in God. The man Sebastian rips off prodigously in the single with Eve, Usher does the same. Little Richard was a preacher for god sake. There is nothing new or exciting in the Christian Lothario act. Hate to say it but Cliff Richard is much more original
  
  Reply
Horthy says:

09:31am | 21/12/10

“is brave and original”

ROFL.
- SM says:
  
  08:04am | 21/12/10
  
  “The theory in camp Sebastian is that he can stay true to his roots in Adelaide’s Paradise Church, while winning over a wave of cooler fans”
  
  none of Guy’s fans are or ever will be “cool”. But when you market yourself in the way he has, you have to accept that
  
  Reply
Lauren says:

09:32am | 21/12/10

“none of Guy’s fans are or ever will be “cool”

what because you think you are way cooler than me and millions of others who buy his music - a very uncool thing to say!

Also tell that to John Mayer, or Steve Cropper and the MGs and a whole bunch of other well respected musicians from overseas who think that he is one talented cool dude in their eyes. It is only Aussies who put him down as uncool - the first time overseas people see and hear him sing they are sold on him as the real deal because they have no preconceived ideas about his pure talent!
Steely Dan says:

10:38am | 21/12/10

@ Lauren

Well, if Steve Cropper and the MGs think Guy’s ‘one talented cool dude’, that pretty much settles it.

I’ve heard 10CC think Paulini is ‘rad to the max’.
Mike says:

01:15pm | 21/12/10

Hey Steely. Don’t be hating on “The Colonel”. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and a very cool dude himself.
Bex says:

02:17pm | 21/12/10

Oh Steely Dan, I laughed so loud at my desk at that. So very true.
Steely Dan says:

02:50pm | 21/12/10

@ Mike

Fair cop (and I don’t mind 10CC myself either). It was more the tone of the statement really - made me think of Milhouse van Houten telling people that ‘My mom thinks I’m cool!’
- john says:
  
  08:05am | 21/12/10
  
  Can Guy Sebastian have it both ways?
  
  At first I thought the title was suggestive to “does he do it both ways”.
  
  All I can say is, I hope not. I doubt he will get any hits on GRINDER.
  .
  
  Reply
- BK says:
  
  08:07am | 21/12/10
  
  The difference between Guy’s videos an those of others is that all of the actors wear fake wedding rings.
  
  Reply
- Macca says:
  
  08:21am | 21/12/10
  
  Nothing about the Whinging Poms, Ant? More cricket articles please
  
  Reply
- Dave-o says:
  
  08:34am | 21/12/10
  
  Aiming for the lowest common denominator. Cause you know, its okay to be a moderately successful Christian singer but you haven’t made it until you’re sharing a Betty Ford room with LiLo shaking like a pain agitator.
  
  It’s not selling out, its investing in alternate markets.
  
  Reply
- Zac says:
  
  08:50am | 21/12/10
  
  I can’t really fathom how Guy Sebastian reconciles following Christ and treating women as sex objects - atleast in his videos. Unfortunately I think the root cause is $$$ and influence. But the dilemma is can he build a career in the sexualised music world with just music or in short can he build a career with pure music or just pure talent alone? I think he can, it will take a lot more effort than parading scantily clad women. However the challenge for him is if secular values (google Frankfurt school of thought - which is Atheist-Marxist/Communist values) or Christ-ian values should influence his line of work. My children buy his music and are happy to be his fans, I don’t have a problem with that. I think he is probably the only artist quite harmless to my children. So I appreciate his muslc and talents. However the author of this blog does confront some important issues - hypocrisy - that was/is close to the heart of Jesus.
  
  Being a genuine follower of Christ he would understand Christ was very, very aggressive towards hypocrisy and he showed absolutely no mercy when the hypocrisy was from the Church and priests. Here are some examples how he confronted hypocrisy.
  
  23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
  
  25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
  
  27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
  
  Matthew 23: 23-27
  
  Reply
Steely Dan says:

10:56am | 21/12/10

@ Zac

“However the challenge for him is if secular values (google Frankfurt school of thought - which is Atheist-Marxist/Communist values) or Christ-ian values should influence his line of work.”
Yes, because you’re either a Paradise Church Christian or a devotee of the often-referenced and not-obscure-at-all Frankfurt school. There’s really no third option!
Zac says:

11:38am | 21/12/10

Steely Dan,

“Yes, because you’re either a Paradise Church Christian

From what I gather Guy seems to be a genuine Christian. So I don’t think he would be playing Churchism. So it would be - he is a follower of Christ who attends Paradise Church.

or a devotee of the often-referenced and not-obscure-at-all Frankfurt school. There’s really no third option!”

Taking into account that values don’t come from thin air one has to be sure what that third option is and how that option can be a stand alone in an industry where the values of Frankfurt school dominates.
Steely Dan says:

12:15pm | 21/12/10

@ Zac

“Taking into account that values don’t come from thin air one has to be sure what that third option is”
Thanks for the clarification. Still don’t know why you think the only two options are Christianity and the Frankfurt school. Care to explain your reasoning.

“and how that option can be a stand alone in an industry where the values of Frankfurt school dominates.”
Nobody else in the world looks at the music industry and sees the fingerprints of the ‘Frankfurt School’ over it. This reeks of ‘all secular people are Marxists’ to me…
Zac says:

02:08pm | 21/12/10

Steely Dan,

“Thanks for the clarification. Still don’t know why you think the only two options are Christianity and the Frankfurt school. Care to explain your reasoning.”

I am not the one who came up with the third option - There’s really no third option! (from your last post). So would you care to explain what you had in mind when you raised the “third option” in the first place? Your way of discussion is to come up with your own counter points and then ask others to do the home work for you. It doesn’t work that way Steely. This is my experience with debates/discussions I have had with you in the past.

“Nobody else in the world looks at the music industry and sees the fingerprints of the ‘Frankfurt School’ over it. This reeks of ‘all secular people are Marxists’ to me…”

Who is that “nobody else” in the music industry? I have never claimed all secular people are Marxists (Certainly many environmentalists, greenies, many in the uni’s, media and music do subscribe Marxism/Communism but hide under different labels). All I am saying is the prevalant school of thought in the music industry and Hollywood is Frankfurtian. Have a look at my quotes below for more.

Theodor W. Adorno (September 11, 1903 – August 6, 1969) was a German-born international sociologist, philosopher, and musicologist. He was a member of the Frankfurt School of social theory along with Max Horkheimer, Walter Benjamin, Herbert Marcuse, Jürgen Habermas, and others. He was also the Music Director of the Radio Project from 1937 to 1941, in the U.S. (Wiki)

Music, Television and Popular Culture

Adorno was to become head of a ‘music studies’ unit, where in his Theory of Modern Music he promoted the prospect of unleashing atonal and other popular music as a weapon to destroy society, degenerate forms of music to promote mental illness. He said the US could be brought to its knees by the use of radio and television to promote a culture of pessimism and despair - by the late 1930s he (together with Horkheimer) had migrated to Hollywood.

The expansion of violent video-games also well supported the School’s aims.

Ref: The Frankfurt School: Conspiracy to corrupt
By Timothy Matthews
Steely Dan says:

03:02pm | 21/12/10

@ Zac

“I am not the one who came up with the third option - There’s really no third option! (from your last post). So would you care to explain what you had in mind when you raised the “third option” in the first place?”
The ‘third’ option was a joke. There’s actually more than three sources of values (gasp!).

“Your way of discussion is to come up with your own counter points and then ask others to do the home work for you. It doesn’t work that way Steely.”
It’s a sarcasm thing. Sorry for confusing you.

“Certainly many environmentalists, greenies, many in the uni’s, media and music do subscribe Marxism/Communism but hide under different labels”
That doesn’t sound like conspiracy theory talk at all (sarcasm).

“All I am saying is the prevalant school of thought in the music industry and Hollywood is Frankfurtian. Have a look at my quotes below for more.”
Whoa. You think the mass media is out to cause despair/ convert people to Marxism? Well, I guess it is true that most music videos I see on Video Hits promote anti-consumerist and communistic themes (sarcasm). It seems that this secret underworld of Marxist media overlords was extraordinarily successful in destroying the US and its cultural hegemony (sarcasm).
- Jackie says:
  
  08:59am | 21/12/10
  
  His latest song with Eve is hardly racey, he is dressed in a 3 peice suit for the entire video, looking quite laid back. Whats the big deal, his faith is his choice. I dont hear anyone having a go at Richard Gere for playing a sexy doctor/architect/lawyer/etc when he is publicly a very strict Buddist, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him eat steak in a film when he is probably a vegetarian. So why should Guy have to sing songs about praising the Lord just because he has declared his Christianity?
  
  Reply
bj says:

11:46pm | 28/12/10

Love your reply Jackie, so true!
- Pete says:
  
  08:59am | 21/12/10
  
  In agreeance with the great majority of above comments but I will point out that if you, Anthony, think what Guy is doing is sinful well, I’m sorry, but Christians sin. It’s just that we’ve also acknowledge that we have forgiveness.
  I’m not going to judge Sebastian because I live in a glass house.
  
  Reply
Zac says:

09:39am | 21/12/10

I’m not going to judge Sebastian because I live in a glass house.

Yes none of us are perfect. We have our own faults. You may think this is far fetched and it is, just because you live in a glass house would it stop you from judging Shane Warne or Kelly Lane? In both the cases people form their own judgement. The aim is not just condemning someone rather it is the repurcussion of person’s action.
- Gav says:
  
  09:08am | 21/12/10
  
  i think you got it right in your opening paragraph….
  
  “Pffft. Who cares?”
  
  Reply
- Huey says:
  
  09:37am | 21/12/10
  
  Guy who? Christian What? Bible quotes!!!! Gav’s right.
  
  Reply
- clarelhdm says:
  
  10:29am | 21/12/10
  
  I thought I was the only one that noticed. Yes, he is playing it both ways like many American stars do, but he was quite evangelical about his faith in the early days. Unfortunately even Christianity uses cool to sell itself, Christian Rock, Rock Masses etc etc….
  I do think there is a deep conflict depicting woman as sex objects and professing Christianity….and though he is doing a very soft version of it, it is the same tune….just like Jessica Mauboy has now supposedly ‘made it’ because she can pout and teeter on 6 inch stilettos.
  There are lots of people doing other sorts of music out there, Blues and Jazz artists too who don’t go for the sexy grind image. Yep it is a smaller market, and Sebastian hasn’t chosen to chase it.
  
  Reply
- Xannah says:
  
  10:44am | 21/12/10
  
  Firstly, what “huge flock of Guy Sebastian fans who wear their Christianity on their sleeves”? As a long practising non-religious Guy fan who’s been to more Guy shows than I can remember and has Guy fan friends all over the world, I can tell you that Guy fans come from all walks of life. I’m sure many of them are Christian but, like Guy, they mostly keep it to themselves. I should also mention, Anthony, that that photo is photoshopped and never happened. Not that it matters if it did. It’s a performance, people. Guy wears his Christianity quietly, has friends from all walks of life, and is thankfully a lot less judgmental than some of you.
  
  Reply
- stephen says:
  
  10:56am | 21/12/10
  
  She’s been cuddling koalas.
  And I think there’s another reason why she’s been to the zoo…
  
  Reply
- Natbelle (Guy's main Wikipedia editor) says:
  
  11:07am | 21/12/10
  
  Get off your high horse Anthony.
  
  A. The majority of Guy Sebastian’s fans are not Christian and therefore do not wear their Christianity on their sleeves. They come from all walks of life: younger, older, male, female, straight, gay, respected American and Aussie musicians, people who can’t sing one note in key(me), Christian, athiests(me), Muslim, etc. And you can now count the most influential female talk show host in the world Oprah Winfrey to the list according to latest press articles.
  
  B. Guy has never preached about religion. His faith is mainly a private thing. He has participated in things for his church and of course for the Catholic church for World Youth Day in 2008. But he rarely talks about his religious beliefs in public unless the media ask him a direct question. And I can’t think of one of those questions being asked in the last couple of years or so. He practices his beliefs without shoving it in people’s face, and does a huge amount for charity, much of which never finds its way into the media. He does this because be believes he should give back to the community for giving him this huge chance in life. You must be getting him mixed up with the last Idol winner Stan Walker who never stops preaching about and praising God.
  
  C. Guy’s videos and music are not sleazy, and just like all his other songs and videos his latest has no sugestive lyrics or half naked women. If you think he produces sleazy stuff I wonder what you think of some of the disgusting music and videos around at the moment. I mean to say Enrique Iglesias - Tonight (I’m F#####’ You)”
  
  About the only truth in this piece is that Guy has a terrific voice.
  
  Reply
- HB says:
  
  12:15pm | 21/12/10
  
  I think you may be confusing his belief with his occupation. The music he is writing is not Christian music nor is it overly sexual, degrading to women or men. I’m sure that the author is not intentionally pointing our the splinter is Guy’s eye while ignoring the telephone pole in his own.
  
  Reply
- St. Michael says:
  
  12:35pm | 21/12/10
  
  Frankly I’d be more concerned about Guy knowingly allowing the Antichrist that is Oprah to declare herself as one of his fans than I am about his videos.
  
  Reply
- Sadie says:
  
  01:14pm | 21/12/10
  
  Let’s see here,Guy is a man. I wasn’t aware men lost their sexuality if they follow the Christian faith. As many have said here, Guy never openly pushes his religion, and yes,even though he has had a few sexy videos, they are tame compared to the ones put out by some other “Christian” American artists. Why have you chosen him to have a go at,when someone like the religious Prince,has based his career on sexual songs,movements etc. Not to mention the religious actors who do explicit scenes in movies with women,even women other than their wives,girlfriends etc.
  I can tell you right now that some of his professed Christian women fans lust after him,whether they are married or not, and I’m sure Guy,being a normal man, would lust after people other than his wife. He just doesn’t act on it.
  If in your eyes,being a devout Christian means never acting in a sexual way, then there are an awful lot of Christians who have sinned,Catholic priests, and American evangelists to name but a few sections of the Christian community. I don’t care what Guy does,just as long as he keeps making and singing that great music !
  
  Reply
- GDS says:
  
  01:20pm | 21/12/10
  
  umm those of you who think Guy has any say whatsoever in the content of his music videos don’t really know how the pop music industry works.
  
  Reply
- Natbelle says:
  
  01:32pm | 21/12/10
  
  AntiChrist? What are you smoking St. Michael? Anyway Guy had no control on Oprah declaring herself a fan. She just got hooked into his amazing voice all by herself, like most of his fans.
  
  Reply
- Jade says:
  
  01:59pm | 21/12/10
  
  I do seem to recall early in his career him making several statements to the effect that he intended to stay a virgin until marriage because of his faith, and quite prominently making his faith a big issue.
  
  Guy Sebastian is merely displaying the same hypocrisy of Britney Spears and her ilk, prancing around in schoolgirl costumes in racy videos while declaring to the world what a big Christian she is.
  
  The problem is that such imagery suggests to young girls that its okay for them to behave in sexually inappropriate ways because someone who is “moral” is behaving in this way. I would much rather my children see an artist like Eve (a former stripper), Jay Z (gangster/drug dealer/pimp) and the like behaving in this way, since their behaviour is in keeping with the image that they carefully cultivated and is certainly much more easily explained as inappropriate or “bad”. But when you have someone presenting themselves as being moral or guided by higher principles putting similar images out there, children are more likely to normalise this behaviour.
  
  Reply
Sadie says:

03:37pm | 21/12/10

Have you actually seen the video. It is actually quite boring.Guy sits on a couch for most of it,dressed in a suit. He hardly moves at all.There are no suggestive moves in it from him,or anyone else in the video,including Eve.Maybe you shouldn’t comment about something until you know the facts. I was personally wishing he’d get up off the couch and dance !
Jade says:

04:04pm | 21/12/10

I have seen the video, as well as the video for “Like it Like That”. I found that video in extremely poor taste and one of the most blatant examples of objectifying women I’ve come across in music clips. The lovely woman dancing suggestively in front of the stage etc etc.

For me, clips such as Rihanna’s “Rude Boy” are less objectifying, since they are open about their sexuality. Never once has Rihanna openly talked about being a virgin until marriage, or her sexual values.

The issue I have is that Guy Sebastian says his values are X, but his videos and song lyrics suggest the opposite. Which is hypocritical. And far more confusing for children than the open (and crass) sexuality of other artists.

You bring up that Guy in this video is wearing a 3 piece suit. I can name dozens of artists who frequently are dressed in three piece suits and yet those videos where they are so attired are among some of the raciest and most controversial. For a few recent examples, have a look at “California Girls” with Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg, Swedish House Mafia’s “Miami 2 Ibiza” featuring Tinie Tempah, David Guetta and Akon’s “Sexy Bitch”.

The difference between these artists and Guy Sebastian singing the songs that he is singing and having the dancing he does in his clips is that none of the above artists has really been open about their beliefs regarding sexual morality, or if they have, it’s been to suggest that sex is good, great or fantastic, and something to be shared around - a value that is then reflected in their clips. Rather than something to be shared with one person, or something that has a morality attached.
Babe says:

05:03pm | 21/12/10

I have never heard Guy Sebastian prominantly make his faith a big issue in his public life. I have never heard Guy Sebastian say ‘do what I do’ because I am a moral person. He lives his private life a certain way and it works for him - but it is not something he expects or pushes other people to do - he does not judge another people in their life choices as you judge him and call him a hyprocrite for making a pop music video that is tame as but sexy at the same time. Less is more sometimes Yes!
jade says:

07:13pm | 21/12/10

The moralising inherent in his continual reference in the public domain to his virginity, his continual praise of his church and his continual desire to put his faith front and centre by associating himself prominently with a church that believes many things which are antithetical to the themes in his music videos all are examples of putting his faith in the public domain.

Just as people called Britney Spears hypocritical for making a public spectacle of her virginal status while singing lyrics such as “I’m a slave for you”, so too should Guy Sebastian be criticised.
Angry Natbelle says:

04:52pm | 22/12/10

Err Jade, you are talking codswallop.

A. The video is not racy, and to say it is worse than some of the disgusting videos out there, and more objectifying of women, well all I can say is you belong in a straight jacket.

B. When has Guy contiuously made mention of his virginity??????? That all started years ago when he was asked straight out, and said yes he was saving himself for marriage. The media kept it going for the next four years, throwing it into every story they could, whether it was about his music, his life, his soon to be wife or any other story they could squeeze a virgin reference into. He has never made an issue of it himself at all since he first answered the question, “Are you a virgin?”, and as he has been married for more than 2 and a half years now, I would say if he did speak continuously about it now he would be as odd as you are.

C. Please bring to the table the constant references Guy makes to his religious beliefs. He doesn’t. He goes about his private life in a private manner including his religion. He follows his faith in a quiet non preaching way, and just tries to be as good a human being as he can.

I find people who are as prudish and as hard core sanctimonious as you are sometimes have the coldest unfeeling uncharitable hearts. Something NO ONE could say about Guy.
- notSue says:
  
  01:59pm | 21/12/10
  
  Having followed (to some extent) Guy’s career since Idol, I’d suggest his raunchier, less overtly Christian approach is the result of two factors.
  
  1) He’s older and married! No longer The “Virgin” Fro, I’d guess he understands a tad more about life and sexuality. It’s a part of his life now.
  
  2)Possibly the most important factor, is as Ant says, the music biz is currently highly sexualised in general, and if you want to appeal to a young demographic, that’s how the game is played, y’all.
  
  Personally, I don’t like the hyper-sexualised current trend, but you can’t blame Guy for cashing in. It’s his conscience, after all, not ours.
  
  Reply
Sadie says:

03:48pm | 21/12/10

Why should Guy have a conscience about this clip or anything for that matter. The clip is about as non raunchy as you could get. Guy is one of the hardest workers in the Aussie music scene,and I can never understand why journos like the one who wrote this article find pleasure in trying to bring him down every chance they get.
notSue says:

03:58pm | 21/12/10

I’m not saying Guy SHOULD “have a conscience” about his latest work. I’m saying it’s all a matter for him to decide, it’s no-one else’s business. His stuff is pretty mild, in comparison to others, I agree. I dislike the extent to which sex is used to sell these days, that’s all.
- Natbelle says:
  
  02:27pm | 21/12/10
  
  Just read the story Anthony linked into this article, “Who needs porn when you’ve got MTV”. Anthony is a prime example of journalists who don’t do their research. He only had to go and look at the video for “Who’s That Girl” to realise there is no porn, or in his words “bumpy grindy dry-rooting” in this video. It is simply Guy musing about the girl he saw in a club. Images are superimposed of the girl walking along and him following her with a quizzical look on his face. The song itself is very simple, with a catchy beat and with no lurid or suggestive meaning. Eve appears to sing her rap, again with no suggestive lyrics and certainly no dry-rooting takes place between the two of them.
  
  Why don’t you write articles about the injustices of the world Anthony instead of making ridiculous assumptions about a talented guy who brings joy into some people’s lives, including the many sick children he visits in hospitals several times a year.
  
  Reply
- Sludger says:
  
  02:42pm | 21/12/10
  
  Leave the ‘Fro alone. He is a man, a musician - not a priest or a saint. His videos are definitely pretty tame (he is wearing a suit you clown). And what is this about his fans being christians? I like his music and he seems like a pretty nice bloke. But that does not mean I have to go to church. He does not sing Christian songs, or gospel rock. He sings what he feels like in his own unique way. Why is it always OK to have a jibe at someone because they are a Christian? Does that make them easy targets? Oh yeah, I remember from when I had to go to church “turn the other cheek”. Is that the reason? Mate, this bloke is happily married, a hard worker, does a lot to help others, is never in scandal. So why have a go at him? Plenty of other mongrels around to get into. Cheap nasty journalism.
  
  Reply
- Ema says:
  
  03:04pm | 21/12/10
  
  To be perfectly honest, I don’t care about your religious or sexual practices, what the colour of your skin is (or what you wear), or how much money you do or don’t have in the bank. To me, all that matters is if you are an artist makes quality music to listen to. If you love a tune, and it keeps you singing on the inside (or outside) then THAT is what music is really all about.
  
  Reply
bj says:

01:57am | 29/12/10

perfect answer!! Go Ema!
- Arnold Layne says:
  
  03:11pm | 21/12/10
  
  Heh heh. “Have it both ways”.
  
  Reply
- Outraged says:
  
  04:33pm | 21/12/10
  
  Most American rappers do the same. They sing about bling and “Ho’s” and “busting a cap in yo ass” in music videos…then they “Thank God” on stage when winning a Grammty. They are transparent idiots.
  
  Reply
Babe says:

06:51pm | 21/12/10

Guy Sebastian is not an american rapper…they may rap about that stuff in their videos but Guy does not do that in his music or music videos… leave Guy alone… he is a clever and talented aussie that we should be supporting not comparing to US music gangsters…
- Zac says:
  
  06:26pm | 21/12/10
  
  Seems to some of Guy Sebastian’s fans have taken it quite personally. Even I like him, my children are his fans. I can see what is at stake here. I am not convinced if Anthony is an anti-Christian or he has come up with a blog just because Guy is a Christian. I am an unapologetic Christian myself and have been around for a while and debate on many sites. When I see a militant secularist/Atheist, most of the time I can easily locate them. There are many authors, jurnos and bloggers around like that but I am not sure that is the case with Anthony.
  
  From an objective point of view Anthony is confronting a real issue (readers who have engaged in one of the most passionate debate on Josephine Asher’s - Punch - blog may know I am NOT a fan of the feminists). and I am thankful to him for that. I have a few girls myself, they are very dear to me and their mum is a wonderful women. I respect feminine women a lot, they are the most beautiful creation of God. So his fans may understand why this issue is quite sensitive. I know at heart Guy Sebastian respects women and is married and faithful to a lovely women. However the issue is some of his videos can convey a different message about women. If we don’t stand for any values we will fall for anything. I hope he will stand up for the right one. We need many more Guy Sebastian’s in this world. I pray and wish the best for his music career, family and all his fans.
  
  Reply
- Robert Smissen, rural SA, God's own country says:
  
  09:19pm | 21/12/10
  
  When you compare Guy’s sad little video with the child abuse by clergy in churches it all looks pretty tame
  
  Reply
- Paul says:
  
  11:33pm | 21/12/10
  
  Oh come on Guy, what’s with the ‘Duck Lips’ photo pose? You can’t have it both ways: be considered a cool and serious artist and then rock the duck lips pose.
  
  Reply
- digger says:
  
  04:42pm | 22/12/10
  
  Guy Sebastian seems to be very much a product of Paradise Church which is not surprising, having more or less grown up with it. He was most likely seduced by the musical opportunities the church offers as much as anything else. He could not have had better training. Some people here are saying that Guy’s videos depict women as sex objects. It is not surprising if sometime that’s true and is also not surprising because his church and it’s ilk do exactly that with different language. Have you seen the way many of the young women who are members of those churches dress? Glamour seems to be very important, maybe not so much cleavage, but very high high heel shoes and heavy make up are all the go. The women in those churches are trained to serve their men. Yes. It’s ‘Paradise’ for the men. The lyrics to some of Guys songs reflect this attitude and are rather old fashioned. He writes about what he knows, as does anyone. He has never been a prude and I believe the church isn’t prudish about the joy of sex. People from old school churches or who have decided they know what a christian person is like, really have no idea.
  The music industry significantly controls the end products and it is most likely they have suggested he play down his religious life for ‘image’ reasons. It’s business pure and simple. We who do not know him are not in a position to call him a hypocrite.
  I’d prefer to call him an extremely talented musician and entertainer.
  
  Reply
Kat says:

07:27am | 24/12/10

I totally agree with you digger! You have called it right, Guy Sebastian is def an extremely talented musician and entertainer and a very successful Aussie career artist and that is all that should matter. Not his personal life.
- VERY ANGRY Natbelle says:
  
  02:13am | 29/12/10
  
  So Anthony, someone pointed out to me some statements regarding Wikipedia you made in this piece of what you think is journalism. I must confess I only read half of it before I commented previously. Now I would like to address those statements.
  
  A. “The word “Christian” does not appear once in his 5000 word Wikipedia entry.”
  
  Have you actually read in Anthony? Not sure if it is 5,000 words because although I am pedantic I have never actually counted the words. I just wrote most of them. I don’t think you have read it at all, as you say there is no reference to him being a Christian. Here are some excerpts.
  
  “He attended Paradise Community Church, which is a Pentecostal Assemblies of God church and one of the largest churches in Australia, becoming one of their main worship singers. He also sang with the then Paradise Community Church Youth Conference Planetshakers, performing both lead and backup vocals for their 2002 and 2003 conferences and albums. After winning Australian Idol he continued his association with Paradise Church, recording on two of their albums, Adore in 2004 and Set Me Free in 2005.”
  
  “Sebastian also wrote gospel songs for his church in his teenage years. One of them, “Adore”, was included in their 2004 album Paradise Live: Adore. “Receive the Power”, a gospel song written by Sebastian and Gary Pinto, was chosen as the official anthem for the Roman Catholic Church’s XXIII World Youth Day held in Sydney in July 2008.”
  
  Not much I know, but what is supposed to be there? Wiki is meant to be about the public life of a person. If Guy was a preacher, priest or Buddist monk and that was what he was famous for, then his Wikipedia article would have plenty of references to his religion. As he is not, but is simply a musician who happens to be a Christian, and his musicianship is what he is famous for, then that is what his Wikipedia entry should be about. Simple as that. It doesn’t use the word Christian, but I would assume even an idiot would realise that a Pentecostal church is a Christian church. I doubt they would think it was a witches coven. What would you like me to add to it? A reference to him being a Christian in every second sentence. Mentioning he is a member of a church so therefore is no doubt a Christian is surely enough. His life as a Christian, just like his family life is a private affair. He has been married for two and a half years to a girl he met eight years before, and yet there are only two sentences about her too. Should I mention his wife in every sentence that I don’t mention the fact that he is a Christian? And perhaps scatter half a dozen mentions that he remained a virgin until he married due to his religious beliefs.
  
  2. “the glowing tone of which strongly suggests it was written from within Camp Sebastian.”
  
  Who do you think writes Wikipedia articles Anthony? It is people with an interest in the subject matter. Just ordinary people who spend time researching and in most cases trying to give an accurate picture of the subject at hand. The article may appear glowing because it is about someone who has had an extremely successful career with high cd sales, and excellent charting. The few hiccoughs in his charting have also been documented. The article is about someone who has had mainly positive reviews for his body of work, many awards and nominations for that body of work, and who has worked with a number of well known, highly respected musicians who have had very positive things to say about him. I have not put in a single bit of what Wiki calls “pov statements” - statements like “he is a fantastic singer”, “he is as awesome as”, “he has had a hugely unbelievably successful career”, “As far as sales go he eats other idols for breakfast”. None of that. I have also not included any of what Wiki calls original research - putting in my own Interpretation or feelings about his body of work. I have written factual statements about his career, nothing more, and any words of praise (which only appear in a few sections) come from notable people or critics, something that Wikipedia expects in articles about musicians, artists etc. His Wikipedia documents his career and every fact is substantiated with very valid accurate references.
  
  Perhaps you would you like me to balance it out with some of the narky comments planted on his youtubes and newspaper sites by trolls suggesting he is a gay, talentless, karaoke singer. Or add a few scandals if I can dig them up. There must be some out there. Or perhaps not. It seems the lack of scandal in is what makes some journalists so uptight about him. They can’t find anything scandalous to write about him so they make a storm in a teacup about him sitting on a couch in a three piece suit singing about a girl he met in a club. Or do you have a keener eye than I have. Did you spot him making inappropriate advances trying to dry-root that innocent little couch. I could perhaps add that to his Wiki.
  
  Reply
- Natbelle who has seen the error of her ways. Or ma says:
  
  02:53pm | 30/12/10
  
  I decided that perhaps there is not enough criticism of Guy on his Wiki just as Anthony suggested, too much sunshine and light, and I thought this article would be a perfect reference to add some. I can’t add it to his actual page as songs are generally only mentioned briefly on an artist’s main page. But as Who’s That Girl has already had charting, sales and critical success in its brief life, it is entitled to have its own page on Wiki. The video section was very short, as it is hard to go into great detail about such a simple, innocent video. But I have now added a little controversy and criticism to that section to expand it. So Anthony, here is the new video section. And your name is up in lights. Well done.
  
  “The music video for “Who’s That Girl” was shot at the Paddington Town Hall in Sydney. Eve came to Australia in mid November to film the video with Sebastian. It premiered on YouTube on November 26, 2010. The simple, uncluttered video shows Sebastian singing the story of seeing the mystery girl in a dance club, with his mental images of her projected onto the walls. Eve makes a cameo appearance for the rap part of the track. While the majority of comments on the youtube clip from people disappointed with the simple nature of the video were that it was too tame, with no dance club scenes, a total lack of scantily dressed women and no suggestive erotic dancing between the participants, a storm of controversy errupted in one journalist’s mind. Anthony Sharwood wrote in an article on The Punch that as Sebastian had professed himself to be a devout Christian, and as he had a fanbase made up almost exclusively of equally devout Christians, it was hypocritical that he would now try to have it both ways by appearing in a video depicting hard core porn: “So bumpy grindy dry-rooting on a dance floor is now acceptable fodder for openly Christian artists’ video clips. Fine. Not for me to moralise.[...] The theory in camp Sebastian is that he can stay true to his roots in Adelaide’s Paradise Church, while winning over a wave of cooler fans with the same kind of derivative, sexually-laden imagery just about every artist uses these days.” Not for me to moralise either, and of course original research is frowned upon here, but I can’t help wondering exactly which video Mr. Sharwood was watching. Perhaps he slipped the latest dvd he got from his local porn shop into his player by mistake instead of Who’s That Girl.”
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Who’s_That_Girl_(Guy_Sebastian_song)&oldid=404936429
  
  Just kidding Anthony. I was just looking at this article again and then rewatched the video. Cracked up laughing pondering about exactly how you did your research for this article, and so made a temporary edit to the Who’s That Girl page on Wiki. Its gone now, and only viewable if you search the history of the article. Have a great New Year and watch which videos you watch. They can be very harmful to your moral health.
  
  Reply
- Doz says:
  
  05:31pm | 19/03/11
  
  The Bible gives us clear answer to the ‘both ways’ thingy, and the answer is ‘Nup!’. The Bible also tells us who is a ‘Christian’ and who isnt. It doesnt matter what you call yourself, it matters about your confession along with the fruit you consistently bear which determines you to be a Christian or not (Matt 7:20, 1 Jhn 2:3-6). The Bible tells us that Guy Sebastian is not a Christian, as Christians are not people who endorse such things as you find on Guy’s songs. As for the Church speaking out, weve done it, see for yourself:
  http://mcc777.com.au/page66.php
  
  Reply
- www.thepunch.com.au says:
  
  03:20pm | 21/04/11
  
  Sorry guy you cant have it both ways.. Slap-up
  
  Reply
- www.thepunch.com.au says:
  
  01:21pm | 03/06/11
  
  Sorry guy you cant have it both ways.. Great idea
  
  Reply
- Hanna says:
  
  10:06am | 23/11/11
  
  ‘With friends like these, who needs Jesus’. Have a think anthony about who Jesus chose to be friends with. Get a grip.
  
  Reply

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