ANBERLIN - a christian band?

Many people, both fans and critics have labelled Anberlin as a christian band due to both due to their lyrics and the fact that they are signed to Tooth and Nail records who, a while ago, were a christian label and the common view stuck.

Every member is individually a christian and their faith reflects in their songs. Stephen Christian said "my faith affects every single aspect of my life, but I'm not a preacher, I am an entertainer" but they continue to say that, as a band, it should not be put in the 'Christian Rock' genre.

However their songs feature christian references in the lyrics, and they play The Parachute Music Festival and other similar christian festivals and have even appeared on christian compilation CD's and on the Gospel Music Channel.

They have also featured frequently in HM (Hard Music) magazine, originally called Heaven's Metal, a christian rock magazine, and Christian even submitted a letter openly criticizing christian rock band 'The Knights of the new Crusade' for a promotional picture that he deemed "a black mark on the face of christianity".

Nathan Young on the christian rock label - "The thing is, some bands that are trying to get out of the Christian market, they get bummed out by questions about it. I don’t really mind it, because I’m a Christian, and I’m okay talking about it. With the whole term 'Christian Band,' I don’t understand how a band can be Christian. We get the question, 'Is Anberlin a Christian band?' and it’s like, yeah, Anberlin is — as humans"

They are very open about their faith, on and off stage and there is a constant argument going on between both fans and critics. Especially on websites such as youtube.com...