http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp-SqZ63Ga8

The link above is a song called 'Leaving Jesusland', by punk band NOFX.

I think that this is a perfect contemporary critique on modern day America as it touches on the topic of religion, which is a touchy topic in America with 77% of Americans claiming Christian faith*.

The song criticises the conservative and seemingly narrow minded views of those in the bible belt, also known as Jesusland, Which can be found in the south and mid western states. Hence the line 'What makes this country great is living on either side', referring to the north east and south west.

I think that the song does a good job of capturing a general overview of American society as the divide between religious and non religious, as well as conservative and liberal is often drastic, and clearly visible. The song also makes reference to nihilism, an idealistic and extremely left wing view of government, or really, non government. One line in the song really sticks out to me, 'Need to punch new holes in the bible belt', i think that this line works well on two levels, firstly, it works well as a tongue in cheek jab at America's obesity problem, while secondly, it suggests that these conservative religious views are spreading further across the country.  







*Taken from 2012 poll by Gallup politics http://www.gallup.com/poll/159548/identify-christian.aspx