AUTHOR DENOUNCES ROCK MUSIC

Rock music is destroying the moral fiber of the nation, popular right- wing
author John Stormer told some 200 people at Liberty Baptist Church in
Modesto on Sunday.

Ever since Elvis Presley, rock lyrics have promoted rebellion and "vile"
behavior and divided parents from children, the 73-year-old Missouri
minister said.

"The music conditions people (to pursue) sex, drugs and violence," he
explained. Stormer added that he's never met a drug user who didn't listen
to rock music first.

Stormer is an outspoken advocate for America to return to what he believes
is its biblical foundation. He came to national prominence in 1964 after he
published the best-selling anti-communism book, "None Dare Call It
Treason." Since then, he has written "None Dare Call It Education" about
the influence of secular humanists on public education and "Growing Up
God's Way."

His books have sold about 10 million copies.

Ray McDaniel, pastor of Liberty Baptist, read Stormer's first book when he
was in college and said it changed the direction of his life.

"I found out that I was a conservative," he said. "I found out that I
believed in traditional values."

McDaniel's congregation was receptive to what Stormer had to say Sunday.
Many people in attendance shouted out frequent "Amens" and "That's right"
during his speech. Afterward, some bought copies of his books and asked him
to autograph them.

Earlier during his remarks, Stormer said he thought America began to go
downhill in 1960. That's when the country started moving away from
spiritual values to physical ones. People stopped thinking and feeling and
instead started worrying about satisfying their physical needs, like their
sex drive.

In 1960, television shows couldn't use the word "damn," students regularly
prayed and studied the Bible in public schools and only three out of 10
marriages ended in divorce, he said.

"I think most of us would agree something has happened, something has
changed," Stormer said.

Stormer believes the solution is for Americans to study the Bible and give
up bad music, bad TV shows and junk food. They should surround themselves
with soothing music like the kind the biblical hero David played on his
harp. Stormer added that they should also pray and trust in God.

He believes this is the only way the country will ultimately prosper.

"The temptation is to say, 'Do you have to be so hard-nosed about these
things?'" he said. "Yes, you do."