He has made a name for himself in the music world through unparalleled diversity. He is known for his manacing songs, his dark, gothic appearance, and his hatred towards Christianity.

Many see him as just another entertainer; one who uses his warped behavior as a shock tactic, as well as an expression of his individuality. But to others, he is evil, satanic, and a dangerous threat to the minds of today's young adults.

This view may be very conservative and perhaps ignorant, but it poses a question: Has Marilyn Manson gone too far? Are behaviors such as crucifying cats on stage simple acts performed for their shock value or outright expressions of sadistic perversion?

Some say he corrupts the minds of children and encourages them to behave like him. I don't think he's tainting the minds of children unless they take him too seriously. But when kids see something that is outrageously beyond anything they've ever seen before, they want to imitate it. Do we tell them, "Don't try this at home"?

Personally, I see Marilyn Manson's behavior as abnormal, deranged and psychotic. He may have the right to express himself and prove a point, but there are easier ways.

I don't think it's right to so freely publicize satanic rituals. If he wants to perform them on his own time, that's fine. But when parents start finding their tenÐyearÐolds decapitating the family pet, there just might be a problem.

I also think his ideas are a bit hypocritical. For somebody who so strongly believes in nonconformity, he loves the fact that there are plenty of people out there who want to be like him. Talk about double standards.

Also, he obviously believes in the importance of originality, but the truth is, many of the songs he sings are NOT his. At least the songs that are his own are pretty decent and very well written; and the ones that aren't, he makes them original (Which is more than I can say for Puff Daddy).