Stryper's Michael Sweet’s Message To A Divided World: Rock Respect And The Red‑White‑and‑Blue

 Thursday night, while I was cruising through Facebook, I landed on a post from Michael Sweet — singer, songwriter, guitarist, founding member of Stryper, and one of the most respected voices in the rock world. This is a guy who’s earned the admiration of the music community and the global stage. When Michael Sweet speaks, you don’t just scroll past — you stop, you listen, and you take in every word.

I’ve got nothing but respect for Michael Sweet — his music, his life, his convictions, and the way he and his band stand tall for what they believe in. He’s earned that respect from the rock community and from fans around the world, and I’m right there with them.

To keep things straight, here’s the post he shared — copy‑and‑pasted exactly as he wrote it — along with the slick graphic Michael put together himself.

I posted this yesterday. I’ve spent a good part of my morning blocking people & deleting some pretty horrible comments.
Some from people who live here who hate the flag and these colors, and some from people in other countries who also seem to hate the flag and its colors.
What is going on? I was born in the USA. I’m proud of this flag and its colors. If you want to come here and disrespect what this flag represents (and those who died for this flag), then expect to be blocked. I won’t put up with it. Ever!!
By posting this, I’m not disrespecting other countries. I’m simply paying respect to this country. I’m very patriotic and proud of our beautiful country. And, it just so happens that I was born on the 4th of July. Maybe God knew how much I would love this country and he blessed me to be born on that day, who knows
My point is, why would anyone have a problem with me posting something like this? My mind is blown
If the Internet has shown me one thing, it is that this world needs Jesus now more than ever"

Being a rock writer for 58 years, I’ve watched the whole ride — the highs, the lows, the wars, the love, the hatred, the peace, and, in these recent years, a growing wave of disrespect for our country and even for the One who created us all. Through all of that, Michael Sweet and Stryper have stood tall for more than four decades, pulling countless fans toward faith through the power of their music.

So when some folks pushed back against Michael’s red‑white‑and‑blue Stryper logo, I had to wonder: What’s suddenly so wrong with this country? Since when did freedom become something that hits people in the face? What’s so bad about the USA — or the colors that define it? Instead of unloading on Michael’s sharp, patriotic design, maybe the real question is what’s actually hitting people beneath the surface?

From where I’m standing, Michael called it straight — this world needs Jesus now more than ever!

For that, I stand with Michael Sweet & Stryper!

God Bless America! (And The World)

Gary England