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Editor's note: When word leaked last week that Derek Webb had "crossed the line" with his label, INO Records, partly over the apparent use of a four-letter word in one of his songs, we responded with a commentary by Todd Hertz on the topic—and readers have responded in droves. Some of your responses got Hertz to rethink his admitted pet peeve about artists who self-declare their work as important—and after further consideration, Todd says, "I jumped to some unfair conclusions when reading Webb's use of the word 'important,' and I apologize for that. I expect any artist to have passion for their work. If it is not important, why do it?"

Other reader responses brought great insight into complex issues that, frankly, we still don't know everything about. As Webb said in a follow-up e-mail to fans yesterday, "Make no mistake, our trouble with the label over content is very real, and not as simple as one word; we're backed into a corner." He is going to lay low for now, he says, but promises more details to come. And so, without further ado, we'd like to share some of those reader responses with you here:

I don't understand Todd Hertz's pet peeve about artists self-declaring their work as important. Don't we all want our work to be meaningful and important? I'm a public health nurse and I am passionate about the work I do. I am convinced it is important work that makes a difference in people's lives. Should artistic work be any different? Also, I know Derek Webb weighs each word he uses, sometimes obsessively. If he feels a word of profanity is necessary for the message of the song, I would like to hear his reasoning. He has always been willing to take risks and say what is sometimes hard to hear. I'll take that honesty and refreshing transparency any day over the boring pop Christian pabulum.
—Margo Cameron

I find it grating to hear an artist go on about how important his or her music is—and how necessary it is that it be heard. I believe that music is only important in hindsight. For instance, U2 is important—but no one could have known their importance when they recorded War.
—Tom Richards

I feel like Hertz poisoned the well a bit, making it sound like Webb called his own work important and leading readers to see Derek as arrogant. Derek said he sees this as his most important record, which is perfectly legitimate for him to say. He's saying that of his body of work, this record is important to him. That's vastly different than saying "my record is important among all records ever made." I believe it's a mark of true humility to be able to freely talk positively of yourself, giving yourself neither special praise or criticism.
—Jason Gray

For too long, legalism prevailed in Christianity: don't do this, don't say that. That's not good—it's very similar to the bonds of sin. But now, the contemporary Christian stance is license and liberalism. You are free to do whatever you see is appropriate. We have gone from one extreme to the other.
—Gary Gamble

This discussion reminds me of the Tony Campolo line: "While you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a s—. What's worse is that you're more upset with the fact that I said s— than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night." Sometimes swearing is quite appropriate because the thing being sworn about is much more important than the swearing itself.
—Adam Shields

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