This is the big one, the question that's asked most often. Here's a summary of why Coriolis even has a presence within the "Christian music scene," and what we believe. (And I'm not going to sugar-coat it...)

I founded this band in 2004 as a one-man project. I've since brought other members on board, but I'm still responsible for the song lyrics and band imagery. So I'll go into my personal beliefs first...

I believe that Jesus' teachings are the key not only to salvation, but also to a higher quality of life here on Earth. Unfortunately, I also believe that churches have ignored and twisted His teachings for hundreds of years, making it far too difficult for most people to tell the difference between "Christianity," and "tradition."

The church described in the New Testament was quite simple: Live your own life with a desire to grow closer to God, and eventually, the Holy Spirit will begin to draw some people to you. Since God's sheep know his voice, you'll recognize when this is happening, and be available to guide those people to salvation. After which point, you continue your friendship with them, helping to understand the things you've learned along the way. Eventually, these people grow closer to God, and the Holy Spirit draws some people to THEM. They repeat the process.

Eventually, people will begin to recognize each others' strengths and weaknesses. These people will step up to the plate, and work together to make the whole group function as one body. This group grows closer to God by learning through life experiences and helping each other out.

Voila. You have a church.

When Constantine decided to use Christianity for political gain, the Roman Catholic Church was born. Even after Martin Luther criticized many of their beliefs, the basic STRUCTURE of the church has stayed the same for centuries, based on Constantine's model. (IE: The whole church government is based on ONE person in charge, who's primary function is to preach sermons once a week.) In many cases, the congregation are discouraged from reading the Bible for themselves. In other cases, they're encouraged to do so, but God-forbid you arrive at a conclusion that contradicts the teachings of that "leader."

The end result has been a bunch of people who know what they believe, but they don't know why they believe it. They follow the rules of Christianity, because they've been taught to act like good Christians. But any time you try to gain God's favor by following "rules," you're essentially saying that Jesus' sacrifice wasn't good enough, and you'd rather do it on your own. Their lives are a mess, because no matter how hard they try to do what their church teaches them to do, life still sucks, and they're no better off than before they were saved, (with the exception of knowing that someday, when they die years from now, they'll go to Heaven.) And that doesn't make life suck any less, it just helps you sleep at night.

Long story short(er:) I'm a Christian who believes all the essential doctrines. Jesus was fully God, fully man, and died and resurrected to give us a chance to have salvation that was previously unattainable. Pretty much anything more than that, I'm more concerned with what the Bible actually says than whatever your priest/pastor/reverend/rabbi teaches. I believe that Jesus wanted us to focus less on "this sin, and that sin," and more on getting to know God, (and each other,) on a personal level.


Dan Schultz, the guitarist was raised in a Catholic background. It didn't take long for him to see the hypocrisy therein, and complete lack of practical usefulness. He believes that God exists, but has not yet "decided" exactly what he believes. (I quote "decided," because no one can really make that decision until they've had a personal spiritual experience to base their beliefs on.) Otherwise it's just believing what you're told.

Jim Yanus, the drummer, is just a drummer. He's a non-practicing Catholic that drinks like a fish and swears like a sailor. (We don't really allow him to talk at our live shows.)
But, he respects our beliefs and our fans enough to let us carry on without complaint, so more power to him.

kL, our live keyboardist is a fellow Christian, and former keyboardist for the Christian goth band "Wedding Party." He and I share most of our beliefs to the letter.

So, on a "personal" level: It's not likely (though not impossible,) that you'll see altar calls and such from us onstage because that's just not where my heart is. (I'm no evangelist.) I want Coriolis to be a ministry to other Christians who aren't satisfied with pat answers and rhetoric, letting them know that they are perfectly capable of thinking for themselves, and hearing from the Lord without having to agree with everything their particular denomination teaches. There ARE answers to the tough questions, if people would just give up their preconceived notions and dig a little deeper. I want it to be a tool of discipleship, where people are comfortable being honest with us about their experiences and questions, because we're honest with them about ours.

But on an "official" level: We're not a "Christian band." How could we be, since all our members aren't Christians? We're happy playing in churches, and happy playing in bars. (Sometimes, happier.) We sing about whatever we're going through in life, and my Christian beliefs come through as the lyric-writer and founder.

The music comes first, because I'm tired of bands that get so wrapped up in their agendas that they're backed into a corner, and end up forcing their songs to be something artificial and emotionless.

YOU GOTTA PROBLEM WITH THAT!!??

nope! no problems here!

Quote :

When Constantine decided to use Christianity for political gain, the
Roman Catholic Church was born.

We think alike.

What if I do have a problem with that?!? Just kidding!

Yeah, looks like we have similar views! (Commenting on Coriolis and Ash)

Really, really appreciate you being brutally honest. And like the way you explain that this is not a "Christian" band. But still, glad you can be a light in a dark place too.

Yeah, we'll see where it goes. I just don't see the point in writing honest, gritty lyrics on the CD if we're not just as honest in person, you know?

I remember a few years back me calling out on your beliefs

I agree with Jonathan 150%.

Quote :

Long story short(er:) I'm a Christian who believes all the essential doctrines. Jesus was fully God, fully man, and died and resurrected to give us a chance to have salvation that was previously unattainable. Pretty much anything more than that, I'm more concerned with what the Bible actually says than whatever your priest/pastor/reverend/rabbi teaches. I believe that Jesus wanted us to focus less on "this sin, and that sin," and more on getting to know God, (and each other,) on a personal level.

those are my views as well, although I probably follow the lifestyle of your drummer a bit more, haha :p (not that I'm an alcoholic nor am I "not able to control my tongue" )

Kamerad Ash wrote:

Quote :

When Constantine decided to use Christianity for political gain, the
Roman Catholic Church was born.

We think alike.

The word catholic wasn't even used until the protestant reformation to differentiate between the two movements.

Granted I don't really align myself with the RCC that much anymore, but lets not let bias get in the way of fact.

I think many Christians today get so caught up in the legalities (This is a sin, that is a sin, your sin is greater, this sin is greater, we can't do this, oh but that was from the OT so never mind it's okay if I do it now, etc.) that they forget the most important part: Jesus. They forget what He stood for and what He did for us. Also, they focus so much on the legalities applied to other people that they will rigidly follow the "rules" (who's to say that their/their church leader's interpretation is correct?) but not adhere to the greatest commandment--love God and then your neighbor. Christianity is really lacking love and respect these days, and while there are many important things in the Bible, the least of my worries are the ones that so many Christians these days get hung up on (homosexuality, for example). I just want to love my God and love my brothers and sisters, whether they are Christian, Muslim, Jew, atheist, gay, straight, bi, transgender, man, woman, child, alien, whatever. I love them, and through God I am able to love.

^ you are a lovable person. I hope you always will be.

I love you view Brittbritt

Quote :

The word catholic wasn't even used until the protestant reformation to differentiate between the two movements.

Granted I don't really align myself with the RCC that much anymore, but lets not let bias get in the way of fact.

Well, I'm not going to say you're "wrong" just yet, but I'm curious as to where you got those facts.

Here is a link that simplifies the timeline a little...
http://christianity.about.com/od/denominations/a/catholichistory.htm

"in 380 AD, Roman Catholicism became the official religion of the Roman Empire. During the following 1000 years, Catholics were the only people recognized as Christians."

But even assuming that you are correct, (which you may be after all,) don't forget that the word "rapture" wasn't first used until the 1800's. Does that mean there was no such thing as the rapture doctrine until the 1800's? No: many people believed in the concept before it was given an official name.

In the same way, even if it was not "called" the Catholic church, the same policies and political structure that became known as the Catholic church remained largely unchanged after the time of Constantine.


(And by the way, "HI Bmac! Good to see another Firestreamer around.)

Mind giving me more info on the rapture doctrine? that seems interesting to know. Until recently, my beliefs were exclusively orthodox. Now...I am more just trying to make sense of it all.

Dude, the rapture doctrine isn't True, at least the pre-Trib Rapture for sure.

I do agree a ton with Bmac's post. As for Firestream, I wonder if they've banned me yet because of that tithing thread?

I agree with olias. There can't really be anything to garner from your' views on rapture from that little bit. I as well would like to know.

I'm going to start a new topic on this subject, to avoid confusing the crap out of future visitors with a 3-page discussion on "Coriolis beliefs."

Jonathan has had several shows for several weekends..now that has tappered off;he will probably pop in more often..he holds to the belief that if there is no news about the band then he will not appear here.

we remain very optimistic about all the great reviews in regards to the cd "The Endless Funeral"! me personally,i love the single "Same As It Ever Was"!! be sure to pick this up;you will not be disappointed!!

we thank you for your support and encouragement to all of us in the Coriolis camp!!

Dang. That's a little upsetting that He would only visit if their is info about the band. Seemed like a really cool guy to. I usually tend to go beyond the music or the band for individual posters.

joey,perhaps,i should have said not as much! i am curently workin on a special project with him but,not involving Coriolis directly! hopefully,him and i will be able to announce this soon! hang tight!

Um...I wonder what happened to the handy "Topic Reply Notification" emails I usually get...

I normally pop right in once I see some activity. But alas, no activity was to be had. No notification emails= no new forum posts= no reason to check in to the forum, or so I thought!


Apparently a lot happened in this thread since I was here before. (Or DID it?)

I deleted all posts that got on an odd little rabbit trail. Nothing personal to those who posted: (I just hate clutter.)

Now I'm off to see how many other threads I've seemingly ignored because email updates failed...

yo jonathan,great to see you back!!!

So, does Coriolis believe in Santa Claus?? What about the Easter Bunny?? A Diet Dr. Pepper that takes like the original???



Good to see you back, Jonathan.

JeffdlS wrote:

So, does Coriolis believe in Santa Claus?? What about the Easter Bunny?? A Diet Dr. Pepper that takes like the original???