What thought comes to mind when you hear the name, Marilyn Manson? Do you imagine a musician, or do you imagine a musician that is known as a bad influence? A weirdo? Maybe even a freak?
Well hopefully by the end of this lecture I can change that automatic reaction to this name.
I will back up, one by one, as many reasons as I can possibly think of, as to why Marilyn Manson is seen as an outsider or sadistic individual.

For those of you who may not be familiar with Brian Warner aka Marilyn Manson, He is the lead singer of the band Marilyn Manson. I will give you a short description of him.
A prejudice person’s perceptive would be something like: He looks like a ‘Goth’. He wears black clothes and wears pale make-up.  
An open-minded, unbiased perceptive would be that: Marilyn Manson dresses unrestrictedly. He goes to the extreme. He wears black clothes; he has long black hair and does wear a lot of make up.   

I recognize that maybe he is classed as an outsider because he chooses not to look like society’s definition of normality. Because extremes- whether good or bad- do not fit that definition.          

But, since when, has non-conformity been a crime? People seem to perceive Manson as being sadistic due to stereotypes. If you wear black; you’re immediately categorized by society as a ”goth” or “Satanist”.

I do realise that this appearance issue is not the only factor that contributes to Manson’s harsh reputation with the public. Another reason I picked up in my investigation as to what makes Marilyn Manson such an outsider to society is his self-proclaimed idea of being an Anti-Christ.
Obviously, that is the truth. He is an Anti-Christ. He is also a reverend of the Church Of Satan, founded by Anton LaVey. It may shock you that I’m defending a Satanist in a classroom full of religions based on worshipping Jesus. But if you listen on with an open mind, you may gain some knowledge about a religion other then your own, which you have misinterpreted all this time. Satanism.
So which part automatically discomforts you? The part where I mention Satan? Or the part where I put the words Anti and Christ together? Satanism is a religion based on free speech, non-conformity, respect for human life and being responsible for your own good and your own evil; instead of blaming your self-inflicted actions on God and the Devil.
Why is it called Satanism, you may ask, if it has nothing to do with worshipping the devil? Well, quote by the former high priestess of the Church of Satan, “Satanists find more strength in images of defiance, fortitude against all odds and self-determination than we do in the image of the guy hanging on the Cross. When my back is up against the wall, I’m not strengthened by Jesus’ supposed martyrdom, or by the idea of praying and being saved, or of mooning over some glorious afterlife. Satanists’ scorn for such drivel is in our hard wiring, and we could no more “give our lives over to Christ” than we could cut off one of our own limbs. The word “Satan” is the first hurdle to understanding what we’re trying to get across. Question, challenge all things, especially what you’ve been taught about supposed enemies. Sort out the truth from convenient myths. Words are magical and potent—use them effectively.” Unquote.

Catholics and Christians claim to be open to all religions but as soon as a single person, such as Marilyn Manson, says, “I don’t want to share your beliefs” he is immediately classed as evil.
A Few Rights From The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
(Article 2.) Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion...
(Article 18) Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion of belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
(Article 19) Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, recieve and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
As I recall, when controversial rapper EMINEM announced he was going to do a duet with pop-singer Elton John, most well known musicians/singers came out to defend EMINEM's right of expression.
Now I’m sure the list of rights stated above abide for everyone in the united nation. Therefore, why are Marilyn Manson's rights suppressed and no one is defending his rights when others who voice similar opinions do not have their rights suppressed and have many defending their rights? Why is it that Manson’s shows have been unexpectedly called off due to American society’s misinterpretation of the messages conveyed in his music or due to predominately Christian protestors invading his shows?
The only possible reason is merely, religion. But do the above selected rights not say that there will be NO bigotry regarding ones religion? Is this some kind of message that you must be of an "ACCEPTED" religion for the LAW to apply?
As I see it, this is a duplicitous statement that if you spread a certain type of hate that the Christian churches of the world agree with than it is considered "OKAY" and it is over looked, or even ignored, by the same board that are so appalled with Marilyn Manson!

Another reason that you may define Marilyn Manson as an outsider, are rumors spread about him, thanks to naïve public.
My mum has always told me to never believe any rumors I heard because it’s unfair on the person if they are untrue. So the other day I tried explaining my infatuation with Marilyn Manson’s life and a look of disgust came over her face.
Annoyed, I said, “What is that look for?”
“He’s weird!” she replied, still disgusted.
“Why?” I asked, matter-of-factly.
“Well for starters look at him. And I heard he killed animals in concert?”
I could have tried to defend him there, but going back to her theory of ‘Never-believe-it-without-proof-unless-it-involves-Marilyn-Manson-then-I’ll-believe-anything-because-he-looks-different, she wouldn’t believe me unless I had him admit it in writing. So that’s what I did.
Quote from Manson’s biography, “if I had really gotten my ribs removed I’d be sucking my own ahem on the wonder years instead of chasing Winnie Cooper. Besides, I wouldn’t have sucked other peoples ahem onstage, either. I would be sucking my own. Plus, who really has time to be killing puppies when you could be sucking your own … “ you get the picture.
To me, this is a playful way of clarifying that these rumors are not factual and have been pathetically created by people who want to see Marilyn Manson’s reputation go downhill, when really, the more controversial he is made out to be, the more he attracts teenagers. Good job guys.

Last of all, the adults in society seem to find comfort in blaming Manson for teen suicide, shootings (columbine especially) and other violent issues in the world today.  They assume this, mainly, because of his music.
To adults, Manson’s music is purely unpleasant. I know of not one adult who has bothered to listen to the lyrics, instead they just assume that because the music sounds quite dark, the lyrics must base around sadism. Now for those of you who aren’t familiar with what Manson’s music is about, let me fill you in a little. Marilyn Manson is known to sing about such things as abortion, non-conformity, free thought, youth breaking free of their oppressors (whether they be parents or society in general, both are the true reasons for MOST youth violence in this world), and, yes, even love! But, in Manson's own words it's "...NOT hate for the sake of hate, but hate with a message..."!
Now, for a simple entertainer to be blamed for children going into school and killing each other is ridiculous. Of course, parents forgot that the president was shooting bombs overseas due to whatever reasons. The whole world is under the thumb of violence and ignorance, and a musician with a talent to provoke thought with words, gets the blame? Maybe you should look at the parents of the kids who excluded, bullied and drove the boys guilty for the columbine shootings to crime, for not instilling morals into their children.  
Manson’s lyrics are not designed for a person to kill himself over. For someone to be stupid enough to kill himself over a song, there would have to be serious problems in his life leading up to his death, therefore it would not be entirely Manson’s fault. Another quote from his biography, “Music doesn’t kill people. Poor upbringing does. If someone wants to blame art, why are kids taught to read Romeo and Juliet at school? Here’s a story about kids killing themselves for one very important reason: their parents didn’t understand them.”
Marilyn Manson is a very intelligent man, and he says himself that what he wants is for people to think for themselves. Just because his music doesn't sugar coat the word, doesn't make it evil.

His music might give you a migraine. His stage manner is kind of gross and somewhat violent. But then, so are a lot of blockbuster movies. So is a Mike Tyson fight. So is the six o'clock news, for that matter. Why is it ok for 50 cent to have big women dancing around half naked, degrading the rest of the female race? Why isn’t he classed as “totally obscene”?  If you’re going to try and block out an aspect of the music industry, which brings reality to media images, then block out the whole lot, Brittany and her artificial beauty, Michael the baby-dangler and his artificial head, Eminem and his degradation of women, all of it.

Now what I ask you to do is not believe what I say, but I think you should go listen to some of his music, and more importantly read what he has said, and if you still disagree with me that's fine, but don't disagree with me now just because the media, your parents, your friends, or your church say that he is evil. His music produces thought.