George Perdikis, Co-Founder of Newsboys, Claims to be an Atheist

George Perdikis, the co-founder of Christian pop/rock group Newboys, says he's lost his faith in God.  And he's now at an atheist.  Further, he asserts  that the band's current members aren't as squeaky clean as they appear to be. 

"I always felt uncomfortable with the strict rules imposed by Christianity. All I wanted to do was create and play rock and roll... and yet most of the attention I received was focused on how well I maintained the impossible standards of religion. I wanted my life to be measured by my music, not by my ability to resist temptation. "

Further, Perdikis has his opinions about his band mates: "The truth is - from someone who knows what went on then and what goes on now - the Newsboys aren't as holy as they profess. Instead of wearing a mask of "righteousness," they should acknowledge that they are struggling as much as everyone else."

Newsboys started in the mid-80s in Australia with Perdikis and Peter Furler.  Their identity as a Christian band was reportedly "heavily influenced" by Furler's Christian parents, whom Perdikis calls "fundamentalist."  Perdikis left the band in 1990.

More than two decades later, Newsboys has six number one Christian singles under its belt. The band won the title of "Group/Duo of the Year" at the Christian pop station K-LOVE's 2014 fan awards. 

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