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The term '''Jesus freak''' was originally a [[pejorative]] term applied to those involved in the [[Jesus movement]] of the late [[1960s]] and early [[1970s]]. The term came into existence within the context of the [[freak scene]] of that era. At first, the term was used only in reference to members of the movement, but it has since found wide usage outside of that scene. It is still sometimes used as a pejorative epithet against Christians in general. However, some [[Christianity|Christians]] now consider it a [[reclaiming|reclaimed]] word, as some Christians, especially Christian youth, occasionally use it as a positive term to let others know that they are not ashamed of their beliefs.

Perhaps its most well-known usage was in the lyrics of [[Elton John]]'s song "[[Tiny Dancer]]" ("Jesus freaks, out in the street, handing tickets out to God," referring to [[Tract (literature)|gospel tracts]]), but it has also appeared in [[Felt (band)|Felt]]'s [[1986 in music|1986]] single "Ballad of the Band." The term has recently been used frequently by [[Ted Turner]] and [[Howard Stern]], referring however to [[fundamentalist]]sfundamentalists. "Jesus Freak" also appeared as the title of the [[Jesus Freak (album)|1995 album]] by [[dc Talk]], and that album helped turn the term into more of a compliment.

==Bibliography==* Di Sabatino, David. ''The Jesus People Movement: An Annotated Bibliography and General Resource'' (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999). [http://www.jesuspeoplemovement.com] ==External linksLinks==

{{returnto}} [[Category:Jesus Movement]][[Category:Pejorative terms for people]] [[de:Jesus FreaksMajor events and movements in church history]]