They emerged in the late 1990s as the recording industry's hottest new group. They had already captured the attention of music lovers around the country with a plethora of big hits, including “Say My Name” and “Bills, Bills, Bills,” both released in 1999.

But it was the group's sexy, youthful appeal and 2001 hit song “Survivor” that catapulted them to the top of every music chart in the industry. Today, they have sold more than 40 million records.

Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, the three 20-somethings who make up the singing sensation Destiny's Child, have made it big. In late 2000 they settled a bitter breach-of-contract lawsuit with former members of Destiny's Child and have since acquired international acclaim as one of the world's most successful all-girl groups.

But somewhere along the way, the trio traded their message of empowerment and success for a more steamy, provocative sound.

With street-savvy sexual lyrics, seductive clothing and overtly suggestive dance moves as signature trademarks, Destiny's Child continues to dominate the pop and R&B scene. However, many parents and others see a sharp contrast between the group's public profession of faith in Jesus and the songs they sing. The words to the contemporary chart-buster “Lose My Breath” from their 2004 release Destiny Fulfilled illustrate the critics' point:

“Can you keep up? / Baby boy / Make me lose my breath / Bring the noise / Make me lose my breath / Hit me hard / Make me lose my breath… Ooo, I put it right there made it easy for you to get to / Now you want to act like you don't know what to do / After I done everything that you asked me/ Grabbed you, grind you, liked you, tried you / Moved so fast baby now I can't find you.”

Why are young people buying the group's apparently contradictory message? In his book Faith, God and Rock & Roll, author Mark Joseph explains. “In the confused sexual ethos of the post-AIDS era, Destiny's Child seemed to be a perfect reflection of the pop culture group zeitgeist that was able to marry a somewhat virginal sexual ethic with an up-front and frank sexual posturing,” he writes.

Experts say it's the beat of the music that draws people, but it's the lyrics that influence culture; they teach society how to live. Popular music and other mediums help to shape a person's worldview, and what he sees as reality when an adult or young adult is often contrary to core values learned early in life.

The line between quality entertainment and raunchy programming is becoming increasingly unclear with the release of television's new fall lineup. MTV's gay channel, Logo, launched in 2005; sex-driven reality shows dominate prime time; and films that are rated PG-13 today are worse than R-rated films from 10 years ago.

If Destiny's Child is too steamy for some listeners, then Jessica Simpson in her movie debut as Daisy in The Dukes of Hazzard is scalding. The movie is a remake of the 1979 popular television series.

The bikini-clad Simpson heats up the screen opposite Burt Reynolds, who portrays Boss Hogg. Simpson discarded her virtuous, good-girl facade for the sensual allure of a vixen.