I am clearly more cynical.
ICP is based on the mythology of the Dark Carnival, a symbolic limbo state where the lives of the dead are judged by one of several entities. It's become a bit of a religion at this point. However, what they (the band members) "say" in interviews and what they "put into their songs" do not necessarily mesh with the same message. In fact, they conflict. The band members claim their lyrics are meant to highlight the difference between right and wrong, and urge listeners to do the "right things". However, the actual lyrics pretty much only instruct listeners to do wrong, and they are graphic depictions of acting out crimes and pain causing mamings. With sharp objects, and specifically hatchets, no less.
I've read that juggalos typically stay in the gang for life. The readings further indicated that it's because less intelligent persons are the ones who get hooked up with the cult in the first place, adopting it as their religion and way of life. There are plenty of adult juggalos, some in there 50's and 60's, and they all stick together like a family. This means they started in it as adults, since the band's inception was 1989, and the widespread cult following came shortly after.
Read into that last paragraph what you will, but preferably read into it what I am blatantly insinuating. Just sayin'.