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Hello, how is everyone’s summer going?
Two days ago, I was listening to Christian rock and was feeling very uncomfortable doing so. I stopped the music and looked up the Christian view of rock music. What I found was a pdf of one book that, to put it bluntly, said that rock music and all of its related genres (pop, jazz, metal, etc.) are all the devil’s music in nature and cannot be used for God. The book said that rock music was conceived out of rebellion and other characteristics of it are promotions of blasphemy, rejection of traditional morals/values, anti-Christian sentiments, promiscuity, drugs, alcohol, demonic worship, and the like.
Additionally, the book cited many examples of rock and roll artists such as John Lennon, Pink Floyd, Lady Gaga, and several other popular, big name music artists who were blasphemous and anti-God. Then, yesterday, I found another pdf of another Christian’s music views that were similar. The pdf stated that rock music was influenced by rhythmic African beats that were used by African witch doctors or armies to perform rituals/make soldiers continue marching and leave them in their control. This was to open them up to demonic spiritual experiences in an attempt to contact their gods.
Both the book and the above pdf made it very clear that rock music is satanic by its very essence of the music regardless of lyrics. The book said that rock music and all of its sub genres are the music of the world and a fulfillment of end time prophecies such as that the people of the world will give in to wicked pleasures and blasphemy.
Now, I’m very confused. I know some people who are faithful Christians that listen to secular rock/pop/other genres of music, and also that there is the claim that all music is inherently neutral. However, the way that the authors were conveying it, it sounds like even the very music is demonic. What are all of your views on this?
Some tags: @ellette-giselle @whalekeeper @linus-smallprint @theducktator @raxforge @thearcaneaxiom @hybridlore @esther-c @anyone else
"And she realized that Gnag the Nameless' best efforts to blacken the world would only serve to sc
This sounds like something my OCD brain would get stuck on as well. I don’t think music is evil just for being a certain type of music, but everyone will always have different opinions about this and if it is OCD, talking about it and trying to come up with a logical answer sounds good, but it’s not going to help.
It’s up to you if you want to continue to have conversations about this and see what other people think—obviously, there’s nothing wrong with that, but having OCD myself and knowing that you’ve struggled with that type of thing before, this stands out as totally OCD to me.
I would recommend looking into some books or articles about OCD itself and not the specific subject you’re focusing on right now. I know how it feels to want answers about something specific, but the lie of OCD is that you need to have the answer about this thing, and then your bad feelings and anxiety will go away.
They won’t. A lot of times researching it and focusing on it will just make the obsession bigger. What I usually try to do is just ignore the obsession and try to cope with the anxiety and feelings until it goes away. In some cases, exposure to the thing you’re afraid of can help too.
I’m if you want to talk more about it or anything else. ? Sorry you’ve been going through this.
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C.S.L.
Instead of giving you a direct answer, I am going to give you a few things to think through from both sides of the argument.
I don’t believe that just because something has been invented by a Godless person does not mean it is wrong. Consider this: If we take a look at the book of Genesis, it was Jubal who invented instruments. (Genesis 4:21) Jubal was part of the line of Cain, the rebellious line that fled from God and set out to make a name for themselves. His father, Lamech, was a godless man who boasted of killing a man who had wronged him. (Genesis 4:23-24). It is not likely that Jubal used his instruments to glorify God. But this does not make instruments evil, and many people later on used similar instruments to glorify God, like David with his harp. What makes them evil is the way they are used. Is the intent of playing the instrument to glorify God, or is it for a sinful reason?
So have other people used Rock, Pop, Jazz, and other similar music to promote sinful and demonic things? Yes, they do. But these genres of music don’t have to be used for evil.
Another thing to consider is those around you. The writers of these articles you found are clearly against rock music, but are there people around you who would stumble if you listened to Rock music? If it is the case, then perhaps you should find other music to listen to so that they do not stumble. (See Romans 14: 13-23)
Also, ask yourself why you were feeling uncomfortable listening to Rock before you looked up the PDFs. Check your conscience as well. When listening to Rock, are you tempted to be rebellious? Does the song lead you to think sinful thoughts? Does it lead you away from God? If you feel this, maybe you should draw back from this, but be loving and gracious to Christians who still enjoy this sort of music.
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
I don’t tend to listen to Rock, so I’m not the best one to answer this. XD
And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who couldn't hear the music
I’m not an expert on this, but would say that as long as the song itself does not glorify sin, it probably falls in with eating meat sacrificed to idols. Paul teaches that one person may be able to eat it with the understanding that God made all things and the food is just food and can be eaten to glorify God instead, but another person may have prior experience worshiping idols by eating food from sacrifices and not be able to eat it without connecting it to worship of demons. Therefore, it is a sin for the latter, but not of the former, unless the former eats it with the latter and so encourages his brother to fall.
I personally don’t love rock(or rap. ugh.), and refrain from listening to any “metal” music. First, it grates on my nerves; I’m a folk and classical music girl with a love for Pentecostal/Apostolic Gospel music. Second, rock is connected with rebellion, etc, so bad connotations for me. However, some musical elements are used in Gospel/worship music, and as a musician, I don’t mind that when it’s really just a musical technique being used to glorify God in spirit and in truth. As far as Christain rock goes, well, if it isn’t promoting sin, then I believe it’s between a person and God, maybe a person’s pastor. I know two people, one who does not listen to rock because it reminds her of old temptations, and one who used it to escape the pull of her worldly friends and truly evil music.
Music is divine. It connects our minds with our emotions and is used throughout the Bible in worship and prophesy – all to God’s glory. So it’s not surprising that it’s used by the world for other purposes. It is not inherently evil, but it is powerful. Maybe just step back and find the music that uplifts you and encourages you to live unto God. What’s music that brings a smile to your face? Or maybe a song that reminds you that valleys don’t last forever and hope is eternal? Like Paul said,” …If there be any virtue, if there be any priase, think on [listen to] these things.”
You have listened to fears, child. Come, let me breathe on you... Are you brave again? -Aslan
Hey! ? I haven’t thought about this in a long time, but I agree with everyone else on this thread. Just because a genre of music has been used to spread bad messages does not mean the genre itself is bad.
Take jazz, for example. There are many different jazz songs, and these songs have been the backdrop for cozy, peaceful memories with loved ones. There are so many stories of older family members falling in love with each other while dancing.
I can actually cite an example of a metal song benefiting me. ? I listen to rock and metal sometimes. I enjoy the styles because I love heavy bass and the exhilarating guitar. Plus, electric guitar is one of the rare instruments that triggers my synesthesia. Anyway, I listened to Caramel by Sleep Token. The song is about the singer struggling with keeping his identity secret from the public. It’s basically a warning against idolizing famous people, because that can hurt you, and it can hurt the famous person because it dehumanizes them. That song sticks with me because in a world of social media, it’s easy to want fame. And that song is a reality check.
My point is, you don’t have to be afraid of a genre. Listen to the song itself for what it is. Everything in this world can be used for good or evil, and if we try to avoid the instruments themselves, eventually there is nothing left but the fear.
I am out of signature ideas
I just released that band might cause you pain to look up because the Google search makes them look satanic. ?? They do not worship a demon, point blank, and I can explain that if need be.
I am out of signature ideas
Oh cheese and crackers, now I’m worried everyone’s gonna think I’m a horrible person
I am out of signature ideas
I listen to rock and metal sometimes
Someone made a heavy metal version of The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything. It’s awesome. XD
I don’t usually listen to rock, rap, (except Hamilton. I love Hamilton), or pop, but I LOVE jazz. (I’m listening to Frank Sinatra as I write this). I’d chalk this up with the food questions in whatever epistle that was. Basically, try not to listen to it around people who think it’s wrong, but it’s okay to listen on your own. That said, I do think there are a lot of annoying holier-than-thou people who are trying to condemn everyone to Hell for disagreements over unimportant stuff, and that’s what those books you found sound like. Something can be a temptation to others, and not to you. I don’t think any of those genres are inherently evil, and there can be godly songs written in them. Regarding music itself, I do think quality has degraded over time as culture strayed further from God, but quality and content issues are completely different.
And don’t even get me started on music quality these days…?For our Blessed Lady's sake, bring us in good ale!?
I was going to share my thoughts, but then this thread would start to become redundant, lol! I pretty much agree with what everyone else has said. And as for the passage people keep referencing about food offered to idols and becoming a stumbling block, that’s 1 Corinthians 8.
Write what should not be forgotten. — Isabel Allende
Thank you for the concern, it’s so kind of you! Your right on the money, I have noticed I’ve become a bit obsessive/overly scrupulous about things recently, so as you mentioned I will look into OCD.
Huh, that’s interesting about the instruments. I’m not still completely sure why I felt uncomfortable listening to the music, as the lyrics were clearly glorifying God and the band had a sound base. Mainly I think I had a mingled sense of happiness at having found the band and also thinking of how awesome Christianity is. Thank you for the advice.
"And she realized that Gnag the Nameless' best efforts to blacken the world would only serve to sc
Thanks for letting me know lol.
Ah, another classical music lover! (The lack of classical fans is alarming). I love classical, and somehow enjoy rock as well XD. Thank you, Paul’s passage is very applicable here.
You mentioning rock and rebellion reminded me of one boy who, before converting, loved heavy metal, and while attending a concert, things were getting out of hand and the music was so disorienting and chaotic that the boy remembered thinking “Things can’t get much worse.”
Rock is definitely a very powerful and at times dangerous genre, and in my opinion can be a great source for darkness. For example, once someone I knew was blasting a song about a person going to hell and the horrors they’ll face there, and it wasn’t in the context of Christianity at all, and the instrumental was of course very dark and almost demonic sounding. In a different song, though, a Christian one, the electric guitar did not sound dark at all. So now that I’ve rambled I’m going to discern, so thanks again lol."And she realized that Gnag the Nameless' best efforts to blacken the world would only serve to sc
You have synesthesia? That’s so cool! Thanks for your response, I think that’s great that the song leaves that kind of impact on you.
You might have to explain what that thing is though XD.
Thanks for your thoughts. Your most likely right about the self righteous point from which the authors were writing. They did label people who listened to rock and all of its connected genres as depraved and whatnot, which is totally untrue. Still, their concern is not completely wrong, since there is a LOT of evil in the music industry in all genres, particularly pop and rock. (Side note, you are also correct in that the quality of music has significantly dropped).
Thank you for the citation!
"And she realized that Gnag the Nameless' best efforts to blacken the world would only serve to sc
Yeah, it’s pretty cool!
And if you don’t enjoy rock, that’s fine. Sometimes certain genres bothers a person and they don’t know why. It’s just a fact of their life. Many country songs rub me off the wrong way, and I don’t know why. ?♀️
You might have to explain what that thing is though XD.
Synesthesia? That’s where a person has developed extra cognitive pathways between senses or within a sense. For example, seeing colors in your mind’s eye when you hear music. In my case, I see colors in words when I read or hear them.
I am out of signature ideas
And if you don’t enjoy rock, that’s fine. Sometimes certain genres bothers a person and they don’t know why. It’s just a fact of their life. Many country songs rub me off the wrong way, and I don’t know why. ?♀️
Very true.
Oh, I meant the band’s statue thing or whatever that was relating to the song you mentioned. Sorry, should’ve clarified.
"And she realized that Gnag the Nameless' best efforts to blacken the world would only serve to sc
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