Listening to "secular" music? (Full Version)

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Concerto -> Listening to "secular" music? (4/26/2009 3:02:50 PM)

I wonder, is listening to "secular" music even possible? I mean, let us say you listen to some country artist...the song has "clean" lyrics, but, all of the other songs by this artist are about getting drunk, etc.

Or, some secular artist you like lives an ungodly lifestyle. Should we even be listening to this person?

The root of my post involves one of my favorite artists--Barry Manilow. He is very talented. But, during a concert he said "G-d Da-n it"...not in anger, but, just matter-of-factly. I also wonder, with a person as talented as Barry Manilow, why he has never written a song about the God who has blessed him with such musical ability.

Conversely, a lot of "Christian" music, sounds like the stuff on the radio, on secular stations. I suppose it boils down to personal conviction from the Holy Spirit.

But, appreciate your comments...

C



lionofzion56 -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/26/2009 3:58:35 PM)

this is a good topic. i am a big music fan. i listen to it, i play music, so... i really understand how people feel about music. um... i think its ok to listen to "secular" music AS LONG AS it doesnt bring you down. or tempt you, or make you sad or anything like that- in an ungodly way. i think its simple. there are some musicians that i feel very enticed to listen to a lot- meaning- i really like the music- but ive come to know that ists ungodly, its fleshly- it builds my flesh rather than my faith. so... last week i after i repented for buying a cd i had i broke it and threw it away. id rather do that than give it away or keep it- thats like quitting smoking and keeping a pack in the glove box. doenst make sense. to me anyways. i also thought to the Lord, why then isnt thier any Christian music that is like this other music. He never really answered me, but now that I think about it, its like saying why dont i feel drunk when I dont drink.. see my analogy? its because we dont need to. HE is all we need.



LoveNeverDies -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/26/2009 6:26:49 PM)

I think it's perfectly fine to listen to secular music. If you aren't spiritually strong enough, don't listen unless you can handle it. Secular music is eating meat in front of someone convicted of meat, you may be strong enough to eat it, but the other person isn't. If you can handle secular music, do so if you want. God gave us music and He gave us the free will to use it however we wish to use it.
I, personally, like to listen to a lot of music that seems to be angry or depressing(both Christian and secular). It's just the kind of music that I was attracted to vs. the happy-go-lucky CCM. Many of my favorite artists aren't Christian. Klay Scott is one of them. My favorite Christian bands are ones like Antestor and Crashdog. I'm currently an industrial addict right now, so I'm listening to a lot of non-Christian artists. They don't get in the way of my relationship with God. It's my fault if something gets in the way of my relationship with God, not a song's. I'm the one who has the choice to stay or turn away, a song wouldn't be making me do that.
I don't really care about an artists life unless I really respect the musician(like Klay Scott). I listen to music for the music.



Deleted User -> [Deleted] (4/26/2009 7:20:26 PM)

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holyrokker -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/27/2009 1:29:48 AM)

The real issue is the content. That holds true for music, TV, movies: any form of art or entertainment.

I don't see a distinction between secular and sacred. God can use anything to teach us.

We need to learn discernment.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24"
quote:

Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.



Notice that the last line puts the focus on what is good for others. This is also something that we need to consider in all of our actions in life - the way we affect those around us.



Giggles56 -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/27/2009 6:12:53 AM)

For myself I listen to just about everything, doesn't matter what style or genre of music. I prefer listening to music that is uplifting, but I sometimes listen to artists whose lyrics are deep and sometimes emotional. You can tell where a person is in their life just by listening to the lyrics. For those that listen, they may be affected by it because they can relate to the artist's feelings through the lyrics. I'm talking about the emotional part of it and not how they handled the situation. That is up to the listener and/or the artist, whether it be a choice of turning to God or something worldly.
I also very often listen to artists based on their talent and I think it's just plain good use of instrumentation, but I will not listen to artists that glorify sex, drugs, alcohol, and materialistic things, no matter how talented they are. That's where I'm at and my choice and I would never tell someone what they should or should not listen to. For me, I would seek the Lord's guidance for that answer.



Bro_Shane -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/27/2009 1:16:14 PM)

Bro. Shane, who has been called a Pharisee more times than I can count (I wish I had a dollar for every time), is about to give the low-down:

I do not like most "Christian" music. I dislike Southern Gospel with such intensity that it gives me a headache. Modern "praise and worship" music, on the whole, seems to me to be trite and lazy. Of course, there are standouts in each - people with amazing talent that use it in such a way that it does give me goose bumps - but I find them to be few and far between. I'm not saying the message isn't good, and I'm not casting aspersions on anyone that likes whatever they like. I hope they are edified by it, most of it is just not for me.

I listen to mostly secular music. I love everything from Jazz, Blues, R&B/Soul (old-school stuff like Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder), and even harder stuff like Opeth and Mastodon. The wonderful thing about how we purchase music today is that, if there is a track on an album I find offensive or has questionable content, I don't buy it.

This is something that is between the believer and the Lord. If you are burdened to either no longer listen to, or take a break from, a certain kind of music then do so. If you can listen to a certain kind of music and it not come between you and the Lord, then listen to it. There are times I will refrain from listening to a certain genre if I find it affects my moods in a certain way.

BTW, if you would like to be a member of Bro. Shane's Pharisee Club we have jackets and a secret handshake - but I warn you, we are an exclusive bunch. :)



mapachito13 -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/27/2009 3:37:53 PM)

Here we go again!!! [&:]



LoveNeverDies -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/27/2009 4:01:38 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: mapachito13

Here we go again!!! [&:]

Wonder when the "Secular music is bad because it's worldly" people flood in. XD

Bro_Shane:
Opeth is awesome.



Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/27/2009 4:21:38 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: mapachito13

Here we go again!!! [&:]

What are you talking about? It's been a good 6 weeks since we've have this discussion. [8D]



musicboss11 -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/27/2009 5:52:25 PM)

I had the same thought: "second verse, same as the first" [8D] Has it really been 6 weeks? I thought we had a 3 week rule on this (ie: we must have this go - around every 3 weeks) [8D]



amberique -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/27/2009 8:43:01 PM)

whether or not it is "possible" depends really on your definition of what is "secular" and what is "sacred". I will assume that you are saying that "sacred"=music written and performed by Christians, and "secular"=everyone else. With that assumption, I don't think it is wrong to listen to "secular" music, however one must keep in mind that if they don't share your faith it is very likely that they will sing/live with a worldview very different from your own--therefore you must keep your eyes open to that.



freakofnature -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/27/2009 10:29:40 PM)

quote:

a lot of "Christian" music, sounds like the stuff on the radio


So then precisely what is Christian music supposed to sound like? I mean does it have a special rhythm, or require a certain amount of JPM's, and keyboards? Is it Michael W. Smith, ( I hope not) is it specifically Hillsong, Kirk Franklin? Is there a big board of directors who determine exactly what that sound is? (possibly if you ask the Word Label, they are probably it!) AHHH... it is southern gospel no???

And the saga continues... never to be answered.



rawr.ben -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/28/2009 3:14:18 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: freakofnature

quote:

a lot of "Christian" music, sounds like the stuff on the radio


So then precisely what is Christian music supposed to sound like? I mean does it have a special rhythm, or require a certain amount of JPM's, and keyboards? Is it Michael W. Smith, ( I hope not) is it specifically Hillsong, Kirk Franklin? Is there a big board of directors who determine exactly what that sound is? (possibly if you ask the Word Label, they are probably it!) AHHH... it is southern gospel no???

And the saga continues... never to be answered.


Stop singing in any key, don't use real words, instruments should all be homemade, the extensive use of barnyard animals as background vocals . . .

I think taking some of these steps will help Christian music no longer sound like secular.



PHmosh1 -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/28/2009 7:37:34 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: freakofnature

quote:

a lot of "Christian" music, sounds like the stuff on the radio


So then precisely what is Christian music supposed to sound like? I mean does it have a special rhythm, or require a certain amount of JPM's, and keyboards? Is it Michael W. Smith, ( I hope not) is it specifically Hillsong, Kirk Franklin? Is there a big board of directors who determine exactly what that sound is? (possibly if you ask the Word Label, they are probably it!) AHHH... it is southern gospel no???

And the saga continues... never to be answered.


I think I can help out here.

In observing most of the people in my church on Sundays, Christian music is whatever helps you stand there with a blank look on your face with your arms crossed. Christian music also enables you to text much faster.[8|]



uncabeeil -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/28/2009 9:34:42 AM)

It has to be in the key of G, can only have a 4-4 beat, no more than three chord changes per song, and must have mindless lyrics that can be committed to memory in 10 seconds or less.



LoveNeverDies -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/28/2009 10:14:18 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: uncabeeil

It has to be in the key of G, can only have a 4-4 beat, no more than three chord changes per song, and must have mindless lyrics that can be committed to memory in 10 seconds or less.

Le gasp! Only punk rockers are allowed to have simple songs. This can't be what God wants His children to do. We're playing songs like anarchists!

Godly music should sound all natural. Gather plenty of wood and plants, and make instruments out of that. We, as brothers and sisters in Christ, are to play instruments made of raw natural resources. Anyone who disagrees, will be deprived of yummy, homemade hamburgers.

In more serious news, a lot of the music on my iPod is Christian. I tend to prefer the 90's Christian music scene and underground Christian music over the stuff played on Christian radio stations. Most popular Christian music seems to turn me off, even if it's stuff like RED.



mapachito13 -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/29/2009 10:13:15 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tinkerbell_

quote:

ORIGINAL: mapachito13

Here we go again!!! [&:]

What are you talking about? It's been a good 6 weeks since we've have this discussion. [8D]


I have an idea! Let's start a thread on why we shouldn't have another one of these threads!

My first response was to find the last "secular music sucks" thread in one of the old pages on the forums list and link to that but alas (sniff, sniff) it was gone!



wbporter -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (4/29/2009 1:22:45 PM)

I recently got a CD of the music from Carl Sagan's Cosmos series and guess I am on a Vangelis kick right now. After listening to it and finding the music used in a few videos I just can't subscribe to the theory that if the lyrics aren't there to pound out the idea this is a religious song, it must be "secular". For example, if you heard "Entends-Tu Les Chiens Aboyer?" played at a funeral or memorial service, would it totally ruin the service or enhance it?



yustme -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (5/2/2009 2:29:23 PM)

I have quite a number of the fifties on tape,but I never listen to them,and this is why.

Every day I'm bombarded with music of all kinds,stores,restaurants,you name it.I can't even get away from rock music when I go to church.So therefore when I get In the privacy of my home or car I listen to SG.Even some of that offends the Spirit within me.

The reason why I began listening to nothing but good ole fashion Gospel music Is because I want to keep my mind focused on the things of God as much as I can.There's an old saying "garbage in garbage out".If I want to let the HS have complete control of me I must have my mind focused completly on Him.Just my opinion folks.



tafkam -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (5/2/2009 2:50:13 PM)

Listen to whatever you want to, people. The only power it has over you is the power you give it.

Me, I love the music of AC/DC.....Angus Young's guitars combined with Brian Johnson's gravelly vocal style is pure sonic paradise....of course their lyrical content is, shall we say, sophomoric, but I also have the maturity and wisdom not to allow my life or my behavior to be influenced by AC/DC's lyrical content.

Or as Dennis Miller once put it, if you are so far gone that you can be pushed over the moral edge by an AC/DC record, or anything that Gene Simmons has to say, then you had more serious issues going in.

I think more of us should stand up and take responsibility for our own actions...blaming it all on the music is the easy way out.....



PinkCarnations -> Listening to "secular" music? (5/2/2009 4:27:33 PM)

To each his (or her) own.



GuitarplayerTedFB -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (5/2/2009 6:27:54 PM)

quote:

I wonder, is listening to "secular" music even possible? I mean, let us say you listen to some country artist...the song has "clean" lyrics, but, all of the other songs by this artist are about getting drunk, etc.

Or, some secular artist you like lives an ungodly lifestyle. Should we even be listening to this person?


Well, as far as I am concerned, its up to the individual. Its a personal preferance, or personal conviction, thing in my view.

Some people have a problem listening to secular music because they feel like they start wanting to live the lifestyle being advocated in the song. Those people would probably be better off not partaking of secular music.

Other brothers and sisters, like myself, have no problem at all with it. For us its perfectly OK to listen to secular music. I love great christian CCM and Praise and Worship, but I also love lots of secular music.

As an example, I can listen to hard core country music, the kind talking about "the bottle" and getting drunk, hanging out in bars, cheating on their wives, etc etc...and it has (((zero))) negative effect on me at all. I dont have the slightest bit of an inclination to partake of any of that wickedness.

I just love listening to the wonderful steel guitar and fiddle playing, the great country style lead guitar, etc. The same with good blues and jazz, and lots of rock music.

Its not something that can be answered with a clear cut yes or no. Just depends on the person.


Hope that helps



Deleted User -> [Deleted] (5/2/2009 6:41:52 PM)

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NotDoneYet -> RE: Listening to "secular" music? (5/2/2009 6:45:50 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: tafkam

Listen to whatever you want to, people. The only power it has over you is the power you give it.

Me, I love the music of AC/DC.....Angus Young's guitars combined with Brian Johnson's gravelly vocal style is pure sonic paradise....of course their lyrical content is, shall we say, sophomoric, but I also have the maturity and wisdom not to allow my life or my behavior to be influenced by AC/DC's lyrical content.

Or as Dennis Miller once put it, if you are so far gone that you can be pushed over the moral edge by an AC/DC record, or anything that Gene Simmons has to say, then you had more serious issues going in.

I think more of us should stand up and take responsibility for our own actions...blaming it all on the music is the easy way out.....



I totally agree!!! If you are wishy-washy enough to let some 3 and a half minute song govern your actions and moral code then you have bigger issues...



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