Popular Music is inappropriate contentographic Music

Mark Corbett

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Not all twelve of the most popular songs a month ago encouraged sexual immorality of some type. Only eleven of them did. Of those, at least three were so graphic and explicit that they truly deserve to be called inappropriate contentographic music.

How do I know this? I have not listened to those songs and don’t want to! A friend posted an article by a leader in Christian youth ministry. That article seeks to warn parents and others who may not be aware of just how bad the stuff is that young people are listening to. Warning: although I think the article is needed and helpful, in order to show how bad the situation is, the author included examples of the disgusting lyrics.

This massive flood of sexually immoral and inappropriate contentographic music reinforces the evil influences of instantly available inappropriate contentography, popular nearly-inappropriate contentographic MA TV shows, and a culture which accepts and celebrates many perversions of sex.

All of this deeply grieves my soul, especially when I think of my daughter’s generation (she’s 19). Many of them have been exposed to massive quantities of sexual temptation along with philosophies and worldviews which encourage them to indulge.

As I was walking and prayerfully thinking about these things this morning, an image came to my mind:

I imagined something like the worst flooding from Harvey, but even worse. The flood waters represent the flood of sexual immorality inundating the world our youth and young adults live in. Many of them are already drowning in those dark, muddy, polluted waters. Others are treading water or hanging on desperately to a log. Some are huddled on roof tops, temporarily safe but needing rescue from the ever rising threat. And a few are in rescue rafts and helicopters, seeking to pull their friends out of the muck. But the rescuers are so few compared to the multitudes in danger.

Things We Can Do

It appears to me that this battle is most intense among our youth and young adults. Those of us who are older need to do all we can to support, encourage, equip, strengthen, and provide safe havens for those young people who have a strong walk with Christ and who are serving as “rescuers” for their generation.

We need to set excellent examples of moral purity. If you’re lamenting the terrible lyrics in popular music while you are watching sexually explicit R rated movies and MA rated TV shows, they will spot your hypocrisy faster than their i-gadgets can download a song. (For more about watching TV, read here.)

We should get serious about intercessory prayer. We should follow the example of Moses. As long as Moses was holding up his hands in prayer, Joshua was winning the battle (see Exodus 17:11). This type of prayer goes way beyond a blessing at a meal or a 5 minute prayer time. We need to get serious about prayer because our young people are in a serious spiritual battle.

This battle is not primarily about what people should say “no” to. Saying “no” to evil music is important, but that’s not the deepest issue. The deepest issue is leading people to know God. It is people who do not know God who are so vulnerable to sexual immorality:

NIV 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God;

When people don’t know God, they seek substitutes for His love in all the wrong places.

We don’t want to simply tell people “don’t listen to music with immoral lyrics”, even though that is good advice. We want to introduce them to music which praises Jesus and lifts up our souls and fills our minds with the truths that set us free.

I close with prayer (please actually pray this, or something similar in your own words):

God, have mercy on us. Please rescue our young adults and youth who are caught in a terrible flood of immorality. Strengthen, protect, and empower those who already know You to reach their friends for Christ. Rescue many out of this flood and help them to find your true love which satisfies much more deeply than the devil’s deadly alternatives. Let the Name of Jesus be lifted up and let the younger generations (and some older folks, too) come streaming to Christ for Your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.

This was originally a post on my blog.
 

Bluerose31

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Not all twelve of the most popular songs a month ago encouraged sexual immorality of some type. Only eleven of them did. Of those, at least three were so graphic and explicit that they truly deserve to be called inappropriate contentographic music.

How do I know this? I have not listened to those songs and don’t want to! A friend posted an article by a leader in Christian youth ministry. That article seeks to warn parents and others who may not be aware of just how bad the stuff is that young people are listening to. Warning: although I think the article is needed and helpful, in order to show how bad the situation is, the author included examples of the disgusting lyrics.

This massive flood of sexually immoral and inappropriate contentographic music reinforces the evil influences of instantly available inappropriate contentography, popular nearly-inappropriate contentographic MA TV shows, and a culture which accepts and celebrates many perversions of sex.

All of this deeply grieves my soul, especially when I think of my daughter’s generation (she’s 19). Many of them have been exposed to massive quantities of sexual temptation along with philosophies and worldviews which encourage them to indulge.

As I was walking and prayerfully thinking about these things this morning, an image came to my mind:

I imagined something like the worst flooding from Harvey, but even worse. The flood waters represent the flood of sexual immorality inundating the world our youth and young adults live in. Many of them are already drowning in those dark, muddy, polluted waters. Others are treading water or hanging on desperately to a log. Some are huddled on roof tops, temporarily safe but needing rescue from the ever rising threat. And a few are in rescue rafts and helicopters, seeking to pull their friends out of the muck. But the rescuers are so few compared to the multitudes in danger.

Things We Can Do

It appears to me that this battle is most intense among our youth and young adults. Those of us who are older need to do all we can to support, encourage, equip, strengthen, and provide safe havens for those young people who have a strong walk with Christ and who are serving as “rescuers” for their generation.

We need to set excellent examples of moral purity. If you’re lamenting the terrible lyrics in popular music while you are watching sexually explicit R rated movies and MA rated TV shows, they will spot your hypocrisy faster than their i-gadgets can download a song. (For more about watching TV, read here.)

We should get serious about intercessory prayer. We should follow the example of Moses. As long as Moses was holding up his hands in prayer, Joshua was winning the battle (see Exodus 17:11). This type of prayer goes way beyond a blessing at a meal or a 5 minute prayer time. We need to get serious about prayer because our young people are in a serious spiritual battle.

This battle is not primarily about what people should say “no” to. Saying “no” to evil music is important, but that’s not the deepest issue. The deepest issue is leading people to know God. It is people who do not know God who are so vulnerable to sexual immorality:

NIV 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God;

When people don’t know God, they seek substitutes for His love in all the wrong places.

We don’t want to simply tell people “don’t listen to music with immoral lyrics”, even though that is good advice. We want to introduce them to music which praises Jesus and lifts up our souls and fills our minds with the truths that set us free.

I close with prayer (please actually pray this, or something similar in your own words):

God, have mercy on us. Please rescue our young adults and youth who are caught in a terrible flood of immorality. Strengthen, protect, and empower those who already know You to reach their friends for Christ. Rescue many out of this flood and help them to find your true love which satisfies much more deeply than the devil’s deadly alternatives. Let the Name of Jesus be lifted up and let the younger generations (and some older folks, too) come streaming to Christ for Your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.

This was originally a post on my blog.
This is a great post. There are many songs that are sexually explicit on the radio today. I have had to alter my songs to listen to songs that glorify God more.
 
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SkyWriting

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Not all twelve of the most popular songs a month ago encouraged sexual immorality of some type. Only eleven of them did. Of those, at least three were so graphic and explicit that they truly deserve to be called inappropriate contentographic music.How do I know this? I have not listened to those songs and don’t want to!

I highly suggest I Heart Radio. It builds a song list based on the song you suggest.
If you don't suggest filth, you don't get any of it.
https://www.iheart.com
 
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Mark Corbett

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I highly suggest I Heart Radio. It builds a song list based on the song you suggest.
If you don't suggest filth, you don't get any of it.
https://www.iheart.com

Thanks for sharing that. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like it could be a good way to choose good music to listen to.
 
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SkyWriting

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Thanks for sharing that. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like it could be a good way to choose good music to listen to.

Also, the top hit format is not common. Usually only a couple
radio stations in one market use top hits. The rest of stations
all have smaller niches in a wide range of country, jazz,
classical, and talk.

Any hip-hop or rap, and I change the station.
 
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Audacious

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I don't take these kinds of songs seriously and I don't think anyone else really does, either. Nobody takes random, catchy music as a moral guide.

I've been listening to Ke$ha lately and I don't think it's effected any of my views. Maybe all the Lecrae just balances it out? Lol.

(Hint: Lecrae isn't balancing out anything)
 
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Armoured

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I don't take these kinds of songs seriously and I don't think anyone else really does, either. Nobody takes random, catchy music as a moral guide.

I've been listening to Ke$ha lately and I don't think it's effected any of my views. Maybe all the Lecrae just balances it out? Lol.

(Hint: Lecrae isn't balancing out anything)
There have ALWAYS been similar complaints about new music.
 
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This is from 1816:

"The indecent foreign dance called the Waltz was introduced ... at the English Court on Friday last ... It is quite sufficient to cast one's eyes on the voluptuous intertwining of the limbs, and close compressure of the bodies ... to see that it is far indeed removed from the modest reserve which has hitherto been considered distinctive of English females...[Now that it is] forced on the respectable classes of society by the evil example of their superiors, we feel it a duty to warn every parent against exposing his daughter to so fatal a contagion."
 
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Tayla

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This is a great post. There are many songs that are sexually explicit on the radio today. I have had to alter my songs to listen to songs that glorify God more.
It's not just songs that are unwholesome. My guideline is to avoid adding anything into my soul that is a mortal sin. This includes: books, news, ads anywhere and everywhere, TV, movies, billboards, people talking (even Christians, and sermons). I make exceptions for the study of history and psychology, and, of course, the Beatles. Oh..., and the Bible.
 
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Armoured

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This is from 1816:

"The indecent foreign dance called the Waltz was introduced ... at the English Court on Friday last ... It is quite sufficient to cast one's eyes on the voluptuous intertwining of the limbs, and close compressure of the bodies ... to see that it is far indeed removed from the modest reserve which has hitherto been considered distinctive of English females...[Now that it is] forced on the respectable classes of society by the evil example of their superiors, we feel it a duty to warn every parent against exposing his daughter to so fatal a contagion."
And when The Rite Of Spring was first performed, it triggered a riot.
 
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This is from 1816:

"The indecent foreign dance called the Waltz was introduced ... at the English Court on Friday last ... It is quite sufficient to cast one's eyes on the voluptuous intertwining of the limbs, and close compressure of the bodies ... to see that it is far indeed removed from the modest reserve which has hitherto been considered distinctive of English females...[Now that it is] forced on the respectable classes of society by the evil example of their superiors, we feel it a duty to warn every parent against exposing his daughter to so fatal a contagion."

And the slippery slope began
 
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Mark Corbett

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Good Thoughts 1.jpg
 
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Bluerose31

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It's not just songs that are unwholesome. My guideline is to avoid adding anything into my soul that is a mortal sin. This includes: books, news, ads anywhere and everywhere, TV, movies, billboards, people talking (even Christians, and sermons). I make exceptions for the study of history and psychology, and, of course, the Beatles. Oh..., and the Bible.
Yes, I try to remove anything that is sinful as well. It is not easy to do this but worthwhile.
 
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Phil 1:21

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How do I know this? I have not listened to those songs and don’t want to! A friend posted an article by a leader in Christian youth ministry. That article seeks to warn parents and others who may not be aware of just how bad the stuff is that young people are listening to.
The article may be very well be correct, but I learned a very long time ago to not take “moderns music is evil” as the Gospel truth. I remember growing up listening to religious leaders (and some senators’ wives) quote music lyrics as proof of their evil intent, when in fact those songs preached the exact opposite. Obviously, I’m not saying that is the case here. But I generally find it a good idea to read the entire lyrics of the song for myself before deciding.

Remember too that those who grew up in the Victorian era thought jazz was the devil's music. Their kids then grew up and were horrified when their children fell in love with the Rat Pack. But that wasn't half as bad as the next generation's infatuation with Elvis' gyrating hips and young girls becoming incontinent in the grips of Beatlemania. Another generation came of age and it was hard rock heavy metal that would usher in the apocalypse. We somehow survived that and are now faced with an even larger foe in pop/hip hop music.

This too shall pass.
 
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Mark Corbett

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Remember too that those who grew up in the Victorian era thought jazz was the devil's music.

It is not the style of the music which concerns me. It is the content.

And yes, music with immoral content is not anything new. But that does not make it ok. And it does seem to me the level of explicit, really inappropriate contentographic, content in very popular songs has increased. Does this not concern you? Does your heart not ache for the young people who are absorbing this stuff? Do you think it will have no consequences?
 
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Phil 1:21

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It is not the style of the music which concerns me. It is the content.

And yes, music with immoral content is not anything new. But that does not make it ok. And it does seem to me the level of explicit, really inappropriate contentographic, content in very popular songs has increased. Does this not concern you? Does your heart not ache for the young people who are absorbing this stuff? Do you think it will have no consequences?

My point was twofold. 1) Before we condemn a particular song as evil we should actually familiarize ourselves with that song, not just trust someone else's opinion of it. 2) Every generation seems to think the next is worse that they were and society will someone fall as a result (a bit of a hyperbole, perhaps).
 
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mnphysicist

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It is not the style of the music which concerns me. It is the content.

And yes, music with immoral content is not anything new. But that does not make it ok. And it does seem to me the level of explicit, really inappropriate contentographic, content in very popular songs has increased. Does this not concern you? Does your heart not ache for the young people who are absorbing this stuff? Do you think it will have no consequences?

I started playing bass in a cover band back in the late 70's. I never paid much attention to lyrics, until one of the singers said no to doing My Sharona. I was going huh, that really gets the dance crowd wound up, whats the deal. She said, you go transcribe the lyrics, as I'm not going to say... a couple days later, I was like whoa... so we never did it. I took a listen to those 12 tunes, and despite being an old dude, I've heard most of them on the radio in my truck. Alas, just like My Sharona nearly 40 yrs ago, I had no idea as to what the words were.

The thing is, to sell records in volume, you have to deliver what the audience wants. In the case of Christian music, one has to target 30 something soccer moms. In the case of pop music, you need to target teens/young adults who possess enough disposable income to spendy concert tickets and merch. As such, popular music in general is not so much a driver of culture as it is a reflection back as to what the culture of the target audience really is.

This is not to say music can't drive culture, as historically, bad theology was often propagated by errant hymns in addition to false teachers... but in the case of massive sales of pop music, I think there are merely responding to the forces of the free market.
 
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Audacious

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It is not the style of the music which concerns me. It is the content.

And yes, music with immoral content is not anything new. But that does not make it ok. And it does seem to me the level of explicit, really inappropriate contentographic, content in very popular songs has increased. Does this not concern you? Does your heart not ache for the young people who are absorbing this stuff? Do you think it will have no consequences?
It's kind of like people being worried because video games are violent. I don't think songs being sexual is going to influence anyone much at all.

People don't tend to base their actions, thoughts or ideas off of random songs; they listen to substanceless stuff because it's catchy and fun, not because it's deep or serious. I've been listening to Ke$ha lately because she is super catchy, and her songs such as Take It Off and Booty Call haven't done anything to change any of my opinions on sex or anything else.

It's kinda like how nobody listened to 90s rap music (full of promotions of gang violence and drug dealing) and decided to go shoot someone.
 
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