Mae...are they Christian or not??

[shama_llama]

I got The Everglow by Mae for Christmas after hearing a song of their's and really liking it. But the more I listen to the cd, I can't help but think that what they're singing about isn't God. I mean, they're on Tooth & Nail Records, but I really can't tell.

I guess I'm just confused. If anyone has an answer, could you please tell me?

 

[DifferentFree]

I'm not sure, I can't tell by their lyrics really I guess, they may be more of a 'cross-over' band.

 

[shama_llama]

What's a 'cross-over' band?

 

[DifferentFree]

Like a band that starts Christian (sometimes not) and has lyrics that can be thought of as toward a bf/gf or God. Kinda like: Jump5, Stacie Orrico, Switchfoot

 

[Qyöt27]

I really don't see why it would matter.

Tooth & Nail also isn't a strictly Christian label, they just have a long track record of signing Christian artists. I only found this out like last night, but it does make sense.

 

[AmandaT]

Tooth & Nail also isn't a strictly Christian label, they just have a long track record of signing Christian artists. I only found this out like last night, but it does make sense.

This is true. Some people think all T&N bands are Christian, but they aren't.

As far as I know Mae is not a Christian band. I think they are a band that happens to have Christian members. It's still likely that you'll find their CDs in Christian music stores due to people thinking that all T&N bands are Christian though.

 

[The Theory]

As far as I know Mae is not a Christian band. I think they are a band that happens to have Christian members.

What's the difference?

 

[GK]

Ask Evanescence.

 

[WintarNaht]

There is a radio station that I have connections with. In order to play a band, they [the band] must fit their criteria. They play Mae quite frequently but don't play The Agony Scene. Why not, aren't they on the same record label? Yes they are, but since The Agony Scene is not Christian, they are not played.

 

[active ingredients]

I realy dont see why people care. I know I don't.

 

[shama_llama]

I realy dont see why people care. I know I don't.

That's nice that you don't care. But I, on the other hand, do. I like Christian music. Music plays such a big role in my life and sometimes I feel that if I don't connect to the music I'm listening to, it's meaningless. I like my music to have a point and not just be about boyfriends/girlfriends. I hear enough of that at school and tv. When I listen to music, I want to hear something that is meaningful and gives glory to God....something you don't get often on tv or at school.

I'm not saying that I absolutely WILL NOT listen to Mae or any secular music anymore. Some of it is catchy and can fit my moods at a particular moment.

***apologizes for her long little spat***

 

[Macewindu77815]

Judging by the fact that everyone in the band thanks God in the linear notes...would lead me to believe they are Christian. I find The Everglow to be an extremely uplifting cd as well...

 

[active ingredients]

***apologizes for her long little spat***

I can understand you making your judegments based on lyrics.

I just dont see why their religeous state makes a difference...anything you would need to know about wether or not you should consider the band "edifying" are the in lyrics. Their music would still be the same if you found out they were non-christians, as they are now that you've found that they're christian. I mean either way their music is the same...so why do you care about their stance with God? haha am I making any sense? Im just honestly trying to figure out where your coming from on this.

 

[shama_llama]

I know their music would be the same...that's obvious. But I just wouldn't feel the same knowing that what they're singing about isn't God. I mean, I listen to some secular music, but I don't connect with it as well. Does it really bother you that much that I like to listen to Christian music?

And to answer your question, I care about their status with God because I am a Christian and we SHOULD care about that.

 

[active ingredients]

But I just wouldn't feel the same knowing that what they're singing about isn't God.

here is what I'm talking about. If you found out that the song "I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever" was actualy written about a love affair with a nurse written by some booser.. would you no longer be able to worship to that song regardless of how the meaning could be interperated to be refering to God? why does it matter what the song meant to the writer? shouldn't it matter how you as a listener interperate it?

Does it really bother you that much that I like to listen to Christian music?

No not at all, what you want to listen to is your business.

Im not trying to **** you off or put you down or anything...I just realy dont get it.

 

[holyrokker]

Is it the lyrics that make a band "Christian"?

Compare the lyrics of these two songs.

1) Child of the Blues

I grew up in a welfare state
Where the winters were cold
And the checks came late
With hand-medown clothes
And a hole in my heart
It seemed nothin' could fill
A child of the blues

Mamma was lonely
She left us at night
She said "You be good!"
An' locked door tight
But I couldn't sleep
For wonderin' if she would return
'Cause sometimes you lose

Mama was cryin'
When the sheriff came in
Like bein' on welfare
Is some kinda sin
All of your things
Tossed out in the street wish I knew what to do
But it ain't no use

They said that we're lazy
Ingorant poor
We get there too late
They locked up the door
The shelter is warm
But it sure ain't no home
Is this payin' your dues?
Child of the blues


2) The Cross

Black day, stormy night
No love, no hope in sight
Don't cry, He is coming
Don't die without knowing the cross
Ghettos 2 the left of us
Flowers 2 the right
There'll be bread 4 all of us
If we can just bear the cross

Sweet song of salvation
A pregnant mother sings
She lives in starvation
Her children need all that she brings

We all have our problems
Some BIG, some are small
Soon all of our problems
Will be taken by the cross

Black day, stormy night
No love, no hope in sight
Don't cry 4 He is coming
Don't die without knowing the cross

Ghettos 2 the left of us
Flowers 2 the right
There'll be bread 4 all, y'all
If we can just, just bear the cross, yeah

We all have our problems
Some are BIG, some are small
Soon all of our problems, y'all
Will be taken by the cross

The cross

The cross

#1 is by Resurrection Band - a very solid, evangelical Christian band
#2 is by Prince

 

[white_frog914]

In case someone hasn't mentioned this:

Listen to the song 'Tisbury Lane' by Mae. I'm pretty sure it's still on their PureVolume site.

Then make your own decisions.

 

[holyrokker]

here is what I'm talking about. If you found out that the song "I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever" was actualy written about a love affair with a nurse written by some booser.. would you no longer be able to worship to that song regardless of how the meaning could be interperated to be refering to God? why does it matter what the song meant to the writer? shouldn't it matter how you as a listener interperate it?

That song will spoil a worship service for me. YUCK!

You know - it would probably mean more to me if it were about a love affair with a nurse written by a boozer.

 

[GK]

One of my favorite albums is sung by a secular artist. He's not consciously singing about God, and yet it's so clear to me that the whatever-it-is he's searching for is God. I think what makes the album so great is that he's honest in his search and honest in his music. That's all I can ask for.

What bugs me is when an artist pretends something s/he isn't, in order to sell.

 

[AmandaT]

What's the difference?

I see a Christian band as a band that has a music ministry. Whereas I see a band of Christians as a group (that just happens to consist of Christian members) making music. They're just out there to make music, not to use their music as a tool to bring people to Christ. It's very possible that they would witness to people on their own as they are Christians, but they don't intend their music to be used to witness.