Secular music limit?

[HarborOrange]

I generally only listen to secular music, but generally, the artists I listen to write really deep lyrics, and refer to G-d a lot. (Jesus by Brand New.) I prefer secular music, because it lets me see the way people that do not entirely have faith in YHWH see, in a sense. I just find it deeper, and more interesting. I listen to a lot of post-rock though, which lacks lyrics... So, I dunno what that's categorized as. I'd not say it's secular, or Christian, I guess. Haha.

 

[kittycat7]

You're kidding, right?

I'm the only one who voted for hymns only?

Dear Lord, I now feel like such a freak. *lol*

this is the secular music section lol

 

[Steffenfield]

this is the secular music section lol

Doh!

Stupid brain.

Sorry, I'm somewhat new around here and I'm still trying to find my way around this place.

My bad.

 

[RuthD]

I like some of everything.

 

[HawaiianTropicalDude]

I listen to U2 mainly. I stay away from profanity in my tunes.

 

[The Fourth Horseman]

I've already hit the limit because I've listened to At the Left Hand of God by Behemoth, which is probably the most sacrilegious song/video I've ever seen. And I liked it.

 

[pitseleh]

Anything that blasphemes God (or The Trinity in general) everything else is fair game. I don't like hardcore rap or metal though.

 

[HarborOrange]

Wow, my musical taste has changed worlds since I last posted on this thread nearly two years ago...
Well, I rarely listen to Brand New anymore. I have since delved into the avant-garde/neoclassical/drone/ambient/neofolk/black metal vein- which is pretty much all very obscure. A great deal of what I listen to is completely secular, rarely is G-d even mentioned. However, at the same time, most of what I listen to is heavily reliant upon instrumentation over lyrics. Therefore, it is neither secular or Christian, it is merely good music. Black metal and Neofolk, however, tend to be somewhat Pagan in their references from time to time. Though I am not necessarily okay with that, I do find that area of life in general very interesting, due to how ancient and involved it all is. Plus, I enjoy learning more about other viewpoints, so I don't mind so much. As long as the music isn't worshiping another deity, I'm generally okay with it. I'd prefer secular music over Christian music anyway, it's far deeper; if you search in the right places. Mainstream music absolutely sucks, and it is a disgrace to the word music. However, underground music is absolutely wonderful, existing in a state filled with deep and magnificent undertones. Oh, I can't even express it.

 

[MacFall]

I agree that secular music tends to be "deeper" than Christian music - but that's because "Christian music" is just another genre of pop music, these days. Many people tend to accept anything that mentions Jesus in a positive light without any regard to the artistic quality of the music. However, just as in secular music, there are many artists in the underground who are Christian and put Christian themes into their music and are not much influenced by the "quantity over quality" philosophy of the mainstream.

 

[SparkyMaddie]

no limits..everything

 

[Ice Queen]

Anything that makes me uncomfortable is a no-no. I am open minded in music, but I still have limits.

 

[ColoradoGrrrl21]

I'm not super strict about no profanity or promotion of sin - but I avoid it when possible. I like to listen to a lot of oldies, singer-songwriters, country, folk and indie stuff - but even sometimes hard rock and hip-hop if I'm in the mood. I actually don't listen to much "Christian" stuff, be it CCM or whatever, because the quality of the lyrics and/or music is often so much lower than the secular stuff - I don't like bubble gum pop whether it's the vapid pleasure-seeking secular kind or the vapid shallow Christian kind. When I do listen to "Christian" music it's more likely to be a folk-style or accoustic cover of a hymn than anything contemporary.

 

[NamelessHero]

I'll listen to anything that I enjoy.

 

[Ada Lovelace]

I gravitate towards music that resonates as being authentic and is enjoyable. Several songs that feel very true to me, that express sentiments I've felt but have never said, or that convey someone else's experiences in an honest way, have some words deemed profane. Those don't bother me because there's a purpose to using them; they carry more emotional weight than an ordinary word. But songs that are littered with profanity just to to be profane are obnoxious to me. I took a SoulCycle (spinning class) the other day that used the song "F**ckin Problems" by Drake and A$AP, and it felt like the sound equivalent of someone spitting in my face. It was just so crass and offensive. I wasn't the only person who was bothered by it, so the instructor apologized and promised to never use it again. Some of Lana Del Rey's songs push the buttons a few two many times, too, but overall I like her.

I rarely listen to Christian music because so much of it just doesn't feel genuine to me; it often feels manufactured. I love listening to Christian music at church, but that's different because no money is being exchanged. Two popular bands here in LA used to play for my church and they have told me about their experiences dealing with Christian record labels. They said it's just a business strategy essentially, to make all music tailored to be marketed towards a set audience.

 

[Lik3]

While I find a lot of secular music sometimes intolerable due to a lot of cursing and blasphemy, there are a couple of songs I listen to listen to from Tupac and maybe Snoop Dogg in his early days.

 

[dms1972]

I listen / have listened to nearly everything (but before the explicit label was introduced - a few times the f-bomb slipped in) usually if its just one song it would not bother me, but its the musical style mostly that either appeals or deters me - It takes me a lot of listening to come to appreciate chain-saw guitars. Drugs related lyrics, or very nihilistic stuff I can't listen too. I am looking for something to uplift me. I listen to music for enjoyment.

Everyone has some ongoing sin problems it seems to me.

I wouldn't rule out totally listening to something with a explicit label - because I like to try and see what the overall song is about sometimes (if I can "get it"). And it might be one day some christian CD gets branded with explicit label (hopefully not though)

Some songs are explicit but not advocating anything: Take a song like Heavy Fuel by Dire Straights - if i am not mistaken this song is a character portrait of someone with a couldn't-care-less lifestyle. Not an advocation of drugs, violence, suicide etc.

 

[If Not For Grace]

I will give anything a listen, but that does not mean I like it and that is true in any genre. Just because a song is gospel does not make it palatable in my book. I like upbeat happy songs best although the occasional tear jerking ballad is ok as well. I like the Blues, Rock & Roll and some country, even the show tunes or easy listening, bluegrass or zen stuff is ok. I am not a fan of grunge, punk or liquid audio nor heavy rap.

 

[contango]

Taking the question from a spiritual perspective, I'll listen to anything that doesn't leave me feeling "I shouldn't be listening to this".

When I became a Christian my Morbid Angel and Venom CDs had a nasty accident because I just couldn't reconcile them with my new faith. A lot of metal might seem very nasty on the surface but a look at the words indicates the point they are really trying to make. Even a band like Slayer, who flirt with more unpleasant imagery than I'm entirely comfortable with, make some valid points in their songs, for example their song "Read Between The Lies" is a full-on blast at the televangelists who grow rich on the back of donations given by people who really can't afford to give.

ETA: Given I don't take my theology from songs, even if they are hymns or otherwise "worship music", I don't see music as being a grave threat the way some do.

From a secular perspective there's a lot I don't listen to because I think it's garbage. Most of what passes as "pop music" these days falls into that category.

 

[MissRowy]

I like that option....because I won't listen to anything that blasphemes our Lord and Saviour. My music tastes have changed alot to the point where I listen to a lot more Christian music than I used to because I like it!
And I do agree with Phillipians 4.8 because we should focus on Godly and pure things.

 

[Bananagator]

I listen to anything, really. I have my limits but for the most part lyrics don't bother me. I don't like songs that are openly blasphemous but as far as profanity goes, I'm okay unless it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I've never felt like my faith has been threatened by any type of music so I'm pretty lax about it.