Secular music limit?

[ivebeenshown]

I prefer to not listen to music like a lot of rap or metal which talks about things I detest like killing, whoring, worship of demons, etc.

But at the same time I appreciate the overall sound itself of said music. I happen to like a lot of music that deals with issues such as apathy, depression, gloom, drug use/abuse, dark and sad and so on and so forth. That is because I feel I can relate to that music. Even then, there's bands that have songs about those I won't listen to.

I seldom listen to 'praise/worship' music. But I do praise/worship.

 

[GarrettC]

I don't listen to anything with an "explicit" label. Sometimes I get surprised anyway, because I buy most of my music on iTunes.

 

[Fangtastic]

I have no limits..Everything.

 

[silence_dogood]

This is for Christians only. Many Christians have personal restrictions on how much non-Christian music they take in. What is your limit?

There are three categories of music I will not listen to:
1) Music that is obviously profane. I will not listen to anything with profanity or "musical pornography" as my former youth pastor calls it.
Examples: Anything with an explicit sticker on it.
2) Music that is not obviously profane, but promotes sinful behavior.
Examples: Walk this Way (Aerosmith); Last Resort (Papa Roach); Breaking the Law (Judas Priest)
3) Music that promotes a philosophical or political position I disagree with.
Example: Freewill (Rush) [because I'm a Calvinist]

This would leave me at option 3.

I try not to listen to music that glorifies sin, encourages me to sin, or by listening to it will cause a weaker brother to stumble.

The good news is that, through the miracle of technology, you now have a much greater hand in editing what you listen to.

For instance, there's one artist I like a lot, who has a song that I can't listen to called WDWGDAS (in case you're wondering, many of his song titles are rather long and are usually just abreviated by his fans such as WATPOPWUA or CILCIA or TWAIK or TTRWHS, etc...besides, this one happens to have a word in the title I'd prefer not to use here...we usually see this artist live about two or three times a year and whenever he plays WDWGDAS, that's when I get up to go to the bathroom and to go grab a coke). But I can still enjoy the rest of the album because I can just delete that one song.

 

[Azureknight 773]

Aw man! Can I choose options 2 and 3 as a whole? I don't think option 4 can be considered for a sinning song writer can be redeemed by God's Mugen no Ai *slaps fingers for typing in romaji Japanese*(I mean Infinite Love). Now I think I go with those options for I definitely do love music but not those that burns the soul.

 

[KingCrimson250]

I gotta say, I completely disagree with the OP's third point. I don't think I would ever avoid listening to music because of a philosophical disagreement, especially on a point as vague as free will vs determinism. In my opinion that's just boxing yourself into one particular worldview and refusing to expose yourself to alternative standpoints.

I'm saying that in general, if the OP could forgive me if he is himself quite learned on the subject through non-musical sources.

I'll generally listen to just about anything. If a song is anti-God, then I listen to it and ask "Well, why is this song anti-God? What's the writer's beef with Him?" It can be quite enlightening.

I find lyrics without intelligence more objectionable than anything. I'd rather listen to a song with a highly atheistic that says interesting things than the pseudo-intellectual drivel that passes off as lyrics in most Christian bands, which in my experience usually just seem to be smarmy, "make-you-think" lyrics that are about as subtle and thought-provoking as a drunk Freddy Krueger. If there's one thing I hate, it's being beat over the head by a band trying to tell me that there's more to life than the material world, and that even girls who feel completely unloved still have hope, and I agree with what they're saying!

 

[moerunamida]

I listen to everything, but a select few artists. I agree with what others said, it is usually about the sound of someone's voice...or the beat for me. I often times do not hear the lyrics until I actually look them up. A song is not going to cause me to sin more than I already am, and I will not listen to a song or an artist that makes me think bad thoughts about Christ. If anything, the songs that are more liberal in their lyrics actually bring me closer to Him. (Can't explain it, but it just causes me to focus on God everytime I hear something negative). I don't listen to rap or r&b, because I do not care for the lyrics, the beat, or in general the music.

 

[DMMullinax]

I would draw the line at music that is just rampant with profanity. I'd say I steer away from most music that even has a couple of curse words. There's just so many words that could be used in place, and it just seems to degrade the music in my opinion. The english language is filled with more expressive, powerful words, and when I see too much profanity it screams 'weak songwriter.' But a lot of the music I listen to is instrumental anyways, so I don't run into that problem all too often

 

[Peripatetic]

One fascinating thing about secular music is that God can still use it to do his work. I have always been passionate about music. When I was in high school in the 80s, I was a big fan of "classic rock" (ie. late 60s and 70s). Most of the songs on the radio were pretty much imprinted on my brain.

In general, I did not enjoy high school. One of the reasons was my poor excuse for a dating life. I didn't have even one legitimate relationship in HS, and there were times when I got pretty depressed about it. One day the chorus to the Led Zeppelin song "Your Time is Gonna Come" came in to my head... more like smacked me in the head... and I had a strong sensation that it came from God - as a message to be patient. From that point on, I had a sort of inner peace about it. When I'd start to feel sorry for myself... yep, there it was again. It was like my own private refrain... your time is gonna come. Sure enough, I had two different serious relationships in college, and one of them is still my bride to this day.

Of all the songs though! Led Zeppelin was not exactly the most wholesome band to begin with, and guitarist Jimmy Page is said to be fascinated by the occult. Add to that, the lyrics of this particular song are actually quite negative and hint at revenge... you can see how unlikely it would seem. Yet I've never had an experience like that before or since when it comes to a song. I can't explain it, but I just knew it was the Holy Spirit making that connection in my head. I'm sure I'm not the only one either... who knows what instruments God may use?

 

[Chris81]

I listen to a lot of secular music and my only restriction are based on my own taste. I do not like music that has an explicit label and I find the use of profanity in music distasteful. I think like many people on this forum, do not like music that has any sort of nasty anti-christian message, and I typically will read the lyrics of album before I buy it. That said I am still able to find plenty of secular metal bands that meet my tastes.

 

[AdamKane]

Secular music is pretty much all I listen to.

 

[GarrettC]

I fall more under option #3. If a song is REALLY heavy with profanity, then I avoid it, but since that normally occurs in rap/metal/heavy metal/etc., all of which I despise, I very rarely come across songs like that.

 

[Skavau]

Garrett:

YouTube - Keldian - The Last Frontier

 

[Skilletdude]

Yeah there is plenty of Metal that don't have any swear words. In fact my entire music collection is mostly metal bands and only a few have any swear words and then those that do are only every once in a while. And not usually in an offensive way... As in... a lady Gaga song is more offensive even though she uses no swear words. I don't even worry about getting music loaded with swear words cause it just never happens.

But since he despises metal, I don't expect him to know that or really care. No one who doesn't already listen to metal doesn't seem to know this but it doesn't really matter since they don't like it anyway and I don't really care (although, I have to wonder... they probably haven't heard enough to really tell if they think it's loaded with swear words )

And BTW... that song was pretty awesome... I'll have to get some of their stuff. I've been craving that Euro Power Metal flavor lately.

 

[theb4ssm4ncometh]

there is a diff between listening to and ingesting music. I listen to secular music, the same way I listen to secular people if they talk to me. I dont just ingest their ideas, I respect and debate them.

You cant hide from sin. run from it, and keep runing. Dont act like itll leave if you stop listening to "evil" music

 

[Mr_Sun]

Music with anti Christian/blasphemes lyrics.

I second this.

I found out that recently I like Christian music much better than any other genre. Its new for me too. lol I don't LIMIT it. I will listen to something if somebody sends it to me just for the sake of having an argument against it later if anything.

 

[So Bad]

I'm a lover of music, so i'm open to all sorts of different music. I love many different kinds of music, and unfortunately a lot of what I do listen to does contain profanity/profane themes. Hey, i'm human lol.

 

[OneOfTheMany]

I think that Christians (and all spirit minded people) tend to appreciate music with more harmonic depth, melodic righteousness, and emotive musicianship.

At this point, I don't think it matters if the musicians wear their religion on their sleeve, or have any structured religious affiliation whatsoever.

This reasoning can go beyond music and apply to life in general.

 

[Steffenfield]

You're kidding, right?

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

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

 

[Lord Give Me A Sign]

I listen to some of the hardest rappers like dmx and the lox but i cant mess with anything thats directly satanic