Where do you draw the line?

[minus]

Where do you draw the line when it comes to secular entertainment?

Personally I feel that I can’t listen to music that is outright blasphemous. For example, I love Nine Inch Nails but I will always skip past the song “Heresy” because of lyrics like “God is dead and no one cares, if there is a hell I’ll see you there.” But I just don’t feel convicted that I shouldn’t be listening to music with a parental advisory sticker slapped on it.

 

[Yahweh Nissi]

I have loads of CDs with those stickers on, I certainly do not think any non-blasphemous language is intrinsically bad - it is only the subjective view of the listener that makes most language "obscene" or not. If you are not convicted then go for it - you would miss a lot of excellent music with a lot of important things to say if you avoid all music with 'bad' language.

 

[onikirimaru777]

just about every secular rock band has a "parental advisory" sticker on it. Or at least thats what ive seen anyway

 

[StandForTruth]

Where do you draw the line when it comes to secular entertainment?

Draw the line? As far as music goes, I don't. At least based on lyrics, anyway..

I am a bit uncomfortable supporting certain bands (Burzum comes to mind) because of their actions, however.

 

[growingupinhim]

I only listen to very family oriented secular music...most rock music is anti God...look at the artists, what are thier lifestyles? what are the songs saying (usually self is bein glorfied and fleshly things)...When Christ saved me my music tastses changed as well...as I am a new creature old things have past away..Canno't serve two masters!
Peace!

 

[StandForTruth]

I only listen to very family oriented secular music...most rock music is anti God...look at the artists, what are thier lifestyles? what are the songs saying (usually self is bein glorfied and fleshly things)...When Christ saved me my music tastses changed as well...as I am a new creature old things have past away..Canno't serve two masters!
Peace!

A ridiculous generalization.

Let's see. How about we look at Lukewarm Race, by Vader:

No visions anymore
But we don't ask for them
The Darkness never parts
cause we don't seek the heat

(We are) Lukewarm race
No folly in our minds
We're lukewarm race
Not much touches us

The angels in the jar
We have not seen for years
No wonder in our souls
That have so grown in fat

(we are) Lukewarm race...

We never long
We never crave
And only sometimes in the Night
We dream of path and weep
(we never have a need...)

No visions anymore
We don't ask for them
The Darkness never parts
'cause we don't seek the heat

(We are) Lukewarm race...

-----
Hmm. A secular band who would likely be insulted to be associated with Christianity, yet lyrics that would not be terribly out of place in Christian music..

I could keep pulling examples until the cows come home, but I would rather not take up the space..

 

[onikirimaru777]

"Gently, my mind escapes into the relaxing world of pleasure, a pleasure that'll take my mind off the reality of my life, my past life... life as I know it now. And whatever may come, it slowly disappears to somewhere in the back of my mind. It will remain there, until I wish to retrieve it. Yes, I will stay here for a while, for I need the break. A break from the pressures of life, and everything that lays in the palm of life's hands. This mode is incredible. It's out of this world. Too bad I must always leave it...but that's life. "

That was the lyrics to a slipknot song called "gently". I just heard it and i thought it was one of their better songs. Do any of you think those lyrics are too evil or whatever you normally think slipknot is. I dont think the lyrics are incredibly christian...but they are better then the lyrics to the "heretic antheme" . I just want to hear what you have to say about this. Sorry to spam this thread, but i didnt want to start a new thread.

 

[The Numbing Agent]

For me, I will listen to anything I where the sound is apealing. I can take language. Incubus, the Used, and Staind are ok for me...but I draw the line on anything blasphemous.

 

[wooderson]

for me i refuse to support a band that chooses to be blaspemous. tool/perfect circle being good examples. both having excellent muscians i just cant get down with lyrics like in
Judith

You're such an inspiration for the ways
That I'll never ever choose to be
Oh so many ways for me to show you
How the savior has abandoned you
F**k your God
Your Lord and your Christ
He did this
Took all you had and
Left you this way
Still you pray, you never stray
Never taste of the fruit
You never thought to question why

It's not like you killed someone
It's not like you drove a hateful spear into his side
Praise the one who left you
Broken down and paralyzed
He did it all for you
He did it all for you

Oh so many many ways for me to show you
How your dogma has abandoned you
Pray to your Christ, to your god
Never taste of the fruit
Never stray, never break
Never---choke on a lie
Even though he's the one who did this to you
You never thought to question why

Not like you killed someone
It's Not like you drove a spiteful spear into his side
Talk to Jesus Christ
As if he knows the reasons why
He did it all for you
Did it all for you
He did it all for you..

or

eulogy http://www.geocities.com/bobagadush/lyrics/aenima.html#eulogy

 

[Stryper]

when they start hating jesus in their lyrics, i skip the song

 

[Axver]

I just listen to what I like. If I start to feel uncomfortable - say, encouraging drug use or promoting homosexuality - then I'll stop listening to it. It's as simple as that. If I don't have a problem with the song or what the singer's singing, then I'll listen to it.

 

[minus]

My main problem I’m having is that as a musician who has loved old school punk, industrial, hardcore, ect. I have been unable to find any Christian music that compares to this kind of stuff in musical structure. I enjoy music that’s cutting edge, breaks boundaries, ect.. I’m always looking for cool original music and have a hard time understanding why I shouldn’t be listening to something just because the musicians involved don’t share my beliefs and may find nothing wrong with using profanity to express their anger. Just as long as they don't insult my faith.

But what about other forms of entertainment? I realize that this is a music forum but I’m kind of curious what about TV, Movies, books, videogames? What about artists? Do you find as a Christian that you need to censor yourself? This question is not limited to any one form of art. Do you censor your paintings, sculptures, music, poetry, films based on your faith, what the bible says,or because you feel convicted to do so?

NOTE: If my questions have gotten to broad for this thread to remain in this forum than I welcome the moderators to move it somewhere more appropriate. Thanks.

 

[StandForTruth]

My main problem I’m having is that as a musician who has loved old school punk, industrial, hardcore, ect. I have been unable to find any Christian music that compares to this kind of stuff in musical structure. I enjoy music that’s cutting edge, breaks boundaries, ect.. I’m always looking for cool original music and have a hard time understanding why I shouldn’t be listening to something just because the musicians involved don’t share my beliefs and may find nothing wrong with using profanity to express their anger. Just as long as they don't insult my faith.

That's the primary thing I dislike about Christian music.. it seems almost every single Christian band is basically a third rate ripoff of a far superior secular band.

But what about other forms of entertainment? I realize that this is a music forum but I’m kind of curious what about TV, Movies, books, videogames? What about artists? Do you find as a Christian that you need to censor yourself? This question is not limited to any one form of art. Do you censor your paintings, sculptures, music, poetry, films based on your faith, what the bible says,or because you feel convicted to do so?

Basically, I draw the line at blasphemy/sacrilege in art, and at pornography in films. With "pornography" being defined as something intended to arouse lust.. simple nudity I do not necessarily see as a problem, for example.

 

[beetlequeendiva]

Where do you draw the line when it comes to secular entertainment?

It depends on the song, I don't listen to Marilyn Manson for example because of what he believes and the lyrics to some of his songs. I will listen to songs with swearing in them as long as it's not excessive. I really think it is up to the person to make up their own minds about this, it depends on a person's moral standing.

 

[LITTLEDINK]

I guess as some of you have said its up to the person listening to the music... I listen to music because I like how it sounds...and they are catchy.. but may not be from a "christian" musician... If the songs have a lot of swearing and they are singing about things that are just wrong then I chose not to listen to that. I dont like Marilyn Manson and people/bands similar to that because its just not what I feel is right to be putting into your head. Minus.. your on the right track.... I understsand you like music and all types of "different" type things but if while listening you really feel its not right then dont listen any longer. And as always keep praying about it.

 

[yod]

What about artists? Do you find as a Christian that you need to censor yourself? This question is not limited to any one form of art. Do you censor your paintings, sculptures, music, poetry, films based on your faith, what the bible says,or because you feel convicted to do so?

"Censor" isn't the right word. "Filter" is a better description of how I approach songwriting now. It is filtered through the Holy Spirit.


I'm not filtering any content though. The difference is the purpose, the motivation, the reason.

When I was a pagan songs were written to bring attention to me. As a christian, I constantly fight that natural urge. Filtering what you hear is a good idea...just like filtering the foods you eat and the liquids you would ingest.

No one has the right to tell someone else what they MUST not do (in the Lord) and no christian has the right to do anything which grieves the Holy Spirit....though most the christians I know have mastered the art of self-justification and deaf ears.

 

[minus]

I only listen to very family oriented secular music...most rock music is anti God...look at the artists, what are thier lifestyles? what are the songs saying (usually self is bein glorfied and fleshly things)...When Christ saved me my music tastses changed as well...as I am a new creature old things have past away..Canno't serve two masters!
Peace!

I don't know what you mean by the statement that most rock music is anti-God. I admitted that some of it is and I do not listen to songs that are blasphemous. However I can not agree that most rock music falls under this category. Just because an artist is not living a life style that is pleasing to God does that mean that they are anti-God, it simply means that they are lost and have not found him. I don’t see the point in throwing out any of my music that is made by people who have different beliefs than I do.

I listen to music because the artists are talented and they are taking their art form into areas previously unexplored by other artists. I have yet to find any Christian artists who do this. What I have heard is stuff that simply imitates secular artists. I do not listen to music based on the lyrical content. I could care less if the artist was singing about what they ate for lunch that day just as long as the music is good.

I’ve also been pondering the statement in the above quoted post about not serving two masters. I really don’t understand how one could come to the conclusion that music is my master. It is nothing more than an art form that I greatly appreciate and enjoy. It is not my master now, nor was it before I was saved.

 

[brettnolan]

That's the primary thing I dislike about Christian music.. it seems almost every single Christian band is basically a third rate ripoff of a far superior secular band.

I'm sorry, but I think you guys are WAY off base on this one. I listen to all kinds of music, older metal one of my favorites (AC/DC, Scorpions, etc) along with newer rock (Staind, Linkin Park, Blink 182). Granted, some Christian bands are obviously playing off the current secular trends. But then again, most secular bands are also playing off current secular trends. If everything you listen to has to be COMPLETELY original, then you're leaving out a lot of great bands.

If the first thing you listen to is the Christian band, then the secular band would sound like a ripoff of them. I've been more than happy with the Christian bands that I've found suiting my musical tastes. I'm not really into the punk genre so I can't help minus. I think it's unfortunate for you that you are a musician (bear with me), because it sounds to me like you're busy analyzing the music rather than enjoying it.

Everytime someone says there is no "good" Christian music, I get the feeling that they just don't want to listen to it, because your afraid your non-Christian friends might think less of you.

 

[Mistyfogg]

I am a Christian, but I have come to the realization that some Christians are extremely judgemental. I am not one to judge a musician's lifestyle. What they do on their off time does not effect me. If I like how it sounds, I will listen to it. If the emotion of the song enraptures me, I will listen to it. I think people need to lighten up and open up their minds. Not every rock band hates God and wants to be the Devil's right hand man, that is such a lazy general assumption.

 

[Rosa Mystica]

If the lyrics are extremely blasphemous or highly sexually explicit, I don't listen to it.

I DO listen to artists who have written these kinds of songs (i.e. I listen to the clean songs by the artist in question, but not the extreme ones). My policy: if a CD has extreme lyrics (it's hard to avoid mild innuendos these days), I don't buy it. For example, I love Depeche Mode (I can identify w/ the pain they portray in their songs, as well as their poeticness). However, I will not buy their material b/c many of their albums have at least one blasphemous song on them.

Just my two cents.

Rosa