Why?

[reformedfan]

I should probably do the same thing with a post about the hypocrisy and lack of artistic integrity in Christian music as that seems to come up alot as well.

YEEEESSSS!!!!

I'm PMing you a review I wrote of a Christian band where I dare to mnake this assertion, & read the 'fan speak' comments at the end, MY WORD! what a bunch of heathen sentiment spewing from the 'saved'

 

[MoreInSorrow]

YEEEESSSS!!!!

I'm PMing you a review I wrote of a Christian band where I dare to mnake this assertion, & read the 'fan speak' comments at the end, MY WORD! what a bunch of heathen sentiment spewing from the 'saved'

Hey reformed, hit me up with that as well. I'd love to check it out.


As for the question posed by the OP........*yawn*

 

[theFijian]

Why does secular music get so many posts and threads on Christian forums?

I think the regulars round here know what your game is. Before you go any further visit here: http://www.christianforums.com/t1232393-important-announcement-all-members-please-read.html

 

[Pnkr4Christ]

I'm sorry theFijian, we'll take it outside .

 

[reformedfan]

I'll bring the burlap bags & duct tape.

 

[Pnkr4Christ]

...Unless those are to be used on me. Then, .

 

[bgdaddy316]

It seems like an innocent question to me. I like a lot of secular music. There are things in this world that I do for pure entertainment. As long as it is not contradictory to my faith, I don't see a problem. I even take it to a song by song basis. A band may play some songs that I just won't listen to because of the lyrics, but there are other songs that are fine. Guns and Roses is an example. I also listen to a lot of christian stuff. Third Day is my favorite band ever. I hope that answers you question a little bit.

 

[12volt_man]

Why does secular music get so many posts and threads on Christian forums?

Christian music is made for teenaged girls and soccer moms.

I'm a thirty something, college educated, white male. What am I going to say about Christian music when they don't even make Christian music in a style that I like?

Christian music, by and large, is terrible. It's an inch deep and a mile wide. The vast, vast majority of the people making Christian music have been done a great disservice by people who have misled them into believing that they have talent.

I've been a musician either professionally, semi-professionally, or recreationally since I was fifteen years old. If I did some of the things that are popular in Christian music today, I've never hear the end of it.

I'd much rather hear God speak through folks like David Wilcox or Mr. and Mrs. Miller or Peter Mayer or Grey Delisle or Iris Dement. All of these folks are Christians whose music is informed by their Christianity and all of them are making outstanding music in the mainstream.

Sorry if this sounds a little harsh but, hey, you asked.

 

[12volt_man]

I think the regulars round here know what your game is. Before you go any further visit here: http://www.christianforums.com/t1232393-important-announcement-all-members-please-read.html

I don't know what the person there is referring to. If something offensive was posted, then obviously, that should be dealt with.

But, assuming that everyone can behave like grown ups, I think a discussion about the morality of music and the place of mainstream entertainment in a Christian's life, is a good thing and I wouldn't mind seeing one here.

 

[bgdaddy316]

Christian music is made for teenaged girls and soccer moms.

I'm a thirty something, college educated, white male. What am I going to say about Christian music when they don't even make Christian music in a style that I like?

Christian music, by and large, is terrible. It's an inch deep and a mile wide. The vast, vast majority of the people making Christian music have been done a great disservice by people who have misled them into believing that they have talent.

I've been a musician either professionally, semi-professionally, or recreationally since I was fifteen years old. If I did some of the things that are popular in Christian music today, I've never hear the end of it.

I'd much rather hear God speak through folks like David Wilcox or Mr. and Mrs. Miller or Peter Mayer or Grey Delisle or Iris Dement. All of these folks are Christians whose music is informed by their Christianity and all of them are making outstanding music in the mainstream.

Sorry if this sounds a little harsh but, hey, you asked.

I take some offense to that. I am 34 and college educated and listen to plenty of christian music. I respect your opinion, but think some of your statements are rediculous. There are plenty of talented people who perform christian music. Yes, some of it is cheesy, but there are folks in secular music who are short on talent too. I'd rather you say that you just don't like it, because that is what it comes down to.

 

[Pnkr4Christ]

Now, a lot of you are saying that there is no Christian music in the genre you like. There's plenty. PM me a genre and I'll find you a band or artist. Someone also said that there is no Christian jazz. Of course there is. I listen to it.

No talent in Christian music? Have you listened to gospel? Those musicians are sick. I am also a musician. I don't have as many years of experience as you, but I am pretty knowledgeable. The musicians that I hear HAVE God talent. If there isn't a Christian form of the genre you like, start one. Although there are some genres that just have a bad culture. Elder G. Craige Lewis has a DVD out called "The Truth About Hip-Hop." I suggest you watch it.

 

[12volt_man]

I take some offense to that. I am 34 and college educated and listen to plenty of christian music.

I think that's great that you've found music that you like, but I still don't like it.

There is no Christian alt.country. There is no Christian Americana. There is no Christian roots music. There is no Christian AAA. There is no Christian "trop rock". The singer-songwriters that are around in Christian music are so vapid and so self important that it's hard to take them seriously.

Where are the Lyle Lovetts of Christian music? The Nick Lowes? Where are the EmmyLou Harrises of Christian music?

Christian music simply does not have a place for those of us who have widely varied music interests and musical listening experiences to go, so we go to the mainstream.

I respect your opinion, but think some of your statements are rediculous.

That's fine. I stand by them.

There are plenty of talented people who perform christian music. Yes, some of it is cheesy, but there are folks in secular music who are short on talent too.

Yes. God knows there are plenty of untalented people in mainstream music. The difference is that there are also talented people. I don't know that this is true in Christian music today.

I'd rather you say that you just don't like it, because that is what it comes down to.

You're right. I don't like it and the reasons I don't like it, I've outlined above.

 

[12volt_man]

Now, a lot of you are saying that there is no Christian music in the genre you like. There's plenty. PM me a genre and I'll find you a band or artist.

Irish Rock. Go ahead. Find me a Christian band in the style of the Pogues. (and the Electrics broke up years ago)

Trop Rock. Find me a Christian artist in the style of Jimmy Buffett.

Texas singer-songwriter. Show me a Christian Jerry Jeff Walker or Joe Ely or the Texas Tornadoes or Guy Clark.

Americana. A Christian artist in the style of Jim Lauderdale, Buddy or Julie Miller (and, remember, her Christian music is over ten years old) or Chris Hillman.

Beach Music. A Christian group in the style of the Tams.

alt.country. Show me a Christian Robbie Fulks or Domino Kings.

Show me a Christian artist in the style of John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett, Los Lobos, The Band or the Blasters.

No talent in Christian music?

No talent in Christian music.

Have you listened to gospel? Those musicians are sick.

And this is supposed to convince me to listen to it?

If there isn't a Christian form of the genre you like, start one.

No. I'm not a Christian artist. I tried doing Christian music and it was a disaster. I was unhappy doing it. The churches who hired us didn't get it. The people who came to hear us didn't get it because, by and large, Christian music fans tend to be somewhat sheltered, musically speaking, and they'd never heard anything like this.

I also found it too restricting.

Thanks, but I've had much more success and am much more happy playing mainstream music in those evil ol' bars.

Although there are some genres that just have a bad culture. Elder G. Craige Lewis has a DVD out called "The Truth About Hip-Hop." I suggest you watch it.

Hip hop? I thought this was a music thread.

 

[antiarte]

No talent in Christian music.

Sure, most mainstream Christian music is awful, just like most of the mainstream secular music sucks. Listen to Richard Swift, Sufjan Stevens, Woven Hand, and Castanets..just to name a few. They're Christians artists, and believe or not, are original, and...can't it also be possible...talented?

 

[Pnkr4Christ]

Sure, most mainstream Christian music is awful, just like most of the mainstream secular music sucks. Listen to Richard Swift, Sufjan Stevens, Woven Hand, and Castanets..just to name a few. They're Christians artists, and believe or not, are original, and...can't it also be possible...talented?

That's what I'm saying. 12volt_man take the time to listen to us and be open to what were saying. So far all you've been doing is thinking of smart aleck replies.

 

[12volt_man]

That's what I'm saying. 12volt_man take the time to listen to us and be open to what were saying.

I've listened. I gave it a shot. It was bad so I left.

How much bad music do I have to listen to until I'm allowed to ask why I'm listening to this?

So far all you've been doing is thinking of smart aleck replies.

Really? What "smart aleck" replies? I've been pretty sincere in my responses to you.

You said to name a genre of music and you would find a Christian artist for me in that genre.

I take it this means your alternative is not forthcoming?

 

[philN]

I think the very mindset that has been presented (that there is a Christian alternative to every secular band) shows that we have different definitions of what a Christians job is within culture. You seem to be saying that it is a Christian artists job to create "christian" alternatives to secular bands and genres. I would argue that as Christians, representing the ultimate creator, it should be the job of our artists to create art and strive for innovation and originality, rather than mimic the style of "secular" artists.

Antiarte mentioned some of my favorite Christian artists in his post. Interestingly enough, all of them are good artists because they are not trying to imitate a "secular" band, but rather are striving to create something that is new -- (doubtlessly, something that other people will strive to imitate). By trying to create a Christian version of every secular artists you are doing two things: creating a sub-culture and likewise a dichotemy between Christians and the secular world, and trivializing God's gift of art by encouraging Christians to imitate rather than create.

And as I said before, this hierarchy that you are attaching to the sacred and secular is rooted far more in Platonic Greek Philosophy and Gnosticism than scripture. Some of my favorite secular musicians are Christians. To say that God is not glorified through the use of their gifts when they write secular songs is placing boundaries on God's sovereignty.

 

[Im_A]

Why does secular music get so many posts and threads on Christian forums?

because Christians like all kinds of music.

 

[The Theory]

Well, what 12volt_man is SAYING is Christian Music... but what I think he means is the CCM market. There is a difference (and I know he knows that... but for everyone else trying to interpert his posts) between Christians who make music and the CCM market.

It is true that there ARE NO GOOD CCM ARTISTS in the genres he is looking for. But there are great Christians who make music (ex. Buddy & Julie Miller) who aren't in that scene.

If you're looking for alt.country stuff, DO investigate the indie scene... there are a good number of fantastic alt.country artists to be found there, many of whom have Christian faith. and I'm sure there are of some of the other genres, too, but I'm not too into Celtic rock. (The last artist of THAT I listened to was Ballydowse... yikes!)

 

[theFijian]

because Christians like all kinds of music.

Egads! I think you've got it!!