A dilemma about my favorite singer

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Hello everyone. I am wondering if anyone can address a dilemma regarding adhering to the Faith and my favorite singer, Janelle Monae. For anyone unfamiliar, she is a R&B/ Pop singer. You can find her anywhere online. On it, you will find links to her three new songs. Since their release, the question has come to my mind as a Catholic that tries to live out the faith if it is morally acceptable to listen to her as she is accepting of sexuality that doesn’t fully coincide with the Church. Over the years, she has alluded to this in interviews whe she talks about the theme of the android in her music as representative as a way of talking about the other, including LGBTQ people. It’s also alluded to In the lyrics of a couple of songs. Also, in one of her latest videos, there is imagery that suggests a sexual attraction to both men and women. The new songs also include some curse words. The reason she is my favorite singer, though, is her overall message of positivity, unity and humanizing those who are marginalized. If you have an answer to my dilemma or can point to a resource that can help, I would be more than grateful. Also, for anyone who checks out her video or music and scandalized in order to respond to this, please forgive me if you are scandalized.
 
Yes it’s fine to listen to her and buy her music.

One would have to totally withdraw and not listen to any modern music whatsoever if you couldn’t listen to or buy music from people who support certain sinful things.

The Church places no such undue burden on Christians.
 
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music is just music. you can listen to your favorite musician and disagree with their lyrics and that doesn’t mean you support what the musician is saying just because you enjoy the music.

it’s like i can appreciate the illiad without being a polytheist
 
Exactly, great analogy.

You can enjoy a movie about a psychotic serial killer without supporting psychotic serial killers.
 
Assuming you are much younger than I. As a young adult growing up on the 60’s and 70’s, there were all kinds of music that did anything from cite to almost worship behavior antithetical to the church and her teachings. Listen to some old Beatles, Doors, Rolling Stones, and a lot of the soul music of the sixties. Barry White was unrepentant, there were adultery songs like “Me and Mrs. Jones”, “It’s sad to belong to someone else when the right one comes along” and many more. In fact, Marvin Gaye was one of the most popular and played artist on radio, and his song, “Sexual Healing” was incredibly popular. I along with most of good friends who are still faithfully Catholic not only listened to them, but danced to them. We didn’t all leave the faith and become hedonists.
Enjoy the music you love. One priest who is often cited on here summarized a novel called “The Shack” by saying, “reading it is like eating watermelon, enjoy it, just spit out the seeds.” Goes for music too.
 
Except that Homer isn’t going to make money off you, and assume that he is spreading his polytheistic message.
 
Indeed the young people of the 60s and 70s are known for their holiness…🤣
 
Loud-living-dogma said:
Indeed the young people of the 60s and 70s are known for their holiness…🤣
Click to expand...
Hey, I resemble that 🤣 Actually, I have so many friends I grew up with who lead rosary groups, are EMHC’s, teach CCD, and serve in various other capacities, and if you had known them (us) in our youth you be dumbfounded to say the least.
 
If you stop buying every product made by every person who is “accepting of sexuality that doesn’t fully coincide with the Church” then that’s going to rule out almost all music, art, books and a whole lot of other things. If you want to live your life that way fine, but most of us who are past the age of 15 can enjoy a song, film, book, work of art etc. without rushing out to live like the person who made it or condone their lifestyle. The only time you’d need to worry is if listening or looking at any of these things creates a near occasion of sin for you, such as making you want to go out and fornicate. If it doesn’t affect you that way then I myself would not worry about it.

I like some of Roman Polanski’s movies - doesn’t mean I condone statutory rape with underage girls.

I like some of the Rolling Stones’ songs - doesn’t mean I condone drug abuse, multiple affairs with groupies or the 47-year-old bass player having an affair with a 13-year-old.

Whether or not you spend money on this stuff and thus contribute to the financial support of the artist, especially since music is generally available to listen to free and legal (such as on the radio or on Vevo, etc. ) is up to you since you could conceivably enjoy the person’s music without spending money, or you could buy her work on a used CD which is legally sold to you but would not provide any payment/ royalty to her. It’s up to you whether you want to go that route. I know when I don’t want to support an author but want to read their book, I either buy a used copy or I get it from the library.
 
We as Catholics must not comprise Our Faith and morals by listening to music that excites the rebellious passions

It is much better to listen to Chant or Classical music than modern music

Buying those CD’s is approval of that singer’s lifestyle
 
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To the original question, I would guess it does bother you a bit, or you wouldn’t ask the question here. I think if you spend a lot of time listening to things that are against your faith or morals, that probably isn’t a good idea. I would say “search your conscience”, and maybe this is one of those times where you could ask what Jesus might do. Or listen to.
I guess it’s worth asking whether Jesus would want his followers supporting people who are outspoken about immoral things, and perhaps leading people into sin. Maybe you can find other singers (gospel, CCM) that you also like who don’t promote a bad message?
 
I would stay away from her music.

Nowadays, it would be best for everyone to get away from worldly music and to stick tosacred music, because the latter, by its very nature, lift the soul to God, whereas the former appeals to the concupicisble appetites.
 
Blessings
We are in the world and not of the world. To be chaste, one cannot listen to worldly things.It is wonderful that you are embracing your faith. When we are young, and our innocence hasn’t been shattered. Our all consuming love of God is the greatest thing we have. Now, I’m 70. I was a critical care/ED RN for 44 yrs! I’ve seen things and heard of things, I wish I hadn’t had to encounter. In spite of those things God used me in kind ways in strange circumstances. May God be glorified.
God’s goals are for our health and to love Him and all of His creation. He loves us all! He doesn’t love our sin.
You are being so thoughtful in your wonderful relationship w God, Your Father. Your singer Janelle Monae, is of the world! Does she know Jesus? Is she losing her soul, one piece at a time?? Who will tell her? You may not be old enough in your walk to be an Evangelist, yet.
Each day, you’ll see something to make you grow in God. Love your journey.
Jeremiah 29/11 GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU…
In Christ’s Love
Tweedlealice
 
The resource that can help you is called art music, or classical music, specifically instrumental music.
 
I like electronic music and some classical music, but I haven’t found any artists I can get into seriously enough
 
Sadly, I can’t really get into gospel or ccm. I do like electronic music. There aren’t any artists in particular out there that l can get into enough to make a favorite
 
In a perfect world, I would have a chance to have brunch with her and discuss the problematic aspects of her music and videos. I do, though, pray for her every day
 
As you said, WE ARE NOT IN A PERFECT WORLD!
Go w God
In Christ’s Love
Tweedlealice
 
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