A dilemma about my favorite singer

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Thanks everyone for your feedback. It’s been a dilemma for me because there seems to be a view within some parts of the Church that one has to be a “holy roller” (no secular music, being almost monastic) to be a “Good Christian” whereas on certain things I see a bit more nuance. As I mentioned, while I find some of the imagery and messaging alludes to in her most recent work problematic, I admire her overall positivity and talent as compared to the majority of artists out there now.
 
It’s a big church and you’re going to get a lot of different views.
What might be an occasion of sin or just distasteful for one person of a certain age or culture or preferences, may not be an occasion of sin or distasteful for another person in a different situation.
 
There is a reason the Church hasn’t formally and dogmatically asserted that Catholics may only listen to explicitly Christian music and read explicitly Christian books and watch explicitly Christian movies. We have to discern the proper path.

Now, this doesn’t mean that it is totally subjective and there is no wrong way to do it. There are things we would all do well to avoid. However, we can affirm the good in something while also being honest and recognizing the bad elements. As to whether this bad elements are sufficient to warrant staying away from a particular musical artist, that’s where the discernment comes in. I’ve never heard of this person you speak of, so I cannot really comment on specifics.
 
I only discovered her on social media. Isn’t she the one with the…weird music video? Pink or something?

It seems as if she’s quite open about her sexuality (that she’s attracted to women). It seems to be more than just things that hints at LGBTQ or anything like that?

It’s pretty hard to avoid singers who support sin but I tend to avoid singers who are very explicit in it (ie overtly sexual music videos and lyrics, songs about drugs/abuse).
 
If you had to dissociate completely with every sinner, you’d live in a bubble of 0 people. Even without yourself.
 
Rhubarb said:
If you had to dissociate completely with every sinner, you’d live in a bubble of 0 people. Even without yourself.
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There’s a difference between people (especially celebrities) who espouse open sin, and us garden-variety sinners who are not trying to encourage and promote celebration of sin, but who are trying to live decent lives. There really is. Do you see that?
 
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Loud-living-dogma said:
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Rhubarb:
If you had to dissociate completely with every sinner, you’d live in a bubble of 0 people. Even without yourself.
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There’s a difference between people (especially celebrities) who espouse open sin, and us garden-variety sinners who are not trying to encourage and promote celebration of sin, but who are trying to live decent lives. There really is. Do you see that?
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(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
My thoughts to be honest are that I don’t care that much about Janelle Monae to read a whole article on her, and I think maybe you should find a fan board or something to discuss her on.

As mentioned above, unless you are a close personal friend of a celebrity, you are not going to ever know what they are really like. The articles written with the help of their publicists and record labels and movie studios and managers and such are not going to show you the true, real person, ever. I actually have been a personal friend of a couple of people in the public eye and I have seen this firsthand.

If you are really troubled by the fact that you are a fan of somebody who isn’t following Catholic teaching (and who has videos with dozens of women’s behinds bobbing up and down and other suggestive stuff) then stop listening to her music and stop supporting her. If on the other hand you can enjoy the music as being a catchy tune you can dance to, without getting all caught up in this woman’s “message” or “lifestyle” or any of this other stuff then that’s a different story. The mere fact that you keep posting about her on this forum asking over and over for thoughts is making me feel you are really having a moral struggle here and if that’s the case maybe this singer is exerting too much influence over you and it’s time to find another singer to follow. In addition, I’m getting the impression that you just want to keep talking about and thinking about Janelle Monae, and like I said, that belongs on a fan board.
 
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Of course, you can listen to anyone you wish to. But personally, I would try to find some wholesome singers and bands to listen to. I always find wisdom in the lines of the songs I listen to. One of my fav lines is by Justin Hayward. “Just what you want to be, you will be in the end.”

I apply such wisdom to my life and the choices I make. Musically, I will ask myself, “Is the artist I’m listening to sending a positive message or a negative one?” If the songs are wholesome, I’m more inclined to listen to more from that artist or band. If the band promotes a lifestyle or any kind of immorality that goes against my Christian upbringing, I walk away and don’t buy their product at all.

As you say you are trying to live out your Catholic faith, do a Google search and try to find some Catholic entertainers. The late Bing Crosby was Catholic. His songs were very wholesome and uplifting. Dana and Mary Ann Hood are also Catholic. Their music is also very uplifting. EWTN often has good music on their website.

There is so much good music out there Catholics can listen to without compromising their faith. Music that reaches not only Catholics but also the secular world.
 
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Yes, I probably do have a plank in my eye. The fact remains, I am not promoting evil things that are against the teaching of our Church.
 
Again thanks everyone for their feedback. Please forgive me if I was pushy on the issue. I wanted to get a perspective from fellow Catholicd. In addition, when I initially posted, only 3 songs were released. Now the whole album is out as well as the Rolling Stones article. With that, I shared give more background. Again, if it was pushy, forgive me. This will be my last post on the topic.
 
Janelle Monae describes her as pansexual. Whatever that is lol! I think a lot of celebrities say many things about sexuality just to attract attention and be cool.
 
RanaIrby said:
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
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Anyone who sings about sodomy is luring people and planting tiny seeds in the minds of those who listen and sing along. Fast forward into the future and the seeds often take root and give the rotten fruit later. Don’t be fooled. Satan has many agents who spread his gospel. Thus the Church has always warned about having custody of the eyes and ears.

 
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It’s great that you’re aware of how her work conflict with beliefs, so you seem to have the capacity to enjoy her music in moderation, which is what I would suggest, in addition to praying for her soul.

I enjoy the music of Sinead O’Connor and Enya, both of who are, sadly, non-practicing Catholics. I feel like I already connect with them through their music, so I may as well connect spiritually and pray for them.
 
I know I said my last post was going to be my last. However just to clarify, there isn’t any singing about any specific sexual acts involved. I do agree with you about having custody of eyes and ears
 
Thanks again everyone for your feedback. The responses have been very helpful and insightful. This for sure will be my last post on the matter
 
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