Being a musician

[ivebeenshown]

This is something I have struggled with, and would like some advice on.

I like music a lot, I like singing and playing instruments, writing songs, and recording/producing. It is unethical to write, perform, and record largely secular/faith-neutral songs with faithful undertones in some songs, as long as the songs are not promoting profanity/immoral behavior? Also, would it be immoral to play a venue where many people are likely to abuse alcohol? Would that not be contributing to others’ sins?

 

[Kouyate42]

This is something I have struggled with, and would like some advice on.

I like music a lot, I like singing and playing instruments, writing songs, and recording/producing. It is unethical to write, perform, and record largely secular/faith-neutral songs with faithful undertones in some songs, as long as the songs are not promoting profanity/immoral behavior? Also, would it be immoral to play a venue where many people are likely to abuse alcohol? Would that not be contributing to others’ sins?

I’m also a musician and a gigging musician at various times.

As far as I can tell, any such action that we do is can be used for the glory of G-d. If He gave you a gift in music, then using it glorifies Him. Similarly, each and every action we take in our daily lives can be used to glorify Him. This can be anything from doing our job the best we can to cooking a good dinner, or even making someone happy with our musical skill. We are meant to demonstrate our faith (regardless of our actual religion) in our actions as much as our words. We don’t have to be actually referring to Him all the time in words.

As for the issue of faith-neutral or implicitly religious songs, I’d argue this is permissable. There are many musicians of many religions that have done precisely this, including a number of Christian singers, including Cliff Richard, Muslim singers such as Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) and Jewish musicians including Neshama Carlebach.

 

[Heuchler]

I would imagine your songs would only be as immoral as you make them. Just because they aren’t faith based, doesn’t make them bad.

 

[puzzleannie]

Also, would it be immoral to play a venue where many people are likely to abuse alcohol? Would that not be contributing to others’ sins?

not all music has to have explicit religious content, why would you think it would be wrong to write or play such lyrics?

Are you serving the liquor? then how is it your “contribution” to a sin somebody “might” commit?

I work in a grocery store, which happens to sell beer and wine. Somebody “might” buy that and drink too much. How is that sin mine?