Catholics listening to metal?

[CharlesFulkerson]

Hi guys. I’m catholic and I listen to metal. Heavy metal. I understand that there is a general negative view of metalheads and an idea that we are all satanist. Right off the bat I’d like to say that that is not true. Many bands and songs have satanic references and sometimes even meanings in them but that is not all of them. And on top of that if a metalhead does listen to that music it does not mean that they believe or support the satanic messages or references. As long as I don’t take part in any of the satanist actions or beliefs is it fine to listen to this music? Thankfully only a couple bands i listen to have satanic stuff in it but others also reference other gods. Those bands however made most of their hits for soundtracks on movies such as Gladiator. An example of one of these bands is Manowar who constantly reference a ancient war god by the name of Odin. I do not believe in this “god” but I listen to the bands music. Does all this make me a bad catholic? And what are your general views on metal and metalheads?

 

[Cthompson]

Hi!

I used to be a huge heavy metal music guru. Then I stopped listening to it and I’m glad I did. Is there anything intrinsically wrong with heavy metal? Well, there can be. This does not mean you are a bad Catholic.

Anything that promotes satanic activity and overall debachery should be avoided. To be blunt, it’s pointless. You’re not gaining anything by it and it’s not helping you achieve your purpose of life.

Music can have a subconscious affect on our lives. For me, I was angry and isolated when I listened to heavy metal. I would suggest giving it up. There is nothing good you will gain from it. Like St. Paul says, “Do not conform yourselves to this age” (Romans 12) and seek what is above (Colossians 3).

I would give it up. You’ll be glad. Enjoy the silence of life!

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I have been Catholic my whole life and I listen to everything, including a lot of metal as well as other genres. I would say metal actually has a higher proportion of Christians and people who are following a basically Christian lifestyle (love thy neighbor, help your brother, marry your partner, care for your family) than other rock genres. A friend of mine who ran a small label, managed bands who played Wacken, and has a very popular radio show runs a massive food drive for charity every December, about the biggest one in his city, and has been doing this for years. Another guy is pro-Jesus to the point of offering Bibles on his merchandise table. So there is nothing inherently wrong with metal. A lot of it even has Christian messages. Some people get this and some don’t.

Most of the stuff about Odin, etc I can enjoy in the same way I enjoy reading old Greek and Norse mythology books; OK for entertainment but I’m not planning to start praying to Odin and Thor any time soon. If you taking it in that way, as entertainment and not a substitute for Jesus Christ, then no problem.

As I’m sure you know, there is also a subset of metal that contains lyrics that are on their surface anti-God, anti-Christian, or violent. This stuff has to be evaluated in view of the listener’s age, their level of involvement with the listening, and possible bad effects on them/their lifestyle, as well as whether there is blasphemy involved. Some bands and songs just go too far for me to feel comfortable and i dont support them. For the ones that could go either way, as middle-aged married person, I’m way past the age of being influenced by some song and I understand the context whereby some songs are not meant to be taken literally or are making some point about hypocrisy, national heritage etc but if it was some teenage relative of mine, I’d probably tell them not to listen.

When listening to any edgy music, be very careful who you get involved with because while there are many good people listening to it, there are also bad people who will lead you astray. We all know a few people who got a little too over involved and messed up their lives. And try to pick some metal with uplifting themes. I’m partial to Dio, Place of Skulls, Trouble and other doom bands myself, though there’s a lot more out there to choose from.

If at any time, you find that your listening habits are bothering your conscience or having a negative effect on your life, stop immediately. And if you’re still a minor, respect your parents’ wishes about your listening habits. If this is an issue, discuss it with them, but they have the final say until you are an adult living on your own.

 

[BornInMarch]

There is nothing inherently sinful about Heavy Metal. It’s an artform like any other, and some Heavy Metal Bands even use this genre of music to praise God.

 

[drac16]

There are a lot of different kinds of metal, so I don’t think one should say that it is absolutely wrong or that it is absolutely permissible. The Lord has told me that I’m not allowed to listen to black metal or viking metal, because those sub-genres usually have a blasphemous message (like Amon Amarth for instance; a rather popular band. They sing about Odin). You can find some good, wholesome bands if you’re willing to look for it. Sabaton for instance; they are a power metal band that I really enjoy. There’s no blasphemy in their lyrics.

I would say keep on listening to metal as long as there is no swearing, anti-christian messages, pro-pagan messages or blasphemy in the lyrics. The stuff that I listen to, like Sabaton and Dragonforce, are harmless, in my opinion.