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Dines
Guest
Is Heavy Metal against catholicism? What is the church’s respond to this? Would appreciate if could provide any church document or teaching on this topic.
Pax Christi,
Dines
Pax Christi,
Dines
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Harmony1988
Guest
Depends on the lyrical content. Anything that glorifies satan and his ways, even indirectly would be opposed by the church. This includes slander towards religion, races. Heavy metal is a rather touchy topic, since a lot of it can be termed as ‘angry music’ and therefore could be detrimental to some people. Do not get me wrong, I am not condemning it, I am a heavy metal fan, but lately I have begun to question some bands I listen to, I’ve had to throw some out too. But where to draw the line requires some discernment and prayer.
Some people aren’t affected by the music, like my dad, he dislikes it but isn’t affected by the lyrical content per se, not because ‘it’s heavy metal’ but because to him the sound of distortion gives him a headache (apparently)
. I however do get affected by some types of it, because it general focuses on negativity, and some people can be affected by this. You become what you are in sync with eventually. So be weary of listening excessively to songs about despair, hurt, hopelessness and etc.
Some people aren’t affected by the music, like my dad, he dislikes it but isn’t affected by the lyrical content per se, not because ‘it’s heavy metal’ but because to him the sound of distortion gives him a headache (apparently)
. I however do get affected by some types of it, because it general focuses on negativity, and some people can be affected by this. You become what you are in sync with eventually. So be weary of listening excessively to songs about despair, hurt, hopelessness and etc.
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UndertheRadar
Guest
This probably won’t be the popular view, but I don’t think that heavy metal brings about any good. Many times the lyrics are not Christian, but this is not my only reason. I have heard of several studies being done on various types of music, and heavy metal was not among the top for having good effects. Instead music like Gregorian Chant actually had good health effects, such as lowering blood pressure and stress levels. :twocents:
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Dines
Guest
Harmony1988 & UndertheRadar,
Thanks for the reply.
Pax Christi,
Dines
Thanks for the reply.
Pax Christi,
Dines
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Matthias123
Guest
I see nothing wrong with heavy metal as long as the lyrical content is not extremely immoral. Keep in mind that unless you are listening to chant, the lyrics will never be perfect. Listening to imperfect music is permissible as long as it doesn’t lead you into sin. Stay away from music that contains extremely immoral material or satanic images.
On a personal note I find the effects of heavy metal music uncomfortable. It seems to make me angry. After listening to it I want to punch a wall. I tend to listen to more classic rock. But to each his own.
On a personal note I find the effects of heavy metal music uncomfortable. It seems to make me angry. After listening to it I want to punch a wall.
I tend to listen to more classic rock. But to each his own.
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JMBNH
Guest
Don’t see asny justification for condemning a type of music for being that kind of music, sounds a bit pharisaic. However, yes a lot of heavy metal does have bad lyrics, more so than average, not all does and some can have positive lyrics
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NewUlm1976_2000
Guest
There is no official stance I know of. Heavy Metal in itself is neither pro or anti “Catholicism”. Lyrics and beat in themselves just part of the musical art. How the person takes them is a separate matter, but listening to one music genre or another is not looked down upon. There are lots of long threads about this in Popular Media if you do a search.
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averheyen
Guest
This is one of the BIGGEST moral issues I struggle with.
I am an absolutely HUGE heavy metal fan. I play scorching metal guitar, I love the evil sounding music, it gets my blood running, it runs in my veins.
On the other hand, I feel the EXACT same way about my Catholic faith.
And needless to say I feel extremely, extremely conflicted.
My teacher is a devout evangelical baptist, who has a Jazz and Classical degree, and he feels the same way as I do about both God/and heavy metal, but he doesn’t seem to be able to provide me with much insight as to keeping pure and loving a musical style that seems to, by it’s innate nature, promote all kinds of immorality.
Anybody have any insight here for me?
I am an absolutely HUGE heavy metal fan. I play scorching metal guitar, I love the evil sounding music, it gets my blood running, it runs in my veins.
On the other hand, I feel the EXACT same way about my Catholic faith.
And needless to say I feel extremely, extremely conflicted.
My teacher is a devout evangelical baptist, who has a Jazz and Classical degree, and he feels the same way as I do about both God/and heavy metal, but he doesn’t seem to be able to provide me with much insight as to keeping pure and loving a musical style that seems to, by it’s innate nature, promote all kinds of immorality.
Anybody have any insight here for me?
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CTA1967
Guest
I dunno, maybe you can try being more open to different genres of music? I guess I’m kinda lucky that I’m fickle about music. One week I’ll be obsessed with the fuzz guitars of the 70s, the next week I’ll be obsessed with classical piano, the next week I’ll be obsessed with old country blues, the next I’ll be obsessed with 50s rock… (well, I guess the workers at my library aren’t so lucky…)
I suppose you could try to experiment with listening to different kinds of music to see if there’s another you like as much, or better, if you feel a certain kind will lead you to sin.
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The_Otaku
Guest
This is a touchy subject for me regardless of what the church would have to say about it.
I stay away from heavy metal. It disturbs the peace of my soul. I’ve never been into loud, obnoxious, angry music, and there’s lots of genres like that, not just heavy metal.
Spiritually speaking, I think that certain types of metal can be gateways for demons and unclean spirits to enter into reality or even possess the people listening to or playing the music. Any music that has cursing, profanities, constant exotic violent beats, etc., are portals as well, but there’s something about heavy metal (name removed by moderator)articular that makes it more accessible to the demons than other genres.
At the very least, it is my opinion that music such as rap and metal, and otherwise violent and depressing music can (but does not always) create negative energy. So even if demonic activity had nothing to do with it, at the very least, you’d have the energy going around due to the chords being played, the beat, etc, and the passion being poured into this anger, angst, and rage, etc. Even if these emotions are not serious, and they’re just for the sake of a song being played and realized, the fact one “gets into” it is enough, in my opinion, to put one’s self in a situation where negative energy and the like can manifest. And this energy (and possibly demons) follow these people around because many of them adopt a sort of lifestyle that’s influenced by their musical passions. We see this most prominently in the heavy metal, goth/emo, and rap genres, where the emotions and energy transcend the music and go from just being music, to being lifestyles, trends, and philosophies. The demons can prey on people like this more easily because they’re open to persuasion and how often it is when these musical genres tend to lead to bad, disillusioned, unhealthy, twisted, or criminal behavior.
I stay away from heavy metal. It disturbs the peace of my soul. I’ve never been into loud, obnoxious, angry music, and there’s lots of genres like that, not just heavy metal.
Spiritually speaking, I think that certain types of metal can be gateways for demons and unclean spirits to enter into reality or even possess the people listening to or playing the music. Any music that has cursing, profanities, constant exotic violent beats, etc., are portals as well, but there’s something about heavy metal (name removed by moderator)articular that makes it more accessible to the demons than other genres.
At the very least, it is my opinion that music such as rap and metal, and otherwise violent and depressing music can (but does not always) create negative energy. So even if demonic activity had nothing to do with it, at the very least, you’d have the energy going around due to the chords being played, the beat, etc, and the passion being poured into this anger, angst, and rage, etc. Even if these emotions are not serious, and they’re just for the sake of a song being played and realized, the fact one “gets into” it is enough, in my opinion, to put one’s self in a situation where negative energy and the like can manifest. And this energy (and possibly demons) follow these people around because many of them adopt a sort of lifestyle that’s influenced by their musical passions. We see this most prominently in the heavy metal, goth/emo, and rap genres, where the emotions and energy transcend the music and go from just being music, to being lifestyles, trends, and philosophies. The demons can prey on people like this more easily because they’re open to persuasion and how often it is when these musical genres tend to lead to bad, disillusioned, unhealthy, twisted, or criminal behavior.
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averheyen
Guest
Well, I think the bigger thing is that just about any musical style can lead people to sin these days. Listen to anything top 40.
So what do ya do?
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rusty20
Guest
I would be much more worried about modern rap/hip-hop than heavy metal. I listen to a good amount of metal, not so much heavy “death” metal. Modern rap is twice as “bad” as modern heavy metal. Most metal albums I listen to have some slower, lighter songs with good messages along with the heavy stuff.
If you like metal, try to slowly move to hard rock, then classic rock. Classic rock is where its at.
If you like metal, try to slowly move to hard rock, then classic rock. Classic rock is where its at.
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CTA1967
Guest
Gregorian chant?
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fbl9
Guest
in my opinion the music isn’t as much as the lyrics…had a good laugh at myself today i was probably the only 41yr old driving a tractor cranking some old megadeth.these days i notice the contents of thelyrics a lot more thaen i used too though,i like the way the music is played more then listen to the lyrics.
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R_McGeddon
Guest
This is laughable, it’s like something from the dark ages. My great grandmother thought the TV was the work of the devil, but we’re going back about a hundred years with her.
I find it depressing that such a view could exist these days.
Listening to music you don’t like might do that, but who does that anyway?
There are no demons, it’s all superstitious twaddle.
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Harmony1988
Guest
I’d hardly call any of this a good argument. All you have done is state your opinion.
I can do the same:
“There are demons, it’s not superstitious twaddle”
Now time for you to engage in proper argumentation:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argumentation_theory
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument
Make sure you read up on ‘valid’ arguments in conjunction with ‘sound’ arguments.
And above all, read up on fallacies.
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R_McGeddon
Guest
This forum, like any other Internet forum, is composed, largely, of peoples’ opinions. I’m not doing anything radically different from anybody else.
And??
Demons are the adult equivalent of the bogeyman for children. Both are a means to obtain compliance.
Example:
Do as you’re told or the demons/bogeyman will get you.
You get compliance from a scared person.
Bring it on.
You make the positive claim for the existence of demons.
Where can I find some evidence, to review for myself?
I wouldn’t rely too much on wikipedia, I’ve seen plenty of people on here refuse to acknowledge that, on the grounds that anyone can contribute.
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UndertheRadar
Guest
Demons are not “superstitious”. I agree with The Otaku on this matter.
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CTA1967
Guest
I doubt that a self-proclaimed agnostic like R McGeddon can answer this.
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strugglingalong
Guest
I’ve heard that too. I agree with you UndertheRadar. I think Heavy Metal music is bad both since most have bad lyrics and also because the music tends toward anger and violence and disorder. If you’re going to listen to music and let something get into your mind and heart and soul, why not make sure you listen to good Catholic music that encourages you in the Faith? We have so much against us as it is, why add the music we listen to?
Pax Christi tecum.
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