Inappropriate music. What do you consider it to be?

[Joe_5859]

You know, I just remembered asking my religion teacher a while back about rock music. He just laughed it off and he has much rock music on his iPod. (He almost became a priest - years in seminay). I also remember a rock band from my catholic school playing at my church’s spring festival. Many of my catholic friends are very big rock fans. It seems the rest of the church is at odds with the anti-rockers.

I remember learning about Jehovah’s witnesses (I believe it was them) not allowing dance or birthday parties and just thinking that was hillarious. Now I realize there are Catholics, such as on this forum, with similarly radical views.

I agree with Alex246. We cannot look at simply one Cardinal’s views. It is not dogma (though I very strongly wish there was one).

(Hope this makes sense.)

I should point out, too, that it is important to look at the context of Ratzinger’s words. He is writing a book about the liturgy. This paragraph on rock music isn’t so much a univocal, unequivocal denunciation of all rock music with one broad brushstroke. Rather, he is contrasting rock music in general (and more specifically, rock “festivals”) with the music from the liturgy and the liturgy itself. I’ve been to many rock/metal concerts, and it can become a sort of quasi-worship service for some people. IMHO, Ratzinger is simply pointing out a modern day counter example to authentic liturgy. I have no problems with such a caution/criticism in regards to rock music. But I don’t think we can extrapolate it into a sweeping condemnation. I know Portrait and I disagree on this point.

I think your experience draws attention to something important as well. If rock music was totally and inherently vile and evil, the Church would be remiss not to address the issue at all. All we have are a couple of paragraphs from Cardinal Ratzinger (which are from a book on the liturgy, not a treatise against rock music). Surely the Church should offer more guidance than that. Rock is an international phenomenon which effects the lives of millions of Catholics. If it was completely degenerate and unavoidably spiritually harmful, the Church would be failing in her responsibilities not to ever even mention it.

I think Portrait’s observations are evidence that we need to be aware of possible negative effects. We need to be discerning. To totally immerse ourselves in the stereotypical rocker lifestyle is likely not a good idea. But that’s a far cry from being obligated to renounce it entirely and without exception.

 

[Alex246]

I should point out, too, that it is important to look at the context of Ratzinger’s words. He is writing a book about the liturgy. This paragraph on rock music isn’t so much a univocal, unequivocal denunciation of all rock music with one broad brushstroke. Rather, he is contrasting rock music in general (and more specifically, rock “festivals”) with the music from the liturgy and the liturgy itself. I’ve been to many rock/metal concerts, and it can become a sort of quasi-worship service for some people. IMHO, Ratzinger is simply pointing out a modern day counter example to authentic liturgy. I have no problems with such a caution/criticism in regards to rock music. But I don’t think we can extrapolate it into a sweeping condemnation. I know Portrait and I disagree on this point.

I think your experience draws attention to something important as well. If rock music was totally and inherently vile and evil, the Church would be remiss not to address the issue at all. All we have are a couple of paragraphs from Cardinal Ratzinger (which are from a book on the liturgy, not a treatise against rock music). Surely the Church should offer more guidance than that. Rock is an international phenomenon which effects the lives of millions of Catholics. If it was completely degenerate and unavoidably spiritually harmful, the Church would be failing in her responsibilities not to ever even mention it.

I think Portrait’s observations are evidence that we need to be aware of possible negative effects. We need to be discerning. To totally immerse ourselves in the stereotypical rocker lifestyle is likely not a good idea. But that’s a far cry from being obligated to renounce it entirely and without exception.

I completely agree. I think the main issue is a lack of understanding from people who only are able to view rock in a negative context. There are no inherent sexual reference in rock. I also have a very hard time understanding your definition of “base passions,” Portrait, and I am not inclined to believe that music that quite often brings me closer to God is inherently evil because of obscure, abstract messages that I cannot find no matter how much I consider your arguments.

At any rate, I’ve enjoyed this debate. I think I’m going to take a break from these topics for a while.

 

[Portrait]

I completely agree. I think the main issue is a lack of understanding from people who only are able to view rock in a negative context. There are no inherent sexual reference in rock. I also have a very hard time understanding your definition of “base passions,” Portrait, and I am not inclined to believe that music that quite often brings me closer to God is inherently evil because of obscure, abstract messages that I cannot find no matter how much I consider your arguments.

At any rate, I’ve enjoyed this debate. I think I’m going to take a break from these topics for a while.

Dear Alex,

Cordial greetings and thankyou for the above remarks.

May I just thank you for your courteous replies and at least taking the time to consider my arguments - even though you did not find them compelling enough to make you have a change of heart on the matter.

Likewise, I have also enjoyed our discussion; perhaps we will do it again sometime.

Meanwhile, Blessings be upon you and may God’s peace be always yours now and always.

Warmest good wishes,

Portrait:tiphat:

 

[McatholicN]

Again, I don’t know about whether rock is sinful or not. Sorry for any rudeness, etc. I may have made.