is Listening to heavy metal a sin ? or metal period?

[dconklin]

Try listening to bands like Pillar and Demon Hunter. Both are rather hard and loud as well as very Christian. My personal favorite is P.O.D. (Payable On Death). I met these guys very briefly before a show. Very positive and uplifting.

 

[archangel04]

I listen to metal and fast paced rock music when I work out or do something that requires me to be pumped up with energy. I always tell people to listen to music in the right environment. For example I wont list to Gregorian chant when I work out because I wont get the proper energy, but I do listen to it when I pray, relax, or meditate. Just like dance music, I usually listen to it if I want to be in a real good mood, or of course if I want to dance! All music can be wonderful, but we are the ones that corrupt it.

 

[sf9x60]

To the OP,
May I suggest you read a book by Brian “Head” Welsh (sp?) titled “Save me from Myself” ??

(For those of you who aren’t familiar, he was the lead guitarist of Korn, a very extreme metal band. He left the band when he found Christ, just at the time Korn was offered a multi-million dollar contract. And of course he was ridiculed in the media.) I practically cried in a few parts parts. It was so well written.

It will put things in perspective for you regarding metal and the metal lifestyle. Let us know what you think. REALLY, READ THIS BOOK !!! I CAN’T SAY THAT LOUDLY ENOUGH !

Otherwise let me just say, all you’ve heard about Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. It’s not a story that people have made up to make themselves feel better about dying someday. It’s really the truth.

 

[Palaeologos]

Perhaps this is a question of taste more than anything else.

What is it about the music you like exactly?

Is it the lyrics you think might be a problem? If so, they probably are a problem.

Perhaps others will not agree, but if you are looking for a simple black-white answer about sin, I don’t think it will be forthcoming.

I think Hesychios has the best answer so far on this thread.

It is very difficult to give pat, across-the-board answers to questions like these. But in general, a good rule of thumb is that if you feel as though what you’re doing is something you shouldn’t be doing, you should examine it closely and probably stop doing it!

Clearly something about this music worries you. A person who has a strong faith and is not overly affected by challenges to it might not have a problem. But you are questioning your faith and falling into other kinds of temptation for which this music is providing a kind of framework. Based just on what you have told us, I think it would be best for you to turn from it.

As far as lyrical content goes, some people are more susceptible than others by nature, or at vulnerable times in their lives. And some people will listen to things and not be affected by them in any negative way. But from the sound of things, it doesn’t sound like the lyrics in this genre are helpful to you. I think you need to take a break from it for at least a few months and find some other things you enjoy listening to.

 

[shondrea]

Judging from the last several posts, OP, music is the LEAST of your worries.

I keep saying, no single genre can be deemed evil. You have to asses each artist and song in and of themselves. There is a lot of rap, metal and rock that are not appropriate, but it doesn’t make the entire genre sinful.

That isn’t to say you only have to listen to church hymns. A song can be inspiring even if not implicitly Christian. It all depends on where your mind goes. A song could be a slow, somewhat frightening song, bringing to mind dark nights and things creeping about, and for some people, this would not be an inspiring song, but for others, they may be reminded of how God is there even in the dark when we’re afraid.

Let’s see…for example, there’s a song called Field of Innocence. A woman is singing about how the world is so much more frightening than when she was a child, that sweet, naive thoughts of girlhood are long gone and replaced by harsh realities of the real world. Depressing? For some. But for me? Nope. Because when I listen to the song, it actually reminds me of childhood, and how little things make a child happy, which reminds me that even now, as an adult, I should still take pleasure in the little blessings in life.

 

[shondrea]

I listen to metal and fast paced rock music when I work out or do something that requires me to be pumped up with energy. I always tell people to listen to music in the right environment. For example I wont list to Gregorian chant when I work out because I wont get the proper energy, but I do listen to it when I pray, relax, or meditate. Just like dance music, I usually listen to it if I want to be in a real good mood, or of course if I want to dance! All music can be wonderful, but we are the ones that corrupt it.

THIS! I listen to fast, fun, high energy songs on my way to work, so I’m energetic and ready to put in a good day, but to quiet, pretty instrumental work in the evening before bed. And even with my fast songs, I’m not a fan of sexual or dirty songs, or even songs with a lot of foul language. Worst song I have on my iPod is one that uses the F word once (currently looking for the clean version)

 

[shondrea]

mmmmm…

does music about suicide, drug use, darkness, evil, despair, self-loathing, violence, and the Evil One glorify Christ, or remind us of Him?

It can. It’s not what the song is about, but HOW it’s handled.

For example, a song about a drug dealer living the high life with his hos? NOT a good song. But a song about a man in a gang, lamenting on the life he’s in, about all the people he’s lost and the mistakes he’s made? That could be a very moving and powerful song.

Or think about a song about war. We all know war is a terrible thing, and even Just Wars create pain and trauma. But what of a song told from the point of view of a soldier? Showing how afraid he is, and all the carnage around him terrifies him, but he perseveres on, for his life and the lives of the ones he loves?

Portraying an action or showing that a choice was made is not the same thing as condoning or glorifying an action or choice. .

 

[Newme]

All music is a gift from God! It’s all in how you interpret it! Fast hip-hop, rap are fun songs! Hard rock is my favorite! Remember “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Godspell”? Even Broadway agnoligizes Jesus Christ. There must be something to it!

 

[SnakeMauler]

a) that type of music for lack of a better word, sucks
b) the lyrics are filth…promoting every type of sin under the sun
c) that music is adopted and listened to by many satanists
d) i can’t understand a lot of what is being said, because the volume drowns out the words
e) would you want to be listening to it when Christ returns?
f) headbaning? For reall…headbanging??? I am sure you can find something more intellectually stimulating to do with your time.

Everything you just said is completely sterotype. Lets take the lyrics to the song “Roots Bloody Roots” by Sepultura. It doesn’t promote any sort of sin. It just has the message that people should preserve their roots and not forget their heritage. While it’s true that many black metal bands write anti Christian lyrics, black metal, in my opinion, sucks, and no one really cares about them anyway. “I can’t understand what is being said”? You’re probably talking about some sort of ****** metalcore/hardcore, which again isnt’ metal. In true heavy metal, most lyrics are about overcoming adversity’s and regular life struggles. I’m sure Christ would have no problem with someone writing about that.

To the OP,
May I suggest you read a book by Brian “Head” Welsh (sp?) titled “Save me from Myself” ??

(For those of you who aren’t familiar, he was the lead guitarist of Korn, a very extreme metal band. He left the band when he found Christ, just at the time Korn was offered a multi-million dollar contract. And of course he was ridiculed in the media.) I practically cried in a few parts parts. It was so well written.

It will put things in perspective for you regarding metal and the metal lifestyle. Let us know what you think. REALLY, READ THIS BOOK !!! I CAN’T SAY THAT LOUDLY ENOUGH !

Otherwise let me just say, all you’ve heard about Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. It’s not a story that people have made up to make themselves feel better about dying someday. It’s really the truth.

I’m sure its a good book, and I’m glad that Head became a Christian, but Korn isn’t a “very extreme metal band”. in Fact, they’re not even a true metal band. They’re a nu metal band, which is the type of stuff I listened to when I was 12.

 

[Topaz1128]

i’ve been listening to bands like Slipknot, Slayer, & more i just wanna know is it ? i just can’t help it i love that stuff

I don’t know much about Slipknot, but I had always been a huge Slayer fan – until I started RCIA classes. This is just my personal opinion, but I felt like I was going against my conscience by listening to Slayer.

If I’m not mistaken, Kerry King (lead guitarist) writes most of the lyrics, and he is very anti-Christian/anti-religion. True, a lot of the lyrics are about religious hypocrisy, but some others are flat-out blasphemous (the lyrics of “God Hates Us All” come to mind).

Personally, I don’t understand why a Christian would want to listen to lyrics like that. Then there are songs like “Criminally Insane” that (to me) glorifies murder.

Before I started investigating the Church and attending RCIA, I was listening to Slayer every morning during my commute to work, and I honestly believe it subliminally affected my attitude in a negative way.

I do have to admit, though, that the music itself rocks! Please take my post for what it’s worth; I’m not going to tell you to stop listening to heavy metal. I still sometimes listen to some 80s metal bands from my heyday. There are also some good Christian metal bands like Whitecross, Deliverance, and Bride.

By the way, Tom Araya (vocalist/guitarist) was raised Catholic, but I’m not sure if he’s still practicing.

 

[Coder]

Jesus teaches us that we will know them by their fruits:

One can ask about any form of “art”:

• Does it lead me to ponder God?
• Does it lead me to ponder Heaven?
• Does it inspire me to help others?
• Does it inspire me to be peaceful?
• Does it inspire me to be patient?
• Does it inspire me to be kind?
• Does it encourage me to pray?
• Does it direct me to true joy?

Or

• Does it cause me to become callous?
• Does it inspire anger in me?
• Does it inspire immorality?
• Does it lead me to be hateful?
• Does it lead me to be rebellious?
• Does it lead me to have a negative attitude?
• Does it try to attract us evil?
• Does it encourage me to drink alcohol excessively or use drugs?

I think answering those questions will show whether involvement with it is a good or a sin.

Here is a comparison that I like to make. It’s 2am. You are picking up your teenager from a concert and you are walking alone in a dark corner of the parking lot and no one is nearby. You see a group of young men approaching you. In which environment do you feel safer??

A: The concert is a heavy metal concert and the men have beer bottles and their shirts off.

B. The concert is a symphony orchestra and the men are wearing tuxedos.

(Note: I know we don’t judge a book by its cover and I don’t. I am also aware that we can typically be safe in scenario A. I am just asking in which does one have a higher likelihood of considering themselves safe or feeling comfortable at 2am in the dark.)

 

[HelenRose]

i just love that stuff, i’m a headbanger i love that stuff most people think its “too loud” but its not to me i heard the lead singer of slayer is catholic and he doesnt write that stuff

It may not be to loud for you because you a losing your hearing.
For different reasons altogether I am slowly losing my hearing.

This is no fun. It is isolating. It is embarrassing to be forever asking people to repeat themselves. Don’t take your hearing for granted. It is a precious gift.

Hearing aids are very expensive and are irritating to wear.

Give this some thought when you are listening to loud music.

 

[Lily_Bernans]

If the lyrics are offensive to God, or enticing to sin, you must not listen to them.

If the music does either too, you must not listen to them.

There apparently is some ‘Christian Metal’ though I don’t know if it is adviseable both because of the music itself, regardless of the lyrics and because a person needs to not rely on music too much for his emotional life. If you listen to music it’s probably best for your health to listen to something sacred or classical, something peaceful.

Porn addiction is a serious problem that takes prayer and work to overcome. God wants to help you to do this. But to do it you *have *to get rid of the porn, and get rid of any near occasions of sin. Near occasions are the things that tempt you and are sure to have you to commit the sin, like magazines, shows, internet sites, etc. where you are tempted because of the way the people dress and act.

You must not sin in your mind or with your body, and love purity instead.

All sins of lust are serious sins, you *have *to overcome them. They can cause you to lose God forever.

The good news is God loves you and it can be done. You can win the fight and overcome the temptation. And a life without it is a happier life, though the road to that happier life can be difficult, He is there to help you.

Someone in one of my classes was discussing the very same thing. He consulted a priest and was given an answer very, very similar to the poster above.

If something harms your soul and leads you into sin or away from Christ, you must stop doing it.

 

[TheDoctor]

Hey folks. Thread is 5-1/2 years old and OP has not posted here in 4. Suggest we just let this stay dead or start a new thread if you want to discuss.