Music: Is it sinful?

[ivory]

Hello, all. You may know me from my previous threads, and I got a new question. Hope I’m not annoying you all.

I like to listen to modern rock and metal bands such as Disturbed, System of a Down, Korn, ect. Some people say that such bands are evil or satanic. I was wondering if listening to certain types of music is sinful. Can a good Christian listen to metal?

 

[PatrickJT914]

Hello, all. You may know me from my previous threads, and I got a new question. Hope I’m not annoying you all.

I like to listen to modern rock and metal bands such as Disturbed, System of a Down, Korn, ect. Some people say that such bands are evil or satanic. I was wondering if listening to certain types of music is sinful. Can a good Christian listen to metal?

Hi Ivory,
Listening to modern rock and metal bands is not evil or satanic in itself. But if causes you to do something evil, then that might pose a problem. Some people are weak in their faith, so they look for something to blame. Actually, any music could be considered evil or satanic. Take for example organ music that’s used in church. If you’ve noticed in the movies and other forms of media, that the organ or even a chant is used to highlight an evil or satanic act.

Can a good Christian listen to metal? Yes, it depends on the lyrics and the message that is being conveyed. You can take a song with negative values. And apply Catholic teachings to it. Let me give you an example: A secular metal band sings about and glorifies the Devil. What you could do is take a critical eye and ask what does the church teach about the Devil. You can really learn a lot of Church teaching from this method. Even songs
with positive values can work.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

Hello, all. You may know me from my previous threads, and I got a new question. Hope I’m not annoying you all.

I like to listen to modern rock and metal bands such as Disturbed, System of a Down, Korn, ect. Some people say that such bands are evil or satanic. I was wondering if listening to certain types of music is sinful. Can a good Christian listen to metal?

There are many threads on this in Popular Media if you want to search it out.

No, it is not sinful jut to listen to one genre of music or another. What really matters is the person listening to the music. Instruments, style, and lyrics do not matter by themselves, how receptive a person is to it is where you look. Rock and metal is relaxing to some people, they listen to it for the beat and bass. It all comes down to how you take the listening of the music in your daily life.

 

[Henning]

But Led Zeppelin?..their tunes are cool, but…

'…Guitarist Jimmy Page of Zeppelin is a devout follower of Satanist, Aleister Crowley, who proclaimed himself as “The Beast 666.” Aleister Crowley was also a 33rd and 97th Degree Freemason and is recognized as the master Satanist of the 20th century. In 1971, guitarist Jimmy **Page bought Crowley’s Boleskine House **on the shore of Loch Ness where Crowley practiced his Hellish, Satanic sex-magick rituals…" (by David J. Stewart)

I dunno what to make of them?
What about Marilyn Manson?

 

[PatrickJT914]

But Led Zeppelin?..their tunes are cool, but…

'…Guitarist Jimmy Page of Zeppelin is a devout follower of Satanist, Aleister Crowley, who proclaimed himself as “The Beast 666.” Aleister Crowley was also a 33rd and 97th Degree Freemason and is recognized as the master Satanist of the 20th century. In 1971, guitarist Jimmy **Page bought Crowley’s Boleskine House **on the shore of Loch Ness where Crowley practiced his Hellish, Satanic sex-magick rituals…" (by David J. Stewart)

I dunno what to make of them?
What about Marilyn Manson?

Hi Henning,
Well does a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch? Generally speaking if Led Zeppelin is okay. Then don’t worry too much about it. Besides one of their more popular songs, “Stairway to Heaven” might be considered a Christian song especially if you weigh against what the bible says.

Are they really serious Satanists or are they just doing this for it’s shock value?

Regarding Marilyn Manson and other bands and/or singers, musicians, etc. If they are very open to being overt Satanists. I personally would stay away from them. If they are closet Satanists and you found out later, I would give them a second look to see if I still wanted to be a fan.

ROCK ON!

 

[peary]

Hello, all. You may know me from my previous threads, and I got a new question. Hope I’m not annoying you all.

I like to listen to modern rock and metal bands such as Disturbed, System of a Down, Korn, ect. Some people say that such bands are evil or satanic. I was wondering if listening to certain types of music is sinful. Can a good Christian listen to metal?

I think one has to look at the words and the ‘message’ that a band is disseminating to make a personal judgment on this. Music by and of itself is neutral, but when you put words to it…well, that’s another matter entirely. And yes, some bands ARE evil and they ARE Satanic because of the effect their music has on those who follow them.

 

[Dtmccameron]

I feel there are two things to take into account when listening to music

The effect on yourself

And the effect on the world around you.

Various bits of metal seem to revel in the dark, the morbid, the macrabe, and other such things, which aren’t really conducive to a healthy, happy soul. Remember that Our God is of Light, and of Love, not of dark pits, bloody blades, and hate filled rage. Unless of course your reading Jonathan Edwards.

After that, comes the effect on the world. Remember that your conduct not only affects yourself, but also those around you. Which isn’t to say that listing to metal is bad, but, you just gotta be careful about the image you’re portraying to the kiddies!

And some folks might not be too happy donating to the charity of the musicians wallets, particularily if the musician isn’t leading the most virtuous of lives.

So bear in mind these two thoughts, and rock on!

 

[mangy_dog]

Do not “rock on”.

Hard rock, heavy metal, death metal, hip-hop, and all the spin-off genres of the aforementioned, are instruments of the devil.

There is a psychological effect of the bass lines, screeching and grinding guitars and the guttural “singing” voice of these styles of music are indicative of demonic influence. Lyrics with hidden or cryptic, occult meanings - often times exalting “new age” philosophies or other spiritist themes.

Hip-hop is overtly obscene. Glorifying by exposure the gang violence, worship of money, objectification of the female form, foul language as a matter of course, hero status of convicted criminals…etc etc etc.

In Latin countries especially Central America and the Caribbean, reggae has taken on the same character and influence of hip-hop with a heavier sexual tone and emphasis on money worship.

All this appeals to the young and the not so young. Befogging their minds with all sorts of new age thinking.

Old bands like Blue Oyster Cult, Kiss, Black Sabbath, Led Zepplin, Steppenwolf and others - were the precursor of todays “in your face” occult movements, insinuating itself in the modern genres of the devil’s music.

Do Not “rock on”… it will de-sensitize your soul, fog your reasoning and open you to demonic activity in your life and the life of your loved ones. The worse thing about this is that you won’t realize it until it becomes tragic.

Regina coeli, ora pro nobis.

 

[NTOT]

Hello, all. You may know me from my previous threads, and I got a new question. Hope I’m not annoying you all.

I like to listen to modern rock and metal bands such as Disturbed, System of a Down, Korn, ect. Some people say that such bands are evil or satanic. I was wondering if listening to certain types of music is sinful. Can a good Christian listen to metal?

Would Jesus listen to this stuff? I think you know the answer.

 

[mangy_dog]

I was born in '56. Have been a guitarist since age 12. My roots are in rock, blues and later in life jazz and currently (as of the last 10 years) Flamenco.

I too appreciate the technical fluidity of Hendrix’ style and others like him. But, I make no reservations about the nature of these genres as to their occultic, spiritist and more recently “new age” influences.

A “higher power” is obscure at best. Very new age. The spiritual aspect of which you make allusion is muddled with other ingredients.

I too resisted and made excuses about “some kinds of rock” and the talent that it takes to play this or that way. That resistance or reticence is echoed today in the advocates of hip-hop, regaetón, metal, thrash and other forms of modern music.

I preserve the value of the techniques in the amalgamation of styles contained in Flamenco guitar…but, pray that the Lord free this generation from the evil contained within.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.

 

[SawGodThere]

I will answer this from a musician’s point of view. I am a sax player (yes that is my occupation). I play blues, jazz, rock, funk, even some country. Especially with country, many songs that I play on, listen to, etc. are about love. Even though these songs were written not necessarily with God in mind, I usually ask myself about love in my life. I ask and pray while in song whether my love (either to human or to our Lord) is pure to God and place that music before God as an offering of my love to him. I don’t really play on tracks where there are bad messages, but I play on many that are not Christian songs either. The key to listening to any kind of music is to take whatever you can from that music and use it to glorify God.

 

[ivory]

Thank you all for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

I don’t like death metal, black metal, doom metal, or any of the dark genres of rock music. But I do like hard and alternative rock bands such as Disturbed and System of a Down. I also like some “classic” metal bands such as Metallica. Some people would say that I am prime material for a tool of Satan, but I’m willingly going forth and requesting my Baptism and Confirmation. I wish to become Catholic and follow the right path in life. But I’m not sure if my choices in music will hinder my goal at all. So far, it hasn’t, but I worry.

 

[mangy_dog]

I will answer this from a musician’s point of view. I am a sax player (yes that is my occupation). I play blues, jazz, rock, funk, even some country. Especially with country, many songs that I play on, listen to, etc. are about love. Even though these songs were written not necessarily with God in mind, I usually ask myself about love in my life. I ask and pray while in song whether my love (either to human or to our Lord) is pure to God and place that music before God as an offering of my love to him. I don’t really play on tracks where there are bad messages, but I play on many that are not Christian songs either. The key to listening to any kind of music is to take whatever you can from that music and use it to glorify God.

You my friend, are an exception. The fact that you are aware of the possibility and that you seem to have an interior life of prayer make you very much an exception. I thank God for musicians like you.

Remember, ours is a spiritual battle. We must remain alert to the wickedness and snares of Lucifer. Not just in certain types of music but in all aspects of our life on earth.

We continue to use our talents to glorify Him.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.

 

[revelations]

Remember, ours is a spiritual battle. We must remain alert to the wickedness and snares of Lucifer. Not just in certain types of music but in all aspects of our life on earth.

We continue to use our talents to glorify Him.

Often throughout the day i find myself attributing spiritual themes to things that weren’t intended to be interpreted as such. When i watch movies, i see it from a spiritual standpoint. I loved the lord of the rings series because i could relate to the imagery of sin, and good and evil. When i listen to music i am drawn to music with lyrics that are full of love, or that have deep spiritual meaning to me. Needless to say, I don’t have much music, lol.

Through doing this it’s very easy for me to sift through media. The spirit of the media is what you have to discern. For example there are some songs that have just so much sexual content, or are very materialistic that i just cant take listening to them. But there are others that have messages in them, and that is what you have to discern. To say a whole genre is evil and satanic is a little extreme. As always, it is up to the individual to discern these things.

I recently came into the church this past easter, and since then tossed out all the music i had. It was a lot of classic metal, judas priest, iron maiden, etc etc. I was listening to what other people said, about the satanic nature of this music and how i would go to hell if i kept listening to it. Now that I look back, there was an Iron Maiden song, “For the greater good of God” (lyrics:darklyrics.com/lyrics/ironmaiden/amatteroflifeanddeath.html#8)
that i used to listen to over and over and over again. Listening to that song re-introduced Jesus into my life, and was incremental in my conversion. I used to remember feeling so moved when i heard that song.

Keep God in your heart, and Jesus close to you. The devil loves it when we ascribe so much power and mystery to him, it makes it easier for him to do his dirty work. I remember someone telling me that yoga stretches would condemn me to a life of demonic posession, imagine how happy the devil is that people are so afraid of him. Music is what we make out of it, discern wisely.