Questionable Music

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Marie_Margaret

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Looking for advice here. My son was cautioned about listening to certain hard rock bands (Metallica) and told not to have that type of music in our home.
Am I right to be concerned here?
He has continued to listen even though I told him not in my home. I struggle listening to the music. I find it hard to hear the words. Any advice you may have is appreciated.
 
Hmmmm. This is a good question I guess I will need to contemplate for awhile.

I really love all music - hard rock, soft rock, classical (I like the Baroque era/Bach), new age, jazz, religious hymns, contemporary, show tunes, and a little country.

But, that being said, I appreciate composition more than lyrics (consequently not a Bob Dylan fan), although you cannot be just one or the other. In fact, you could take most lyrics out and I would be happy.

You certainly have the right to censor some music but my opinion, better than censorship is to maybe take an interest in the music with him and ask him what he likes about this hard rock band (see if it is the lyrics or composition). If it is the composition, I wouldn’t be so worried. If it is the lyrics, and they are satanistic, or violent, then I would discuss it with him and how lyrics like that can damage the spirit. And give him other forms of music to pursue (Dilute the hard rock with something else)

Well, I have a confession - I listen to AC/DC (yup. I’ll put it on right after Bach or Fiddler on the Roof). They aren’t exactly the epitomy of Godly lyrics but I found the composition so attractive to my ears, when I am in a certain mood. Maybe I shouldn’t (I could certainly fast on AC/DC) and that’s what I’ll contemplate - maybe I’ll just give them up altogether.

Music is an interesting human endeavor. I beleive often at the level of creativity in our brain exists a darker side of us. Why God put it in us, I don’t know.
 
You certainly have the right to censor some music but my opinion, better than censorship is to maybe take an interest in the music with him and ask him what he likes about this hard rock band (see if it is the lyrics or composition). If it is the composition, I wouldn’t be so worried. If it is the lyrics, and they are satanistic, or violent, then I would discuss it with him and how lyrics like that can damage the spirit. And give him other forms of music to pursue (Dilute the hard rock with something else)

Well, I have a confession - I listen to AC/DC (yup. I’ll put it on right after Bach or Fiddler on the Roof). They aren’t exactly the epitomy of Godly lyrics but I found the composition so attractive to my ears, when I am in a certain mood. Maybe I shouldn’t (I could certainly fast on AC/DC) and that’s what I’ll contemplate - maybe I’ll just give them up altogether.

Music is an interesting human endeavor. I beleive often at the level of creativity in our brain exists a darker side of us. Why God put it in us, I don’t know.

Thanks for the reply and insight. I have tried listening to songs with him. I find the music hard to listen to. Very loud and yelling are common features. Titles such as “Kill them all” concern me. So I am wondering if there are others here who know specifically of this band and their content.
My other concern is his blatant disobedience by repeatly bringing it into my home when I’ve told him not to.
thanks for the advice
 
I don’t think (but I do not know for sure) that Metallica is as bad as some of the stuff out there. Like Korn and others like them. Korn is very bad. The disobedience thing is trouble. The next time he plays it in the house I would just take out the cd and snap in half. Sure he’ll be mad, but he’ll get over it. After he loses one or two cd’s I would bet he’d stop bringing them into the house.
 
Forgive me, but I really don’t think snapping the CD in half is the answer. I’m sure as parents we want our children’s obedience to spring from love and devotion, not resentment and fear. This is a complex problem and requires some intensive thought and prayer, not snappy answers and arbitrary violence.
 
My younger brother (15) listens to Metallica, but I think he enjoys the music more than anything (lyrics).The titles to some of their tracks sound pretty bad, although i have never listened to their lyrics (too hard and fast) Some track titles include “st. anger” and “leper messiah” . That should tell you a little bit…

I would just continue to not allow this music in your house. Take away his music player if he continues to disobey…
Hope the info helps.
God Bless,
 
I’d like to give you my (name removed by moderator)ut, even though I am but a child myself (18).

I think you’re very wise in being cautious about Metallica, and other heavy metal music. When I was younger I used to listen to a lot of bands which were hostile to religion and a pious life, and I think that sped up – although it wasn’t the sole catalyst – my becoming an atheist for a few years. Violent rock music just isn’t good in large amounts.

I would suggest punishing him in some way, but *not *by taking away or destroying the undesired CDs. It would probably just make him get upset and lead to a greater urge to listen to the banned music. There’s plenty of talented bands out there that won’t poison a young man’s mind … hopefully he’ll gravitate towards those artists eventually.

Just thought I’d give yet another point of view. God bless you and your son!
 
We agree that certain types of music are “poison” for the mind. Just as drugs are poison for the body. Would those who object to destroying the cd also object to destroying any drugs if found in their child’s room?
 
Lorik,

I think that’s a very reasonable comparison, and a good point. When you think of it that way, it does seem like physically destroying the harmful CDs is the best thing to do. The soul – which can be tainted by things like anti-Christian music – is infinitely more important than the body, afterall … so if extreme measures are taken against drugs, why not use the same against music? Hm.
 
Metallica has been lauded over the years as being one of the more intelligent rock bands of the last 20 years. When you get down to it, the band has real substance. That being said, your son is probably listening to the band to blow off some steam. If it concerns you enough maybe you should discuss what issues in his life make him so angry that he needs the release.
 
I listen to most of the Hard Rock bands. I would say yes be concerned, but watch his behavior. If he begins acting in self destructive ways, be worried. Here is a problem: name me one, ONE, secular pop or rock artist that does not sing songs that are at least problematic if not out right sinful. You cannot. In fact, I think that if you did not sing sin, you would not get played. Creed was popular as a “Christian” alternative to rock, but even they have some issues (use of the Lord’s name in vain). Rod Stewart, Celine Dion, any current pop act, et al sing the praises and benifits of sex outside of wedlock and other hedonistic pleasures. I know, I listen to them (not Celine Dion if I can help it). In the end, pay attention. Ask your son why he listens to the type of music he likes. Ask him why he disobayed you. Explain your problem. If it is because you cannot understand the lyrics, do we ban Louie Louie, too (oh yes, already did), or any of those other songs where we cannot understand what is being said? Talk to him, try to find a new alternative, but do it together.
 
First of all it’s your house and your child and you are the one who should decide what is acceptable for your child to listen to and what is allowed to enter into your house.
You are right to be concerned about what your child listens to. Someone mentioned that Metallica is one of the more intelligent bands and has lyrics of substance. I agree however that does not make it acceptable listening. They get their message across in very creative ways but the messages are not acceptable. One of my favorites used to be Fade To Black. Everytime I’m feeling a bit down they lyrics come back to me. “I have lost the will to live, simply nothing more to give. There is nothing more for me, need the end to set me free” It comes back into my mind and I have not head it for more than 10 years!
 
I suggest you look up their lyrics and discuss it with him.
I managed music stores for several years and in my opinion that it is possible it could be a bad influence. If anything, it desensitizes. (I am speaking here of lyrics). In the case of Metallica, I really do not remember or know much about their lyrics, but if you knew what the so called artwork on one of their albums is, you definetly would not allow it in your home.
 
I think that if you were to just talk to your son about the music and why he likes the band so much you will learn a lot. Prohibiting it sometimes just makes kids rebel and do the things that their parents do not want them to do. I know, because I was a lot like that. I would rather have had my parents discuss with me why they didn’t like it or find out why I liked certain things. Communication is the key with children. Don’t just say “no, don’t do that”. Get his side on it, and let him listen to yours.

Oh, and even if the music may seem loud and can’t understand the lyrics, doesn’t mean that it is bad. I’m sure when he gets to be your age he’ll probably think the same about what his children may listen to. Just a thought 😉
 
I agree with LoriK that decisive action is needed wrt disobedience. Much of modern music is damaging I think that a parent needs to monitor and SENSOR (yesiree I did say sensor!) what their son listens to. More concerning than the music though is the son’s refusal to comply with a parent’s more than reasonable request. Mssr. Hurd’s call for “intensive thought and prayer” is good though if it ends right there you’ve miscarried in your vocation as a parent.

I’ve been working with adjudicated youth for a few years and one thing that they all have in common is a missing or divorced father and another thing is that the remaining parent, mother by default, does not discipline lovingly but decisively through logical consequences. “If you will not voluntarily cease the metal then, for your good and the good of the household, I will.”

God bless,

JCEB
 
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Lorik:
I don’t think (but I do not know for sure) that Metallica is as bad as some of the stuff out there. Like Korn and others like them. Korn is very bad. The disobedience thing is trouble. The next time he plays it in the house I would just take out the cd and snap in half. Sure he’ll be mad, but he’ll get over it. After he loses one or two cd’s I would bet he’d stop bringing them into the house.
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Yea but…listening to bands like Metallica could lead to the other bands…like Slayer/Venom (Burn’m if he ever buys these).

Also, did you ever listen to Metallica’s Garage Days Re-Visited? They have a song on there with the lyrics:

I got something to say
I killed your baby today
Doens;t matter much to me
As long as its dead

I got something to say
I raped your mother today
It doesn’t matter much to me
As long as she spread

Here’s the link to thier lyrics for that album:

lyrics.rockmagic.net/lyrics/metallica/garage_days_re_revisited_1987.html
 
WOW! This was my first question posted on the forum and I couldn’t be more pleased your replies. To read this discussion from the faithful throughout the USA and Canada is incredible!

I shared these posts with my son and is more powerful than any words of wisdom I could have thought of or he would have listened to.

Amazingly my son attended morning mass with me. I couldn’t believe the first reading as the Carmelite nun read from the Prophet Amos “AWAY WITH YOUR NOISY SONGS!”

SO, he has heard concern from me and from you and even from the Carmelite nun. Now I only hope and pray he listens.
Thank you and God Bless you! Marie
 
Glad to help. God Bless you and your son. 👍

PS - Oh…the part about Slayer/Venom…they are out and out satanic bands. NO two ways about it.
Marie Margaret:
WOW! This was my first question posted on the forum and I couldn’t be more pleased your replies. To read this discussion from the faithful throughout the USA and Canada is incredible!

I shared these posts with my son and is more powerful than any words of wisdom I could have thought of or he would have listened to.

Amazingly my son attended morning mass with me. I couldn’t believe the first reading as the Carmelite nun read from the Prophet Amos “AWAY WITH YOUR NOISY SONGS!”

SO, he has heard concern from me and from you and even from the Carmelite nun. Now I only hope and pray he listens.
Thank you and God Bless you! Marie
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