Singer/songwriter here. need your help

[Stephentlig]

Hello. For years I was a singer/songwriter and I gave it up when I came home to the Church. I feel that I can now return to it with a different attitude than before. I am now married and in need of getting a job but I cant even get the most simple job here in Ireland at the moment. Currently I’ve just finished up in the studio a piece that I’m doing for a placement for film and tv.

My question is ultimately this. Is it morally wrong of me to allow one of my songs to be given to a channel/film that has rude language in it or anything at all that contradicts the faith either directly or indirectly? It’s a dog eat dog world out there in which it seems that any profession we take up, our faith is immediately challenged like being a doctor for example whose faith is always challenged when it comes to the horrible crime of abortion and contraception.

Which is why I’d always prefer to be someones gardener at the end of the day than having to do this. But it’s the only thing I have that can give me a career ( I think ).

Thanks for all your help
In Christ
Stephen

 

[Lucysmom]

Start pulling weeds; always in style being a “gardener!”

Remember Mary Magdalen thinking Jesus was the gardener?

And don’t even think about compromising your Christian values. It doesn’t pay!

 

[Stephentlig]

Start pulling weeds; always in style being a “gardener!”

Remember Mary Magdalen thinking Jesus was the gardener?

And don’t even think about compromising your Christian values. It doesn’t pay!

I’m not talking about compromising my faith. But asking is it acceptable to put a song ( and let me say that before my conversion my songs never had any profanity or straight forward bad philosophy in them that would compromise the faith ) up for a film that uses bad language here and there?

Anything that compromises the faith does not get accepted by me and would rather eat peanuts for breakfast knowing that I’m doing good in the eyes of the Lord.

 

[tlimon]

@Stephen

The channel seems irrelevant to me. What matters is the content of the studio piece. If the studio piece is below moral standards as a Catholic then you might have some harder issues to wade through. I have issues with the “Fotress Catholicism” mindset. In a media driven world we cannot retreat behind the walls of our castle and act defensively. We need to be proactive.

We need people like yourself influencing and engaging in cultural mediums. Keep making art. I am not one to advocate making “Catholic music” or “Catholic painting.” But as a Catholic make music or make paintings. You know what I mean? There is a difference between things that are overtly Catholic and things that are not overtly Catholic but are, in fact, deeply Catholic.

Western civilization is making ugly things. We need to raise an army of Catholic artists to take back our culture for the Faith with prose, paint brushes, and pottery wheels.

Best regards,

Thomas

p.s. There is nothing shameful about being a gardener. Nothing.

 

[Stephentlig]

@Stephen

The channel seems irrelevant to me. What matters is the content of the studio piece. If the studio piece is below moral standards as a Catholic then you might have some harder issues to wade through. I have issues with the “Fotress Catholicism” mindset. In a media driven world we cannot retreat behind the walls of our castle and act defensively. We need to be proactive.

We need people like yourself influencing and engaging in cultural mediums. Keep making art. I am not one to advocate making “Catholic music” or “Catholic painting.” But as a Catholic make music or make paintings. You know what I mean? There is a difference between things that are overtly Catholic and things that are not overtly Catholic but are, in fact, deeply Catholic.

Western civilization is making ugly things. We need to raise an army of Catholic artists to take back our culture for the Faith with prose, paint brushes, and pottery wheels.

Best regards,

Thomas

p.s. There is nothing shameful about being a gardener. Nothing.

Why is everybody talking about nothing being shameful about being a gardener? Laughing his his head off lol I know there is nothing shameful about any low/high job as long as its in good standing with our faith.

My music ( www.taxi.com/stephenmcelligott ) has never taken the shape of anti-catholic or profanity type stuff. It’s just bright and happy clappy music if you know what I mean. I write Catholic songs too and my dad is the families best Catholic songwriter. But I also need to bring in an income for my Wife and new - born son. I dont have the level of education many others do, and finding jobs without experience needed is difficult in these times. I’ve even went in and asked to work for free but cant even get that much

With film and tv placement you can get either a 5 to 25k return on each listing. This would come as a great help to my young boys Catholic homeschooling and further education along with providing a bigger home for more children in the future and keeping them out and away from bad and run down areas like the one I’m in now. St.Paul said those who dont work shouldnt eat. And this music is ‘‘work’’ for me. Not something I completely enjoy doing but nonetheless have to, to bring home the money ( that tainted thing ).

It is my duty as a Catholic father to do this. Believe me I am seriously torn about it but nothing else I can do. I’ve exhausted all avenues as to other means of having a career but no joy. Having to mention prideful stuff just to sell myself in my biography like ‘‘Stephen is great’’ or ‘‘he is amazing’’ and so on really does get to me a lot. I hate it but whats a man to do? sigh

Lord have mercy

Stephen

 

[hazcompat]

for what its worth

there are a number of rating systems for films. just because someone uses profanity does not make it morally offensive. as long as the film accurately depicts reality, and does not exaggerate for the sake of shock or make sin appear acceptable, i see no problem with your good work being a rose among thorns.

imagine a bar scene in an irish movie. what kind of reality is a lack of pints and pipes? the tempereance league may object, but the film conveys the world as it is. i would not use my talent for unmotivated and gratuitous immodesty for the sake of profit. if the film has value, contribute by all means.

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Cor. 6:12) Live in the power of the spirit and be at peace.

 

[Stephentlig]

for what its worth

there are a number of rating systems for films. just because someone uses profanity does not make it morally offensive. as long as the film accurately depicts reality, and does not exaggerate for the sake of shock or make sin appear acceptable, i see no problem with your good work being a rose among thorns.

imagine a bar scene in an irish movie. what kind of reality is a lack of pints and pipes? the tempereance league may object, but the film conveys the world as it is. i would not use my talent for unmotivated and gratuitous immodesty for the sake of profit. if the film has value, contribute by all means.

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Cor. 6:12) Live in the power of the spirit and be at peace.

Thank you for your post. It was extremely helpful.

Pax
Stephen