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This topic came up in my Theology class the other day, I figured it might start a lively discussion on the boards.

~The question was: Is it Christian-like to listen to music that doesn't mention God, but doesn't curse or talk about any immoral practices?~

We literally had almost equal sides arguing for each, so there were a fair amount of good points made for each.

Those who said no:
The Bible says that music is for praising and glorifying God and nothing else.
Most secular music has subtle hints at something sinful.
Why would someone want to listen to secular music, when there is equally good Christian music.

Those who said yes:
So you're saying it's wrong to listen to rock or jazz that has no lyrics?
If we listen to Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and many others in Music Appreciation, are you saying that we are sinning?
There are plenty of "Christian" bands that don't only make Christian music. (This sparked another discussion...)

What about Switchfoot, who is called a "Christian Band" and is in the Christian genre, but half of their songs have nothing to do with God?
Several others such as Relient K, Lifehouse, etc..


I'd like to point out that I am all for listening to non-Christian music as long as it doesn't cures or talk about anything immoral (too much). I listen to anything and everything in every genre.

Thanks,
Ben

Hey Lawfuldog, if you really want to spark discussion on this topic, you may want to check out the move Time Changer.

The movie's overall theme extends your question about music to the topic of morality at large.

I think it's perfectly fine to listen to Mozart. Non-lyrical songs aren't evil, and it isn't un-Christian-like to listen to them.

It's as simple as this: if music will cause you to sin in any way, don't listen to it. There aren't any songs that absolutely no one should be allowed to listen to; some people aren't morally affected by heavy metal or whatever (although I don't know anyone who would want to listen to people screaming into a microphone if he wasn't). But if you are negatively affected by a song, don't listen to it.

The Bible says that music is for praising and glorifying God and nothing else.

Where? :-p David played music all the time, it wasn't always about God (When curing saul's evil spirit)

Most secular music has subtle hints at something sinful.

True, but if thats an arguement, living should be a sin because just going out the door (At my house) I can see a sign for a pub which is hinting at being drunk :-p

Why would someone want to listen to secular music, when there is equally good Christian music.

Multiple reasons, There isn't equally good music that can compete with some older bands (imo) like queen secular or non nowadays. Because the secular music is better than the christian versions, because the secular band is unique (Trans siberian orchestra), etc.

I'm all for listening to secular music, Cursing bugs me a bit in it but 1 or 2 words a song is within tolerable limits. Suggestive songs don't bug me that much, maybe because anything can be made 'suggestive' but usually (not always) most of them don't bug me that much.

It's as simple as this: if music will cause you to sin in any way, don't listen to it. There aren't any songs that absolutely no one should be allowed to listen to; some people aren't morally affected by heavy metal or whatever (although I don't know anyone who would want to listen to people screaming into a microphone if he wasn't). But if you are negatively affected by a song, don't listen to it.

You sir win this thread, I agree. I used to listen to a song called 'Bed' which made me sin quite a bit (Do NOT go looking for the song) so I cut it out, yet I can listen to all the heavy metals I want and not be motivated to sin.

Sir Paul McCartney should be sainted along with Bob Dylan.

I'm sure we can find way more than three miracles.

Anyways, I view music as an art. Should we only look at paintings of Christ? Should we only read literature about Christ? Should we only read poetry that talks about Christ?

Personally, I like tragedies in all forms of literature. I just find happy endings too cliche. Because of this, it is impossible for me to find any Christian anything that fits this idea.
I also like abstract or chaotic paintings which obviously can't be said to reflect Christian values.


I think music is the same way. There are bad things in this world and people who go through a lot of hell. Music is a way of honouring those people. Music is a way for those people to express their soul. Don't get the impression I'm promoting emo music for us all to cry to, I'm just saying that something like Kanye West or Lil Wayne (although lyrically not kosher, using rap for an easy example) are a genuine expression of their heart on things. "Jesus Walks" is a good example of this.
Take a song like "There She Goes", by The La's. It's a song about heroin, but it's a beautiful song; the way that Hamlet is a beautiful play (though it is about trying to send someone's soul to hell).

Or look to punk or folk, the fuel for movements that brought political change (for better or worse). Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" or The Clash's "White Riot" are part of our history; they're the voices of people who lived through very different times than us.

There are also a great many secular songs that can have spiritual meaning to people. For example, when I saw Bruce Springsteen, I literally heard from God during "Born to Run"; there was something very spiritual about that whole concert. The Beatles, although completely secular, are responsible for all that we know and love today. We should honour them just as we'd honour Leonardo Davinci, or any other great artist. The Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses" was co-written with Gram Parsons (a Christian). As my dad put it, Brian Jones, Mick Jagger, and Gram Parsons went to Mick's house, shot some heroin, and wrote country songs. Despite this, the work is still glorious; it's a beautiful song no matter what drugs those who wrote it were on.

I don't think we should scapegoat music. If we did, we should throw out non-Christian literature, plays, poems, and art.

Just to throw this out there, I was pro listening to secular music, the points made on the other side were not mine.

Yes, they were easy to rebut. 

I agree that Colin put it very well in that Music is an art, and should be respected as an art.

i say soutern gospel is good

i say soutern gospel is good

I think you meant to say Southern Rock is good.   The Showdown   



Godspeed,
Mike

clean music is fine. music that promotes suggestive themes or have dirty little words are not fine. my opinion.

then again, Dead by Dawn certainly doesn't seem to fall into the clean catagory. but I love that song anyway...

do you mean Blindside-Fell in love with the game?

otherwise im lost

Quote from: RED on February 16, 2009, 07:09:19 PM

i say soutern gospel is good

I think you meant to say Southern Rock is good.   The Showdown   



Godspeed,
Mike

Are you 'Flirtin' with Disaster'?

Personally, I only drink milk from Christian Cows

Quote from: Sean on February 16, 2009, 12:58:02 PM

Quote

no i would have to say not, because it isnt worshiping GOD and so no it wouldnt call it sining but i wouldnt say it is christain like.

So if I listen to Beethoven, I am not being Christianlike?

if you listen to beethoven are you worshiping GOD? i said you wouldnt be sinning but you arent worshiping GOD.

No, but when you read shakespeare are you worshiping God?

No more than going to Disney Land is unchristian like. We do things to please God, and we do things to please ourselves. As long as the second doesn't interfere with the first, then you're good. 

Quote from: Colin Michael on February 16, 2009, 10:49:35 PM

Quote from: the musicain on February 16, 2009, 08:28:57 PM

Quote from: Sean on February 16, 2009, 12:58:02 PM

Quote

no i would have to say not, because it isnt worshiping GOD and so no it wouldnt call it sining but i wouldnt say it is christain like.

So if I listen to Beethoven, I am not being Christianlike?

if you listen to beethoven are you worshiping GOD? i said you wouldnt be sinning but you arent worshiping GOD.

No, but when you read Shakespeare are you worshiping God?

i donr care about shake spear his plays are dumb ther is a shake sper festival here in nevada and all the plays are dumb

The plays a certainly not "dumb".

The multiplicity of plots, themes, and hidden meanings in Shakespeare are more intricate than probably any other work of literature; not to mention half of our English colloquialisms (which are often even confused with scripture) come from Shakespeare.