The Problem with Christian Music

[Cacotopia]

Dave M. wrote a boat load of songs criticizing religion. 15 of em actually. Holy Wars....and the Punishment is Due being the most prominent.

Brother will kill brother spilling blood across the land
Killing for religion something I don't understand
And fools like me, who cross the sea and come to foreign lands
Ask the sheep, for their beliefs do you kill on God's command?
A country that's divided surely will not stand
My past erased, no more disgrace foolish naive stand
The end is near, it's crystal clear part of the master plan
Don't look now to Israel it might be your homelands

Holy wars

Upon my podium, as the know it all scholar
Down in my seat of judgment
Gavel's bang, uphold the law
Up on my soapbox, a leader out to change the world
Down in my pulpit as the holier than-thou-could-be-messenger of God

Wage the war on organized crime
Sneak attacks, repel down the rocks behind the lines
Some people risk to employ me some people live to destroy me
Either way they die, they die

They killed my wife and my baby, with hopes to enslave me
First mistake last mistake paid by the alliance, to slay all the giants
Next mistake no more mistakes

Fill the cracks in, with judicial granite
Because I don't say it, don't mean I ain't thinkin' it
Next thing you know, they'll take my thoughts away I know what I said, now I must scream of the overdose
And the lack of mercy killings, mercy killings, mercy killings
Killings killings killings
Next thing you know, they'll take my thoughts away, yeah

 

[Deeje]

Any music that draws attention to the artist is not Christian. If the performers outshine their music then they are seeking their own glory. If they make personal profit from their music, then its isn't for God or Christ....its for themselves.

If you can't tell "Christian" music from mainstream rock music then it is just worldly music with slightly different words. If you can't tell the difference, that pretty much says it all. We are not supposed to be part of this world.

JW's have their own music that is just for us. We enjoy it, for free.....but you won't hear it on any mainstream outlets.

These are two of my favorites....

Jehovah's Witnesses BROADCASTING

Jehovah's Witnesses BROADCASTING

 

[Shiranui117]

Personally, I don't listen to Christian music so I have no opinion of it. However, I happened on this video by chance and thought the Christians here might be interested in taking a look.


As pointed out, it lacks creativity. In fact, other than a difference in the lyrics, it doesn't seem one wit different from secular music, and maybe this is done on purpose. Both seem to lack an astounding amount of originality. So, excluding the differences in lyrics, perhaps a better title here would be The Problem with Today's Popular Music.

Give a listen and let me know what you think.

.​

Yeah, it's all pretty vapid, meaningless, and all pretty much the same. Christian Contemporary Music in a nutshell:

 

[TheBannerofHomuraAkemi]

Personally, I don't listen to Christian music so I have no opinion of it. However, I happened on this video by chance and thought the Christians here might be interested in taking a look.


As pointed out, it lacks creativity. In fact, other than a difference in the lyrics, it doesn't seem one wit different from secular music, and maybe this is done on purpose. Both seem to lack an astounding amount of originality. So, excluding the differences in lyrics, perhaps a better title here would be The Problem with Today's Popular Music.

Give a listen and let me know what you think.

.​

He's right. Christian music is bland and boring. I can only listen to it occasionally.

The funny thing is a lot of Christian rap is more Christian then mainstream Christian artist, but it gets flagged down because it's rap.

 

[Sir Doom]

Tom Araya from Slayer is a Catholic.

So, if that makes Slayer Christian music then I love it.

Edit: I'm particularly fond of the mighty Christian anthem New Faith on their album God Hates Us All.

 

[blü 2]

Both seem to lack an astounding amount of originality. So, excluding the differences in lyrics, perhaps a better title here would be The Problem with Today's Popular Music.

Give a listen and let me know what you think.

Looks as though the churches proceed in ignorance of four centuries (or more) of some of the most powerful and affecting music ever written: the best known, such as Handel's Messiah, Bach's Magnificat, Mozart's Requiem, (and Dvořák's and Verdi's and Fouré's) are just the tip of a glorious iceberg.

But do those many people who go to church because they find the ritual stabilizing and reassuring really want variety in their songs and hymns? Or do they just want their weekly dose of stabilization and reassurance?

 

[Shadow Wolf]

The funny thing is a lot of Christian rap is more Christian then mainstream Christian artist, but it gets flagged down because it's rap.

I noticed that when I was a Christian. Outside of Gospel and very blatantly Christian bands like News Boys, Christian rap tended to be easily identifiable as Christian and promote Christian values. Very much unlike bands like Circle of Dust, who though technically Christian, you'd never really think it hearing a song like Contagion.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Tom Araya from Slayer is a Catholic.

So, if that makes Slayer Christian music then I love it.

Edit: I'm particularly fond of the mighty Christian anthem New Faith on their album God Hates Us All.

If you go by the standards of some, lol. But going by that same standard, it's Christian/Satanic music (such a paradoxical contradiction must be why they are so awesome). I think I'll start using Tom Araya singing such lyrics to crowds that tend to be rather "**** Christianity" to argue why Christian cake bakers need to quit crying over cakes for gay weddings. The baker doesn't want to make a cake for a gay couple, but Araya performs before crowds who would eagerly shred the book his religion is based on. Who's beliefs are really being put on blast and standing on compromised grounds?

 

[Misunderstood]

Personally, I don't listen to Christian music so I have no opinion of it. However, I happened on this video by chance and thought the Christians here might be interested in taking a look.


As pointed out, it lacks creativity. In fact, other than a difference in the lyrics, it doesn't seem one wit different from secular music, and maybe this is done on purpose. Both seem to lack an astounding amount of originality. So, excluding the differences in lyrics, perhaps a better title here would be The Problem with Today's Popular Music.

Give a listen and let me know what you think.

.​

Wow Skwim, are we going to have a conversion right here on RF? First in another thread you are using the Bible for support, and now we have you listening to Christian music. If you do decide to come over please put this onas your coming to the fun side.

 

[iam1me]

Focusing on Christian Music specifically, I do find a lot of it pretty boring. However, I do know musicians who come out with some pretty good stuff, even if they aren't widely known. For instance...

 

[TheBannerofHomuraAkemi]

I noticed that when I was a Christian. Outside of Gospel and very blatantly Christian bands like News Boys, Christian rap tended to be easily identifiable as Christian and promote Christian values. Very much unlike bands like Circle of Dust, who though technically Christian, you'd never really think it hearing a song like Contagion.

I know. They promote bands like circle of dust and skillet who are not christian bands, but use the Christian base to try and promote themselves into mainstream music. But condemn artist like Gospel Gangsters and Gritz.

 

[Trailblazer]

I didn't look at it... but as @Cacotopia said, mainstream music is not much different.

Have you expanded your viewing to other genres?

Thanks for sharing that video, I love that song.
I love Christian music and I listen to it for about three hours a day on my way to and from work on my bike.

Here is one of my favorite songs.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I know. They promote bands like circle of dust and skillet who are not christian bands, but use the Christian base to try and promote themselves into mainstream music. But condemn artist like Gospel Gangsters and Gritz.

Yup. Imagine my confusion when Spotify, when showing me a list of black and death metal, bands using Satanic imagery, and straight up anti-Christian bands like Slayer and Psyclon Nine, I am recommended a station called "Jesus is Alright with Me." Came to find out this is because it throws Circle of Dust into my industrial-electronic based stations, and it's like seriously, where is this supposed to be Christian?

 

[Trailblazer]

Focusing on Christian Music specifically, I do find a lot of it pretty boring. However, I do know musicians who come out with some pretty good stuff, even if they aren't widely known. For instance...

That is kind of odd.... I am a Baha'i and I find Baha’i music pretty boring but I do not find Christian music boring at all. I like every song on KLOVE Radio and I listen to it for hours a day.

 

[iam1me]

That is kind of odd.... I am a Baha'i and I find Baha’i music pretty boring but I do not find Christian music boring at all. I like every song on KLOVE Radio and I listen to it for hours a day.

Ew.. i hate KLOVE.

 

[Trailblazer]

Ew.. i hate KLOVE.

Is it the music or something else you don't like?
I can do without some of the talk.

 

[iam1me]

Is it the music or something else you don't like?
I can do without some of the talk.

Partly the music, but probably mostly the hosts and advertisements. And the bad theology. Also the whole fake-feel good vibe they got going on....

Yea, I think its that fake feel good thing that bugs me most. And it's so common in churches and religious events, music, etc. blah >.<

 

[osgart]

Isnt music all about motivation. If you are in it for money and/or fame, it aint going to be very good.

The artists that are very good want to express something about life.

 

[Jumi]

It's better if the musician is thinking about making good music that feels right to him, rather than have the music follow whatever he wants to promote, whether it's his religion or a commercial product.

 

[Socratic Berean]

I listen to a wide range of music that is commonly labeled “Christian”—from Gregorian chant to Eastern Orthodox praise, to folk classics indistinguishable from James Taylor (Jim Cole, for example). Growing up, I was familiar with the work of Christian metal groups, like Stryker, and Christian rap (DC Talk), as well as alternative, such as Jars of Clay, and even pop ( Steve Taylor, etc.). That said, the post subject line, “ The Problem With Christian Music,” naturally caught my attention.

Reading the post, however, it focuses on a perceived lack of originality in one song from one one band representing one genre and is drafted by a poster who admits they don’t listen to Christian music and don’t have an opinion. So...what, indeed, is the “problem” with Christian music? (Or is this just another case of inflammatory baiting in the guise of discussion?)