Is listening to any type of music a sin?

Question

If so, what type of music. Mainly i'm asking about rap music.

Answer 1

I don't think God cares about something as minute as what kind of music you listen to. It's what you believe and do with your life that matters. And not all rap is bad. There's plenty of meaningful rap out there.

Answer 2

Ha, ha, I was just thinking of that. LOL. Before rap was around, rock was in question, you know if you can play the track backwards, you will hear something about Satan and all that. And I'm not naive about rap, I know there's a lot of inappropriate songs out there from rappers. But I like rap mainly for it's hard edge core and beats. If you're a mature person, then rap won't affect you at all. I don't think music can actually provoke violence in a person, but that's up for debate, and you should listen to whatever you want. So, listening to any music is not a sin. How you react to it is your problem.

Answer 3

I don't believe that simply listening to music, no matter what the lyrics, is a sin. It is no more "sinful" to listen to people singing or talking about "sinful" acts than it is to watch people performing "sinful" acts in a movie or TV show. Life is about choices. If you act based on your own best judgement and morals, then you will not be swayed to commit "sins" based on what you hear or see. I doubt that many people are persuaded to sin because of a song they listened to or a show they watched. You mention that you are mainly concerned with rap music. Rap seems to be one way that some people are best able to describe their negative feelings and things that have happened to them in the past (which of course is not always the case; rap can be joyful and happy as well), but the type of rap you are thinking of may be these people's way of expressing these feelings without actually committing any sin. People who listen to rap may relate to these feelings, and it may give them the same outlet that it gives the performer - a non-harmful one. By the way, there are many POP songs that are just as leud and "sinful" as many rap songs. For example, a current hit by "Rihanna" called "Unfaithful" describes how she cheats on her boyfriend. Would you consider this a sin? Perhaps you would consider what she describes to be a sin, but by listening to her song, you cannot truly believe that YOU are committing a sin. Honestly, these days you couldn't turn on the radio if that was the case! Sins are committed when you consciously do something that you know is wrong and goes against God's will (if that is your belief). Just the same, I might steer clear of Satanic chants and such...but regular radio music is fine.

Answer 4

I don't think listening to any type of music, including rap, is a sin, if it provides you with enjoyment and maybe you relate to the music or words in some personal way that is meaningful to you.

Almost anything good can be twisted to be bad, and there are some well-known examples of "strong" or anti-society, anti-culture, anti-religion etc lyrics in rap, in some cases done by some of the top rap artists.

But you can choose not to listen to rap music or particular rap artists, or any kind of music, that you don't think is suitable for you personally because you don't enjoy it or it offends you.

But in general, listening to any music, rap or any kind, is not a sin. Otherwise where would religious music and songs fit in?

Answer 5

Some religions believe listening to any music is bad. I don't believe that listening to any type of music a sin. Unless it's music made by racist bands (like White Power bands), in which case, you should NOT listen to them.

Answer 6

OK first of what does your conscious say? your conscious is simply the holy spirit. If you are feeling like its wrong than maybe you shouldn't listen to rap. I don't think listening to rap is a sin but rap that is not Christian is not edifying christ so it is useless in your walk with him. Also think about this. if you have a friend in your car that is not a christian and you are listing to rap music is that bringing him any closer to Christ. probably not so consider that as well

Answer 7

NO!

I was raised that Rock and ROll was a sin.
The music itself is just music, The lycrics however can help lead you to do sinful things. Like drugs
and premarital sex.

As far as rap "music" I think that condoning stuff
like killing people for fun and running around raping women wouldn't be the thing I'd want my children listening to, but is it a sin?
Probably not.

Answer 8

There was alot of music and songs in the bible, so music is not a sin. It depends what the lyrics are. No matter how "heavy" music is, doesnt make it a sin unless the lyrics are sexual, foul, blasphemous, etc... From what I understand there are christian forms of every genre, even christian lyrics to Anti-christian styles of playing music, such as black metal and grindcore.

Answer 9

If you idolize music it can become a sin but merely listening to something is alright...

Also, if you listen to rap just to excite the anger/lust/hate (or "realness") in your heart than it can become a sin too... Songs that really really degrade women or human sexuality should be avoided not because listening to it is a sin, but because no one really needs that kind of influence in their life.

Answer 10

That is only a judgement you can make. I have heard some rap music that was quite nice. You have the ability to judge for yourself if the words in a song are appropriate.