Question towards Christians?

Question

What is your opionion on rap and hip hop music. I can remember huge conflicts between religious groups and the hip hop community form the 90's and some that are still going on today. Do you think that it is the devils work? Is there a place at all for it in society? Detailed answer appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your thoughtful opinions.

Answer 1

oh ym goodness, you just answered my prayers. tonight was my highschool's first dance of the year, 80's theme. i thought about going, but i don't like the idea of thrusting ym body against someone elses. i HATE the music, and i don't like to dress up. I was struggling wiht this all week. i finally decided i didn't want ot go, because i didn't think it was christan. the music glorifies sex and drugs, people drink,and the dancing is extremely inappropriate. I didn't want to be apart of something that supports or promotes that.

I thought it was what God wanted. then, just 15 MINUTES AGO!! my friends, who were all going to the dance, decided to comeover an suprise attack me and take me to the dance. they had an 80's dance outfit all ready for me, and we waiting. But i said no. i didn't want to, i wanted to take a stand.

So i was just sitting here saying, did i do the right thing? Is the music and dancing really all that bad? So i was feeling a little down and confused.

I was searching yahoo and came to the answers. I Said to God, I'm going to click page ten, and if i don't find some sort of questiont that and help me feel better, somehting about how the music and dance is really unchristian, i'm giving up and being a bum for the rest of the night. and sure enough...you posted this question.

I know this is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more of an answer then you asked for, but just know, you really helped me, and i think rap and hip hop is devilish. it's a part of our culture that tries to make us feell it's ok to have premarital sex and do drugs.

I won't get sucked in.

Answer 2

I think it depends on the type of rap and hip hop music. A lot of it in the secular world focuses on sex nad drugs and stuff.. But there's also Christian rap and Hip hop like T-bone. And not all of that kind of music is bad. There are some artists that keep there music clean. So, I think it may have started as "the devil's work" but Christians have turned it into something more pleasing to God. So yea there is a place for appropriate rap and hip hop in society.

Answer 3

Dear Native,

i think that Rap and Hip Hop as a genre of music is great. It's great to listen to and dance to. However, not all of it is wholesome. i think Rap gets a (pardon the pun) bad rap because it is often associated with violence, sex, and ghetto life. Having tutored in the inner city- i understand that - this is the way life is sometimes for those who grow up in that environment and it's a way to express their culture.

Anything in general can be good or bad- considering the message it sends.

i think some rap, some hip hop has some evil intentions that are definitely influenced by Satan and worldly values- but so does other types of music like Metal, etc.

It's not the type of music, it's the message of the music.

Personally as a youth pastor i love rap and hip hop-- but admittedly much of the popular stuff i don't listen to because garbage in- garbage out- and i don't think it's all that healthy having 12 and 13 years old sining songs about getting freaking, having babies, and shooting people, etc.

Not all music has this message.

Hope this helps,

Nickster

Answer 4

Even some fundamentalist Christians, such as myself, believe that it is not the "style" of the song that is forbidden but the "content and message' of the song that is opposed.
I listen to rap and hip hop music but I don't listen to songs where every other word is the "F" word and they are glorifying the use of drugs. I like some of Kanye West's music. I also like the songs by RJ Kelly and Eminem that aren't filled with profanity, sex, drugs, and violence. (the world's greatest, I believe I can Fly)
There are Christian rap and hip hop groups that have a totally Christian message. So, it is not the style of music but the content or the message it contains

Answer 5

Rap is not one of my favorites, but along with Heavy Metal, they tend to be the more radical and anti-society, of the singing genres.
Of course there have been anti-society musical groups, and individuals for a very long time! In the fifties it was Rock and Roll, and while I don't see that having changed, Rap simply becomes more of an ethnic "griping about the man."
I believe that we have simply become deaf to the crap put out by the Rock bands, and since Rap is relatively new, it tends to grate on the ears of normal society...at least the "gangsta" Rap, anyway.

Answer 6

Depends upon the following:

1. Can lyrics be displeasing to the Lord?
2. Can music/melodies, etc.. be displeasing to the Lord?
3. What part of Hip Hop might be displeasing to the Lord and why?

Answer 7

As with any music, you gotta look at the lyrics and the music... are they positive and life-bringing or do they create feelings of despair, anger, lust, etc.? Much mainstream rap music today is so egocentric, talking about how much one has, how great the artist is, or how they get busy with women, etc.... in light of the second greatest commandment, "Love others as you would love yourself," is that "me" attitude very holy?

Once again, as with any music, look at the lyrics and see what the message is. Also pay attention to how the artist lives his/her life: do you agree with it. I.E. Kurt Franklin recently admitted a problem with pornography... it takes a lot of courage to admit that and to try to step away from it in a culture where it's so accepted.

Answer 8

Tough. I'll try. One problem with rap is that its artistic value as music is questionable. It might better fit poetry than music. A problem with both is that they tend to promote things and activities which are contrary to Christian lifestyle. I am referring to drugs and sex and unprovoked violence. If the words were not so offensive and the actions of the "artists" were not so crude, then these things might be better appreciated. It is similar to presenting a beautiful steak on a trash can lid. No matter how clean the lid is, it is still a trash can lid. Who wants to eat off that?

Answer 9

I am a Christian and I beleive it isn't the type of music so much as the content. Does it demean another human being or promote violence. Remember the church was against rock and roll in the 50's and now there are many Christian rock bands. i think it;s okay to listen to it myself. My son when he was 14 said it well. he said that you don't get your morals from songs or tv or movies. i think if we just remember that music and tv is just entertainment and not let it influence our lives we will be ok.

Answer 10

If Rap or Hip Hop music distracts you from Spiritual Growth. Yes, you should avoid it. This is not limited to just "Rap", this is most anything in life, I guess.

Do Not Quench the Spirit
Ephesians 4:30
A campfire needs fuel to burn. Campers will add dry sticks and leaves to keep the flames high and hot, but when it is time to sleep, they will either starve the fire or forcibly put it out with water or dirt.
The Lord has lit a fire in every believer’s heart. We must learn to heed Paul’s warning against quenching the Spirit and tend the flame of faith with care (1 Thessalonians 5:19). A newly saved person is sealed forever as a child of God by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Nothing can expel Him from their being. But with our actions and attitudes, we can stifle His voice. As Christians, we are to walk by the Spirit, relying upon Him to give guidance and fulfill our needs. When we choose to sin, however, the Spirit of God is muffled and consequently unable to operate as He normally does. It is as if we throw cold water on our heart’s fire.
Saying no when the Spirit prompts us to obey is rebellion. If we do not prayerfully deal with the fallout from our disobedience, we begin to drift away from the Lord. Other interests pull our attention away from reading the Bible and talking with God. Church loses its appeal. Our hungering and thirsting after the things of Christ wanes so we cease to feed our soul. Our faith fire slowly starves into ash.
Believers must fuel their flame with spiritual “kindling” — prayer, reading God’s Word, sharing the Gospel, and serving others. A hot fire has cleansing power. When we confess our sins and practice these disciplines, our heart stays clean. And the power of God flows through a clean heart.
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Good Q*.
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