Is it wrong to base your personal spirituality on the works of Pink Floyd and the Beatles?

Question

The more I think about it, the more I realize that my personal spirituality is more in line with songs such as "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Breathe" than any dogma of an organized religion.

And when you get right down to it, is there any differance between reading the words written by man in the Bible and applying them to your life, or listening to the words sung by man on Dark Side of the Moon or the White Album and doing the same?

I'm not suggesting that I have alters to these musical artists or that I pray to them for guidence, more like I listen to what they have to say and think "Yeah... I can dig that."

What do you think of this? Wrong? Right? Crazy?

In closing, I'll leave you with my favorite scene from the movie Michael.

"Remember what John and Paul said."
"The Apostles?"
"No, the Beatles. All you need is love."

Hey, you respect my music gods, I'll respect yours, Ray J.

You too badtricky. :p

You too badtricky. :p

Yes, Miss k. Quite serious. :)

Jesus Freak, it is an attitude like yours that pushed me away from organized religion. Good job!

Nope Miss k, haven't for quite some time.

Answer 1

As long as you follow your beliefs and act with them in mind, it's never wrong.

Answer 2

I guess it depends on how you apply 'spirituality' to music. I like Pink Floyd and the Beatles. I think that David Gilmore is nothing less than a guitar genius, but that has nothing to do with my spirituality.

Music can get me in the mood to think of spiritual things, but it does not head my spirituality.

Now is it wrong for you? Not if you don't think there is. I am a Christian, I've posted answers to your questions as another user, so I don't know if you remember me, it's just that you are here a lot.

Is there something that makes you think that this part of the site is important to your spirituality as well?

Answer 3

No, it's not wrong, but it will wear a little thin, and I doubt will stand the test of time, as far as spirituality is concerned. There are lots of different kinds of musicians and artists that I have used in my faith life. Everything from the Beatles to Leonard Cohen to the Grateful Dead, but it doesn't have the same authority as writings that have been around a couple thousand years or more.

Answer 4

I don't think it is all that bad man. I went through a similar period, but if we look at the song Strawberry Fields, 'Living is easy with your eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see." I think there is an invitation to a Spiritual presence in your life. I'm just saying that to use the ideas in some of the songs as a philosophy of life is OK, but to base your spirit in them is a little crazy, not wrong, but crazy.

Answer 5

Well maybe if you consider the lyrics to this Pink Floyd song and then....

Time - Pink Floyd

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an off hand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way

Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun

And you run and you run to catch up with the sun, but its sinking
And racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in the relative way, but youre older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death

...consider what the Bible has to say, you might be on to something.

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 5:15-20)

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Answer 6

What's wrong?

Well, as someone who used to be a hard core rock fan with Pink Floyd as one of my favorite bands of not the favorite band, I would like to answer that question:

Rock music is spiritual. It deals with the very issues of life that Religion tries to deal with. This rock music is from satan and these rock bands are like the priests of rock and roll studying it's deepest themes of death, drugs, and sexual perversion, as well as world peace and harmony and how we as people can deal with the struggles in life. I have no doubt that many people's devotion to the message of rock and roll is the same as in many religions as they too live out the message in the music.

Rock and roll religion will lead to death and destruction because it is from the devil. This is quite clear by simply taking a look at the lives of those who live the rock and roll death style. If you follow, you will go where they are going - off the rails on a crazy train to death and destruction. With an empty heart and a life left where you feel like you had something more to say, but that's it.

Jesus is the light of the world. Those who have truly followed him have found his promises are true and their soul is satisfied. Jesus gives us eternal life and the relationship with true God who loves us and is the Almighty. He has blessed me beyond words. One day I shall see my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please visit this site:

http://www.lwf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dis_WhoIsJesus

Answer 7

I like the Fab Four too, but I couldn't base a religion on them.

What about "Run For Your Life"...should I be abusive to women?

What about "Happiness Is A Warm Gun" ...that's not a good one either with the 10-20-Life laws now

Or "Revolution I" where John says, concerning destruction, etc., "You can count me IN"?

Or what about "Octopuses Garden"...they bite! Ouch!

And what about "Come Together"...Here Come Ole Flatop/He Come Groovin Up Slowly/He Got Ju Ju Eyeball"...etc...it would take me years to figure out the theology of that one! You might as well run off and join Scientology!

And of course "Hey Majesty"...getting drunk and defiling the political figurehead of the UK is just something I don't want to do. Not to mention I'd be in hot water with my wife! And what does the missing note at the end signify???

So, I still stick to Jesus. He said a lot stuff about love too.

and you people giving me thumbs down need to get a freakin' sense of humor!

And ALI down below...we've all heard of Islam. It's why I have to take my shoes off when I go to the airport, because of all that "love". Thanks for the sales pitch though. http://usminc.org/islam.html.

Answer 8

I know you won't like to here this, but music and indeed musicians can become false idols when people begin to worship them, even if their intentions in doing so are good, as I'm sure yours are.

Sure, the Beatles preached the same message as Jesus (all you need is love), but they didn't live sinless lives like He did to show you HOW to love.

To answer your question, I would say that yes it is wrong, but mostly it is just being lost or misguided to base your deepest and most meaningful beliefs upon the words of men when God gave us His word, which true believers have no doubt is never wrong.

Answer 9

You asked this earlier (yes I am that bored today that Ive seen every question here since 10 am this morning) but I still think its a good question anyway.


"Cant keep my eyes off the circling skies
Tongue tied and twisted
Just an Earthbound misfit , I "

"Breathe, Breathe in the air...
Dont be affraid to care
Leave, but dont leave me
Look around
Choose your own ground"

Answer 10

Nothing wrong with it at all. I base some of my beliefs on some good songs I've heard, like the song "Practice What You Preach" by Hank Jr.

...."Go out and go after the things in life you love"...

Answer 11

Basing your spirituality on the Beatles is just plain silly. Pink Floyd on the other hand I could see that with a little Tull thrown in for good measure.

Edit: I'm just funnin'. The Beatles are fine I guess and thanks for the giggle.