Do you feel it is wrong to listen to secular music? Watch certain things? Read certain things? Go certain places? Hang out with certain people?
2007-10-02 16:52:52 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Country music. Frankly, "contemporary" Christian music BORES me. It is not wrong to listen to secular music, or watch TV/movies, read materials.... as long as you can distinguish what is "edifying" (building/supportive) to your spirt, and what degrades you or others.
Going certain places... hanging out with certain people... again, you should avoid places AND people which can "harm" your spirit, and be detrimental to your relationship with the Lord. I speak of places in which illegal, unethical, or immoral things are happening... these "interfere" with a positive relationship with God, and can draw you away from Him. People... well... evil people are certainly to be avoided... people like Hilter, say... but also people who are "negative" all the time. That's just bad for your personality in general. Find people who are positive, uplifting, faithful (if possible... because I cannot exclude non-believers... many are wonderful people to be around!), happy, etc. people... these "traits" can "rub off" on you, or at the very least not drag you down!
Have a blessed day.
2007-10-02 17:20:01 · answer #1 · answered by wyomugs 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My taste in music is all over the place. I grew up listening to 50's and 60's music, I listen to country, pop, rock, etc. I love most of the Contemporary Christian music out there, and some of the older hymns. I try not to listen to anything that has a lot of swearing in it, or songs that glorify sex outside of marriage, degrade women, etc.
As far as books go, I've read Harry Potter and loved it. I read books about vampires and other "supernatural" beings. They're just stories. I love to read, so I end up reading about all kinds of things.
You do have to watch the things you do and expose yourself to when you're a Christian. It can be hard to stay faithful if you are listening to music, or watching shows/movies with things that are questionable or hanging out with people who are doing things that are against the faith.. It doesn't mean you shut yourself off from the world, though. There has to be and can be a healthy balance.
2007-10-02 17:42:21 · answer #2 · answered by Sarah B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mostly, music that is uplifting or has a good message to it. I like some church hymns really well and do get teary-eyed at lots of Christmas and Easter songs that have a very deep meaning to me and my feelings towards our Savior. Some secular music is very good to listen to for just basic human emotions and situations...nothing that's degrading to God or people. We are bombarded daily by all sorts of non-Christian messages and articles so it's just part of weeding out the bad from the good and requires a good deal of correct judgement as do relationships.
We live in the world, but we don't have to be or should be "of" the world. If there was a law passed to jail all Christians, would you be convicted on your behavior?
2007-10-02 17:50:01 · answer #3 · answered by paul h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I listen to Christian music, country music and Oldies. I also listen to classical and Broadway. The only secular music I do not approve of is anything that has overt sexual content or is demeaning to any other race, belief or demeaning to women ( RAP Music) I watch pretty much anything I want. I do sensor things I believe are offensive to me or my beliefs. Same goes with books I read and places I go. As for people I have Christian friends as well as secular, Catholic, Mormon and pretty much every other religion or ethnicity. I am A Christian not a hermit or monk.
2007-10-02 17:02:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I listen to anything I want. I watch whatever I want. I definatly read whatever I want. And I hang with who I like at whever I like. But what is okay for me may not be okay for the next christain. As I grow spiritually, I lose interest in somthings or develope a new interest in some things. I trust the Holy spirit to Guide me and direct my path. My 14 year old and I share similar tastes as far as music goes. welisten to country ,rap, rock, alternative, if I like the song I listen to it. I am not easily offended. But I do have a rule that if my daughter is giong to listen to some of the music I do, she has to be able to explain what they are singing about to me. Only because I don't think kids need to be mindlessly singing and dancing or talkin about " ya 2pac!" if they don't know what the artist is trying to express.
2007-10-02 17:08:03 · answer #5 · answered by fullofideas4u 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being re-born, i.e. Christian changes the way a person looks at worldly things, or it should..... things like music, movies, books, places and yes even people..... Now, I speak ONLY for myself from this point.... I will first address the music issue, I seldom listen to any type of music, secular or otherwise, but when I do, I listen to gospel or nature sound tracks for meditation ...... I do on OCCASION listen to soft rock..... now for movies and such, nothing really bothers me, unless it just goes straight against my beliefs, such as horror movies with children, occults, demented people just going around killing such as Texas Chainsaw movies, or porn, etc......... Not that I am afraid or a prude, but I have a changed heart, so those types of movies just make NO sense to me........ and the same for reading stuff, I do like my romance novels tho.......and places, well, I seldom go to a bar, and that is ONLY about once a month with my husband who played on a pool league team..... as for people, I love people, but when it gets to a point they start to effect my life, thoughts, actions, etc., I slowly back off..... such as, I will NOT hang out with people who do drugs just to do them..... been there and done that........... well ok, there are the basics...... go in peace..... God bless
2007-10-02 17:06:33 · answer #6 · answered by Annie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am a Christian musician, i play in a band that plays at different functions for the church and on sunday worship services. if it wasn't for secular music, then i would not be a musician now. i truly believe that music is my calling in life. playing for god. and if i never listened to red hot chili peppers, and primus, metallica and all these secular bands, i never would have had such a strong love for music. as for everything else, it all depends on how you handle those things, for example harry potter, truly one of the best series written, but alot of christians say that it is wrong to read it... as long as you don't get this idea in your head that you are going to start learning witchcraft and casting spells at people, then there is nothing wrong with reading it. if you can hang out with those people and go to those parties without having to jeopardize your morals, then there is no harm, you have to have your priorities straight. i put my morals first, above all, and i will not break that. so i can hand out with the druggies, (who can actually be alot of fun) and never be tempted to do use myself.... hope this answers your question.
2007-10-02 17:02:48 · answer #7 · answered by ZaQ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The "line" should be
IS it pleasing or glorifying God or man?
I believe there are secular music that is OK but praise/worship music not only glorifies God, but uplifts your spirit.
Word to the wise: when you are not sure, but start justifying your reason for watching or reading something, then it is usually not right with God. Test everything.
One of the best things you can do is find a solid accountability partner. This helps both of you walk in the ways of the Lord.
Sometimes someone who is more mature can give you wisdom on these matters.
Blessings
2007-10-02 16:59:30 · answer #8 · answered by n9wff 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I listen to music that expresses the views of the band, whether I agree with what is said or not. I don't watch most movies because I find them inappropriate, and I avoid music that has large amounts of sexual innuendos or that has cursing in it. I am a student in college so I don't have much time to read. I don't go to dangerous places, places that could compromise my standards. And I chose my friends wisely.
2007-10-02 16:59:49 · answer #9 · answered by Stand In Holy Places 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
secular means of the world, and i think the world can often be a fantastic place. of course there's nothing sinful about secular things per se. the rest of your questions are a little vague - i think anyone with an ethical system (religious or otherwise) would say yes to all of those question given certain contexts.
2007-10-02 16:57:12 · answer #10 · answered by kujigafy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋