Ok, i'm super confused?

Question

I go to church, I believe in God, but I don't listen to "christian" music. I listen to punk/rock/screamo/emo stuff. At my church, that's grounds for going to hell. I'm trying to tell my youth leader that I think I can listen to what ever music I want to and still be a christian. They even took so far as to burning cd's!
Idk about you but I think that's exbiting "Cult" like behavior..
anyway
what are your veiws on this:
can you listen to "bad" music and still be a christian?

we are a "southern" baptisit church

they also talk crap about me and my friends, Brad & Clint all the time! about the music and stuff we listen to. I've heard about this on numerous occassions.

Oh yeah!
And one person in my church wished death on a band i like. And a few days ago, one of the member died!
RIP:Casey Calvert
of Hawthorne Heights
<3

Answer 1

You can not serve two masters. I think by listening to bad music you are definetaly not serving God.

Romans 13:14
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Answer 2

I think your church is taking too harsh of a stand on it, but it is based on a good point...you should strive, as a Christian, to live in a way that pleases God. If you don't care about pleasing Him, then you need to figure out if He's really your Lord.

Do I think you can listen to secular music and still be a Christian? Yes. I have many friends that listen to secular music, and they are strong Christians.

However, what place does that music have in your life? If God asked you to give it up, could you? Would you be willing to do that, or does it hold such a strong place on your priority list that you would really debate which is more important to you - God or the music? That is where the real question lies.

There comes a time (or several times) when God does ask you to blindly trust him - either to leave something that you feel is important to follow him, or to give up something that is starting to take His place. This is what you have to watch out for - which has the stronger "voice" in your life? God, or your music?

If you truly place God as your top priority, and you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, then your music choices are between you and God. Your youth leader is there to counsel you, but ultimately, it's between you and God.

If you don't place God as #1, and/or you haven't accepted Jesus, then you really need to talk with your youth leader or another leader you trust about what it means to be a Christian...then go from there with the music and whatever else.

At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter much what your youth leader thinks...and he'd probably be the first to tell you that. It matters what God thinks. And that's something you can only find out by asking Him :-)

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

I have a son who listens to emo music- and I have to admit that I do have a problem with some of the lyrics. About your church saying that you will go to hell, for listening- that is not possible , if you know Jesus- however I must ask you, would God be pleased with the lyrics of the songs you listen too- do they contradict the word of God? My son is a Christian however listening to this music has caused him to pull away from some of the basic truths of scripture- so I kind of wish I would have warned him. There are some very good secular rock, etc and then there is bad. Just be careful that this music does not take place of worshiping God.- then it will be a problem.

Answer 4

You are suppose to be surrounding yourself with things that uplift you and make you a better person. Can you really say that a lot of the music you are listening to does that?

I hardly ever listen to church music and never listen to christian rock, cuz I think it is actually kind of disrespectful. I like rock and pop, but I try to limit the music to stuff that doesnt have cussing or themes that mock things that shouldnt be mocked. I think that some music can cross a line just like movies and tv can at times.'

You need to decide if the music you are listening to is bringing the type of spirit or environment you really want to be surrounded by at any given time. Only you can really figure out where that line is.



I dont see anything wrong with a church condemning certain types of music. Burning cds may be a bit extreme, but it might have just been to make a point or to give people an outlet to prove their commitement to not listening to certain music. There is some really really bad music out there. Music that talks of killing people and hurting people and has zero respect for anyone or anything. Music most definetly can set a specific mood on someone. Put on some heavy metal death music and then put on some mellow classical music and you will create a much different environment and you will actually mentally change your mood. This is proven. It is completely proven that music changes a persons mental state of mind.
For a church to instruct people, esp younger people, to stay away from music that brings down their mood or theis souls is perfectly legit. I would never ever want my kids to listen to some of the rap crap or emo or metal death music out there.

Answer 5

Yes dear girl you can listen to your music and be a follower of Christ. What you are experiencing is embarrassing and unfortunate, it is called "legalism".

This problem happens when immature people begin to act as if rules that they made up are found in scripture. Music style is not found anywhere in scripture.

A few things that are condemned in scripture are being judgmental, gossiping and wishing evil on someone. These are marks of people who have badly strayed from the path that Jesus left for us.

All of this said, there is music with lyrics and a lifestyle which as a follower of Christ you should use your own judgement on. I am sure you will make the right decision. However, this is simply an issue of becoming more mature in the Lord and not terribly serious at all.

Relax, pray, read your Bible and know that your God loves you how you are. He will lead you into the things he wants for you to do. You sound mature to me.

Answer 6

I think they are over reacting. It's been my experience kids will do things like listen to the rougher side of secular music and stuff like that. For most people it turns out to be a phase they go through and sooner or later they turn to something else because eventually it gets old. The problem with it however, is there's always the chance when someone is weak or doubting in their faith, they could begin following unchristian lifestyles and become influenced by the artists or the music, so the "adults" react by slamming anything which isn't strictly Christian oriented. I'd say not to argue with them because you are not going to change their minds. If your faith is strong and your heart is right with God it won't affect you and you'll probably move on to something else after the newness wears off. Be smart enough to know however, if you feel yourself drifting in your heart, then back off. God may be in control of the world but remember you still have free will so he may not stop you if your faith begins to weaken. It's going to be up to you to stay strong in your faith. Enjoy the music but only for music's sake, and don't take any unchristian messages to heart.

Answer 7

well, the mere fact that you're affected or doubting on it is a sign that there is something wrong. as Christians, we are models of Christ...we are the salt and light of the earth. so if people know that we're Christians and they observed what we may be doing or listening to, they may question us or think that being a Christian is just the same as being a non-Christian.

I'm not saying we should be over spiritual and listen to nothing but gospel music. let's just be a little "choosy" or careful with the songs we listen to coz music can affect the way we think.

Answer 8

When I was a teenager (30 years ago) people were saying the same thing. I don't know why some people are so concerned about music. Where in the Bible does it say some types of music are bad? (Yes they had music in those days too)
If you don't think the music is "bad", then you are not deliberately doing something wrong. You just have a different opinion of what is "bad".

And yes, burning CDs is cult-like behavior.

Answer 9

When people start burning records and books, they're just one step away from burning people. That's a cult - get away from them.

All you have to do to qualify as a Christian is believe in Jesus. The Baptists make crap up as they go along. Find another. less extreme church that actually knows what's in the bible and what isn't.

Answer 10

I think as a Christian you can listen to different musics as long as they are not using vulgar language and not suggesting violence. God expects us to keep our minds and hearts pure. God wants us to enjoy life. Music is a big part of our lives. I have been a Christian for 39 years. I know when something is not pleasing to God. I love Gospel music and I also love country music. I don't feel bad because I listen to it. God knows where my heart is. He knows He is first in my life.

Answer 11

In theory you can be a necrophiliac and still be a Christian, since salvation is not based on works.

I will say from my own personal experience, however, that when I started listening to Christian radio almost exclusively is when my attitude on life grew much more positive.

Keep in mind that you are what you put into your body and mind. If you are filling your mind with things other than that which pleases God, then that is what you will have to fall back on when you are in need.