What is the Jehovah's Witness position on music?

Question

Do they listen to Christian music ever?

How about singing in Church?

Answer 1

A million thanks to you, Debbie for posting that link to Midi-on Demand! I ran across a Kingdom melody sung in another country on my computer the other day and was going crazy trying to remember where I got it from. *SMASK- blows kisses to you lol*

As you can see, Jehovah's Witnesses love music (generally speaking lol). Out in the ministry the other week, I was singing songs from Phantom of the Opera with an Elder and his wife :D (we were in the car, driving between territories).
As for "Christian" music, by and large, we abstain. I still have a weakness for old folk songs ("Wade in the Water" and "Amazing Grace") and I also get "one Day at a time" stuck in my head from time to time (as sung by Cristy Lane).
But if it's unscriptural, we don't want anything to do with it because we cannot partake of both the things of God and of demons (look up 1 Cor. 10:21)

I also write my own "hymns". I don't usually share them with others because I'm shy lol, but I sing them often.

Personally, I enjoy lots of different types of music. But I LOVE broadway productions (Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll and Hyde).

My Kingdom Hall has a few get-togethers every year and we usually have karioke a them :)

Answer 2

What is our position on music?

I can't speak for all my brothers and sisters, but I like it. Portions of the Bible were actually written as songs. See Psalms.

Do they ever listen to Christian music?

I enjoy most all types of music, but I do find that I have to turn off the radio when certain songs come on that contain objectionable lyrics or immoral ideas. Two that come to mind are "Rock Star" and "Before He Cheats". They are both catchy tunes, but it's like bad association listening to them and I personally will not do it. I like a lot of Chery Crow, Third Eye Blind, Matchbox 20 among others. I can't think of any "Christian singers" that I would listen to. If they were not associated with some church, did not have immoral lyrics, and I liked the song, I would listen.

How about singing in Church?

We sing at every meeting in our Kingdom Halls. Feel free to stop by and see for yourself. You will be welcomed.

Answer 3

No I don't listen to so called "Christian" music.

Where I work there have been a couple of concerts featuring "Christian" bands. Imagine my surprise when they listed under their influences for their music such acts as KISS, MEGADEATH, IRON MAIDEN and such.

Hmm, if that's what influences "Christian" music, I'll pass.

Singing at the Kingdom Hall is done on a regular basis.

I listen to music from a variety of acts, John Mellencamp, U2, America, David Bowie ect.

I have a music service on both of my computers; my desktop has over 3 days of music before it would repeat a single song.

Answer 4

As a soon-to-be Witness, I love music. All sorts of music. I love listening to music no matter what I'm doing. When I'm in the car, in the house, in my room.....I don't hear my parents when they call me. I like everything from rock to pop to R&B and even some country. We just need to make sure to use discretion regarding the lyrics and the prevalence of shameless music videos have become annoying and disgraceful.

As far as Christian music....no. We do have our own Song Book titled "Sing Praises to Jehovah" which we utilize at the opening and closing of each of our meetings. These songs are all taken from verses in the Bible and each is more pleasant than the next. After all, the Psalmist did encourage us to, "Sing to Jehovah, all you people of the earth. For Jehovah is great and very much to be praised." (Psalms 96:1, 4)

Answer 5

I LOVE music!!! (stops typing to turn up the volume, moves to the beat)

We just seek to please God in everything we do, so we avoid songs with bad lyrics or that promote ungodly ideas.

We do not sing religious songs that promote unBiblical ideas, like "Jesus is God", "fiery hell", "the dead are looking down on us from above", "when I enter heaven's gates" (I don't have a heavenly hope, I wouldn't be singing such a song).

We listen to what we call "Kingdom Melodies", too. We use songs at our meetings, very beautiful that are exactly the same in all the languages we use, you can sing in your own language and not be out of tune with the others... and the stanzas talk of the same things! I think that's marvelous!!

Answer 6

Hello.

JWs do listen to music, but as others have said, we have scripturally correct songs to sing at meetings.....You can hear some online at http://www.l-and-a.com.au/comm/addons/midi.html

I was in Christendom for the early parts of my life and am familiar with their creeds, hymns and oaths (ritually repeated materials usually from the back of a hymnal or other book). I always wondered why we were singing such stuff....

I knew holidays were pagan and we were singing about a Christmas tree, about Jesus being born in the snow, the wise men being at his manger as well as the star being over it (none were true).

We were singing about little brown church in the dale, etc. (What has that to do with Jesus?) We sang beautiful words of life (sing them over again to me)....but little to nothing was ever quotes from the Bible. Some had cute melodies, but again I wondered what the purpose and use of all that was. To me, just amusement to interest the people to keep them coming back.

So I was very interested in the JW songbook and after reading the Bible (KJV) in a month to check all I was learning, I realized each and every line in our songs is a Bible verse....literally a Bible lesson set to music.

I love a lot of different kinds of music, bits and pieces of each and have a small CD collection as well as using some online sources like yahoo music. We have music at dances, weddings and get togethers (sometimes recorded or computer, sometimes different JWs who can play and sing, etc)

Many of us are artists, doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses, librarians, you name it....

We're not uneducated monastic po-dunks living out nowhere with some bizarre religion. (Though it seems very different to many).

We also use many Bible versions, print KJV, ED, AS, NWT, Makarios/Russian Orthodox, etc. And use other peoples Greek/Hebrew word dictionaries, etc.

Hope that helps.

Debbie

Answer 7

We do not listen to anything that we know would offend Jehovah. Take Jesus actions as an example with the money lenders, and those selling sacrificial animals and birds in the temple.
We are a joyful people and many of us go around singing our songbook songs happily each day.
As to singing songs not found in our songbooks.....No!
Our songs are all based on Psalms=Songs

Answer 8

Music's great. We are advised not to listen to "questionable music" (e.g. dirty lirics etc).

I've never listened to "Chrisian" music before (I guess you mean Christian rock etc?)

We sing what are called "Kingdom Melodies" in the Kindom Hall (Church), these are songs with a theme (e.g. Love, Jesus, Paradise etc) based on the bible.

Answer 9

YES Jehovah's CHRISTIAN Witnesses Have their Own CHRISTIAN Songbook !

AND Sing 3 Songs at EVERY Meeting !

Learn MORE at http://www.watchtower.org

p.s. B Careful Asking a Question Like this on "This Forum" Because there R a Bunch or JW TROLLS (aka Apostates) that

ALWAYS

Give NEGATIVE Answers ! ! !

Answer 10

They have songbooks which they use in the Kingdom Hall and also for get togethers :D

Christian Music...hmm...actually I do remember a few JW's listening to some artists.


edited to add:
When I was a kid, my parents loved the fact that I liked Stryper.
:D
:D
:D
http://www.stryper.com/