Are certain Christian music genres bad?

[A239]

Lol and tennis shoes. Those are of the devil... Don't get me started on football.

[A239]

Life is good by stellar kart is another good one.

[MissBrattified]

Not exactly. We've always allowed our kids to listen to pretty much anything, as long as it has a positive, uplifting message. They listen to some secular, but it's obviously more difficult to find uplifting music in that arena, so they end up listening to mostly Christian by default.

Where the line gets blurred is when a certain style of music either attracts you to or identifies you with a negative subculture. I don't believe it's appropriate for Christians to dress like gang members and similarly to listen to or perform music that is heavily associated with a negative subculture. An example would be "death metal." Even if the (barely legible) lyrics could be understood, the music itself is questionable and the groups it is associated with are horrifying.

It's important to note that there is validity to the concept that music sans lyrics does affect our psyches. As a singer and musician in the church, I am well aware of the effect music can have on people's emotions and their behavior. As a church musician, it's actually important to make the ethical choice to NOT manipulate people or situations using music and instead be responsive to the Spirit and the congregation.

Years ago my daughter and I did some research on this topic and found a study done about the effects of music on human behavior. It posted about it here and you can read that post here.

The study details are as follows:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

...a researcher had placed 30 boys in three rooms, 10 in each room. (Secular researcher, secular college) She had foosball tables set up in each room. In the first room, the boys played with no music. In the second, there was music playing, but no lyrics. And in the third, there was the same music playing, but with the lyrics. (If I recall correctly, it was heavy metal) Their observations were that in the first room, the behavior was normal, but in the 2nd and 3rd, it was more aggressive and loud. Since the behavior in rooms 2 and 3 were similar, she concluded that it was the music itself that prompted the change in behavior, and not necessarily the lyrics.

We read a report in one of our science magazines about different sounds being used to calm monkeys, and also to get them to behave aggressively or anxiously. The inference was that humans would be affected similarly. We watched a show on the History channel awhile back that showed how drum rhythms were used to bring people into a sort of emotional frenzy during ancient tribal rituals and celebrations.

[A239]

I certainly do not listen to any metal at all. It's too loud and rocky for my likings.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by JacobSauceda

I certainly do not listen to any metal at all. It's too loud and rocky for my likings.

I have friends who do, too, and I don't intend to condemn them for it, even though I personally dislike that genre. I do believe we should strive to make sure all of our influences are positive, especially with music, since it does affect our emotions and moods so greatly. And I just wanted to point out the possibility that music in and of itself does that--even if there are no lyrics. Maybe pay attention to the way different styles of music make you feel and affect your mood and make sure you choose those that have a positive effect.

You might also enjoy reading through this old thread about a blog post by Rodney Shaw regarding entertainment choices: http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...dy#post1025881

There will be the usual bickering on that thread to muddy through , but his blog post had some good points.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by JacobSauceda

Also try "love addict" by family force 5

Oh, my word. My son LOVES that song. I was okay with it until I watched their music video, which I thought was awful.

Originally Posted by JacobSauceda

Stellar kart is a great band. Listen to "we shine" and "me and Jesus" by stellar cart

"We Shine" is good. I'll have to put that on my son's iPod for him. DCTalk and Newsboys would probably be about as wild as I get.

[Disciple4life]

I like Sandi Patty, Michael English, Jennifer Knapp and Ray Boltz... Oh wait... Really? Nevermind what I just said.

[A239]

Funky jesus music by Toby Mac lol

[Disciple4life]

I saw Toby Mac perform Jesus Freak at one of his concerts. Yeah I know it is a hard rock song. But it is still awesome.

[navygoat1998]

I don't listen to much Skillet anymore......I am getting old