Is rock music demonic?

[SailorWriter]

The reason I ask this because when I watched a video that says that "Christian" rock is not possible because of the culture, origins, etc., and that made me think if it is okay to listen to it because the one I listen to isn't full on blaspheming against God, like Crush 40's music, Striving High and Low, etc. So, is rock music inheritly sinful or okay as long the lyrics is not blasphemous?

 

[Christ_empowered]

I used to really like the velvet underground…pixies…guided by voices…

It isn’t that it’s all evil and satanic lol it’s that even songs I used to think were innocuous were anything but because it really is for me or against me…

 

[Hidden In Him]

very interesting post Hidden in him, Dave Mustaine has a video on youtube, an interview where he talks about how he converted to christianity and continues to play rock music some of his old records he refuses to play, he didnt go super deep into detail about devils coded into the songs and such but it was very interesting anyhow.

I used to be into Megadeth back when I was playing in my last band, and we did a few of their songs. This was still very early into the Metallica/ Megadeth era. I recall hearing something about him converting after I came to Christ, and there were some strong suggestions that he might have in stuff like Symphony of Destruction, which borrowed heavily on the Biblical theme of the Antichrist. But then he was still playing, so I wondered if his conversion was real or not.

Crazy dude. Sweating Bullets still brings back memories. So does Wake Up Dead. Nowadays I think I'd just as soon listen to a real symphony and skip the creepy histrionics, Lol.

 

[hawkman]

The reason I ask this because when I watched a video that says that "Christian" rock is not possible because of the culture, origins, etc., and that made me think if it is okay to listen to it because the one I listen to isn't full on blaspheming against God, like Crush 40's music, Striving High and Low, etc. So, is rock music inheritly sinful or okay as long the lyrics is not blasphemous?

You hit on the main point , the lyrics . I always thought there was a hint of demonic influence in the Rolling Stone's song "Sympathy for The Devil" .

 

[Hidden In Him]

You hit on the main point , the lyrics . I always thought there was a hint of demonic influence in the Rolling Stone's song "Sympathy for The Devil" .

Just a hint, aye? Their eighth album was entitled Their Satanic Majesties Request. It means they were commissioned by the crown, as most of Europe's royalty are Satanists going back centuries.

The Stones sold out for money and fame just like the Beatles did. That's why Lennon had the inner sleeve to Sgt. Pepper's designed to include the caption "The Beatles welcome The Rolling Stones."

It was code for "the Stones play for the same team we do."

 

[hawkman]

I grew up being taught that, but no. The short of it is, no style of music is inherently bad. It's simply a medium that can be used for either good or bad.
There's an excellent article on this that is rather hard to find, but I will link it if I can find it. (edit: Went to the way back machine, still can't find it. RIP.)

A bit disappointed to see "Satanic Panic" in this thread

There are a couple of us in this thread that are speaking from being on the inside of what is rock&roll , your understanding can be different with your perspective .
So , what have the rock stars had to say about such ? https://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils in America/Rock-n-Roll/rock_curse.htm

“We receive our songs by inspiration, like at a séance” (Keith Richards of the ROLLING STONES, Rolling Stone, May 5, 1977, p. 55).

“I was directed and commanded by another power. The power of darkness ... that a lot of people don’t believe exists. The power of the Devil. Satan” (LITTLE RICHARD, cited by Charles White, The Life and Times of Little Richard, p. 206).

 

[evenifigoalone]

There are a couple of us in this thread that are speaking from being on the inside of what is rock&roll , your understanding can be different with your perspective .
So , what have the rock stars had to say about such ? https://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils in America/Rock-n-Roll/rock_curse.htm

“We receive our songs by inspiration, like at a séance” (Keith Richards of the ROLLING STONES, Rolling Stone, May 5, 1977, p. 55).

“I was directed and commanded by another power. The power of darkness ... that a lot of people don’t believe exists. The power of the Devil. Satan” (LITTLE RICHARD, cited by Charles White, The Life and Times of Little Richard, p. 206).

Forgive me for being skeptical and also that people like to say controversial stuff to drum up interest

 

[Hidden In Him]

“We receive our songs by inspiration, like at a séance” (Keith Richards of the ROLLING STONES, Rolling Stone, May 5, 1977, p. 55).

“I was directed and commanded by another power. The power of darkness ... that a lot of people don’t believe exists. The power of the Devil. Satan” (LITTLE RICHARD, cited by Charles White, The Life and Times of Little Richard, p. 206).

Those are rare occasions when they would admit to such things. Most of the time it was just covert, wink, wink kinda stuff, where they would say it but cover their tracks by applying some sort of analogy.

AC/DC's Highway To Hell was an example. It's obvious what the song is really saying, but they invented a story about it having been written about going to America to make it big in music, just in case they took too much heat for identifying as Satanists (though they did it repeatedly on numerous other songs). Same thing with Van Halen's Running With The Devil. They were telling the public from the very beginning that they were Satanists, though with them they never got that blatant about things again. As the lyrics in the song stated, "I'm only gonna tell you one time. {I'm) running with the Devil."

 

[Hidden In Him]

Those are rare occasions when they would admit to such things. Most of the time it was just covert, wink, wink kinda stuff, where they would say it but cover their tracks by applying some sort of analogy.

AC/DC's Highway To Hell was an example. It's obvious what the song is really saying, but they invented a story about it having been written about going to America to make it big in music, just in case they took too much heat for identifying as Satanists (though they did it repeatedly on numerous other songs). Same thing with Van Halen's Running With The Devil. They were telling the public from the very beginning that they were Satanists, though with them they never got that blatant about things again. As the lyrics in the song stated, "I'm only gonna tell you one time. {I'm) running with the Devil."

Note: Deleted the bit about Vietnam. That was somebody else, LoL.

 

[jasonc]

Forgive me for being skeptical and also that people like to say controversial stuff to drum up interest

Reminds me of people that bashed dungeons and dragons and love Tolkien trilogy and the hobbit .

 

[evenifigoalone]

Reminds me of people that bashed dungeons and dragons and love Tolkien trilogy and the hobbit .

I wish I could find that one article I mentioned in my first post. It's excellent and addresses pretty much every single argument used against rock music.
Anyways. The devil shouldn't get to have all the good music.

 

[jasonc]

I wish I could find that one article I mentioned in my first post. It's excellent and addresses pretty much every single argument used against rock music.

It's the lyrics that can be troublesome .

 

[evenifigoalone]

It's the lyrics that can be troublesome .

Absolutely.
Say, here's a metal cover of Dragostea Din Tei (known as "Numa Numa" back in the old days of the internet):

edit:
English translated lyrics for the curious:

O-Zone - Numa Numa (English Version) lyrics | LyricsFreak

 

[Hidden In Him]

“We receive our songs by inspiration, like at a séance” (Keith Richards of the ROLLING STONES, Rolling Stone, May 5, 1977, p. 55).

The Stones sold out for money and fame just like the Beatles did. That's why Lennon had the inner sleeve to Sgt. Pepper's designed to include the caption "The Beatles welcome The Rolling Stones."

Btw Hawkman, I actually wrote a Bible Study related to some of this stuff awhile back. It centered on Satan's deceitful offer to make men "gods" from the very beginning. I eventually get into Lennon and the Beatles by the end, and where he eventually ended up. I included the image of how when the inner sleeve of Sgt. Pepper's is placed up against a mirror, symbols of Crowley's OTO become clearly visible, along with sexual imagery typical of his religion.
http://www.spiritualwarbiblestudies.com/index.php?topic=273.0

There's also a book that was written about him and a supposed 20 year pact that he made with the Devil for fame. I never read it, but I may buy it some day.

The following video is somewhat tongue in cheek, but discusses part of the legend starting at 5:25.

 

[jasonc]

Nothing wrong with country , jazz,and big band ?

Oh I bet I can pick apart them all.
Country alone is easy enough .

 

[jasonc]

Nothing wrong with country , jazz,and big band ?

Oh I bet I can pick apart them all.
Country alone is easy enough .

Joog joints ,juke joint ,juke player .these are related to the word joog which means to enjoy .it wasn't at all wholesome in a joog joint .beer,dancing and a fun night for a price .

These are where fats Domino played and others .I mention that because he wasn't quite Rock.

It's the lyrics .big band and swing era ,the flappers, prohibition.


Rock didn't exist then and yet a speak easy wasn't exactly free of the bar and night club debauchery.

 

[evenifigoalone]

The tunes to some old hymns used to be used in bar songs before they were repurposed.

 

[Benadam]

Rock music the beat, the sound ,generally appeals to the sensitive powers less to the sacred.

I think it's fine to reach young rockers with a Christian message. The danger is to the Christian musicians who do it. IMO

 

[evenifigoalone]

The band Disciple has some of the most theologically sound lyrics I've ever seen in Christian music, even moreso than some of the hymns we sing in church

[Verse 1]
When I think of all You are, I have no words
For Your greatness it outshines a thousand suns
And I think of how You love, so undeserved
There’s no darkness that your light can’t overcome
How great a love He has for us

[Chorus]
Though my sins they be as scarlet
Though my hands have been an enemy of God
Though my heart has played the harlot
You gave me more than I deserve
When You washed my whole world as white as snow



[Verse 2]
And I think of how You give, so endlessly
The universe is unable to contain
And when the skies fall apart, and the stars all fade
The world will end but your love it will remain
How great a love He has for us

[Chorus]
Though my sins they be as scarlet
Though my hands have been an enemy of God
Though my heart has played the harlot
You gave me more than I deserve
When You washed my whole world as white as snow

[Bridge]
Leave me drowning in the flood
The ocean of your blood
Leave me drowning in the flood
The ocean of your blood

[Chorus]
Though my sins they be as scarlet
Though my hands have been an enemy of God
Though my heart has played the harlot
You gave me more than I deserve
When You washed my whole world as white as snow
Though my sins they be as scarlet
Though my hands have been an enemy of God
Though my heart has played the harlot
You gave me more than I deserve
When You washed my whole world as white as snow

 

[hawkman]

I wish I could find that one article I mentioned in my first post. It's excellent and addresses pretty much every single argument used against rock music.

Maybe you will find it , I will read it if you do .

Anyways. The devil shouldn't get to have all the good music.

Larry Norman voiced a thought just like this .

Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?: Larry Norman and the Perils of Christian Rock

 

[jasonc]

I see this as a romans 14 issue .too expect the world to edify God is beyond me .

If one is called away then do so but don't judge those who aren't.

I gave up tv .yet when I watch old shows the reasons the I gave it up in 09 somehow also are there.

I just think shows today in general push sin too much whereas older shows were more subtle and a bit less .