Is Heavy Metal Evil?

[JonahofAkron]

To turn your question around, is it okay to support evil as long as it is giving you something? (What is so attractive about evil that one couldn't give it up?). Satan has no problem with giving people things if they'll support him.

If Anton La Vey's Church of Satan had a fund-raiser bake sale and had your favorite kind of pie on a table, would you buy one from them? Is merely liking the sound of a band, or liking a certain baked good, reason enough to support evil with your money? I would say no.

The only thing I can't live without is Jesus, everything else is just wants not needs.

I don't have a problem with metal but I do draw the line at openly satanic metal bands. There are so many good metal bands to choose from, so why would you need to listen to a satanic one?

Best answer yet. :thumb:

 

[Kit Carson]

Do not tempt God the Father. He may just allow something to get hold of you and then you have to overcome it.

As for me I am an old man.....well not so old, I am 57 but that kind of music and other kinds also that are nothing but confusion and yelling and one cannot even understand the words if there are any, is offensive and mass confusion to the ears.

I am a craftsman, and sometimes will walk into a building or unto a construction project and this nonsense will be blaring away. I am not at all bashful about asking them to turn it off. Normally time the job is done I have made a new friend or two, as I will tell them, this nonsense is offensive to my ears and to the ears of God. But a smile and sense of confidence takes time, and how to say things so it can be turned around ......well they will know time I am done that God exists and if you keep playing that boom box I am gonna smash it. Lol!

Wanna hear a funny? I have never done this but sure would like to. I would like to have a fake grenade and when they pull up behind me in traffic with that nonsense blaring away and with huge speakers and my van windows are in danger of jumping out of the van, just calmly walk back there and tap on the window and toss in the grenade. Can you see the scramble.......Ha!!!

No times have changed, too much traffic and other considerations, but I sure would like to. Plus God says , Kit control your sense of humor as it may get you into trouble. Yep!

So consider this kind of thing not only for yourself, but to others. Some of us including myself find it very offensive. And Jesus told you do not tempt God, as he might just let you find out for yourself a thing or two. If one has knowledge that the music is of Satanic origin or from sources not so good, then why even chose to listen to it??

It does not matter actually as if and when you do fully accept Christ, then your ears will shut down when the Holy Spirit hears it anyway.

Same with movies, nonsense becomes nonsense. And you wish to simply flip to the nature or discovery channel or something. Ever watch the show MASH, that is a wholesome show, a show of old, with good values, a sense of mischief, but this kind of thing is long gone, now we have the Big Bang Theory, and that one also insults my ears and eyes. It is of the modern world.

So do not tempt God, and watch out for Kit. You may be the one in the car the day I do decide to toss that Grenade. :shade:

Kit

 

[JonahofAkron]

Do not tempt God the Father. He may just allow something to get hold of you and then you have to overcome it.

As for me I am an old man.....well not so old, I am 57 but that kind of music and other kinds also that are nothing but confusion and yelling and one cannot even understand the words if there are any, is offensive and mass confusion to the ears.

I am a craftsman, and sometimes will walk into a building or unto a construction project and this nonsense will be blaring away. I am not at all bashful about asking them to turn it off. Normally time the job is done I have made a new friend or two, as I will tell them, this nonsense is offensive to my ears and to the ears of God. But a smile and sense of confidence takes time, and how to say things so it can be turned around ......well they will know time I am done that God exists and if you keep playing that boom box I am gonna smash it. Lol!

Wanna hear a funny? I have never done this but sure would like to. I would like to have a fake grenade and when they pull up behind me in traffic with that nonsense blaring away and with huge speakers and my van windows are in danger of jumping out of the van, just calmly walk back there and tap on the window and toss in the grenade. Can you see the scramble.......Ha!!!

No times have changed, too much traffic and other considerations, but I sure would like to. Plus God says , Kit control your sense of humor as it may get you into trouble. Yep!

So consider this kind of thing not only for yourself, but to others. Some of us including myself find it very offensive. And Jesus told you do not tempt God, as he might just let you find out for yourself a thing or two. If one has knowledge that the music is of Satanic origin or from sources not so good, then why even chose to listen to it??

It does not matter actually as if and when you do fully accept Christ, then your ears will shut down when the Holy Spirit hears it anyway.

Same with movies, nonsense becomes nonsense. And you wish to simply flip to the nature or discovery channel or something. Ever watch the show MASH, that is a wholesome show, a show of old, with good values, a sense of mischief, but this kind of thing is long gone, now we have the Big Bang Theory, and that one also insults my ears and eyes. It is of the modern world.

So do not tempt God, and watch out for Kit. You may be the one in the car the day I do decide to toss that Grenade. :shade:

Kit

Soooo.....cross dressing and adultery are cool, but fast and loud music is offensive to God? I don't appreciate the insinuation.

 

[s.i.e.]

I love the genres of Black and Death metal. Now, within these genres you will, to some peoples surprise, find Christian bands. Examples being Antestor, Crimson Moonlight, Holy Blood, Frost Like Ashes and many many more. But along with those bands i often listen to Deicide and Morbid Angel who would be considered 'satanic'. (Deicide's frontman, Glen Benton is open about the fact that he is a satanist.) When i listen to those sorts of bands i enjoy the music, but have no interest in the message. But when i listen to the Christian bands, i agree with the message. So, is it wrong to even listen to the satanic bands just for the music?

DraKKar --- the question is of you, not of us. You come here asking us "is it ok"....and I would encourage you not to think about it in such black and white terms. We could say "it is ok" and would you then be completely ok with listening to it? Would any of your remaining concerns about whether it is ok or not, then go away for you?

Or, I could say "no, it is evil"...and what then? Would you then just present your defense? Or perhaps, you would just write me off at that point?

What we say doesn't really matter. The question is with you. What do you discern, in this (regardless of whatever we may say!) ?


You say you love the genres of Black and Death metal. So be it.


The question is...

Why?

What drives you to it?

What is the attraction, for you, in this?

Is it a comprehensive answer to say "you like the music", or does it do something to you spirit as well, and if so, what is that?

Music is like food --- it feeds something of your spirit: what thing is this feeding for you?


Since you're here, asking this question of us, that tells me there is something unsettled within you, regarding your operable-conclusion on this issue, that it's "ok". You're feeling it's really not ok...and my question of you is: why?



My personal opinion is that it would be best to do away with the "labels". You say that there are "Black and Death" metal bands that are "Christian"?? I'm not sure what that looks like, or what that means. I mean, I would guess that the words are (if you read them on a piece of paper) "Christian"...but again, music speaks to our spirits...and I wonder what your spirit-response is to these "Christians Black/Death metal" bands?? Sorry if I'm letting my op-ed into this, but I don't buy that. It's a label. I would propose that whether they label themselves "Christian" or "Satanist", it may do the same to your sould/spirit!

In this regard: CAVEAT EMPTOR, brother! This stuff can turn the trajectory of your spirit.

 

[Kit Carson]

Soooo.....cross dressing and adultery are cool, but fast and loud music is offensive to God? I don't appreciate the insinuation.

I am sorry, did not mean to insinuate anything. There are real truths, and false truths and humor. Humor is ok as long as it is not a real truth and viewed in this way.

Clinger the cross dresser really is not, it is a bit of humor in that way, he wants to get out of the military any way he can. As for those other two one married and the other a nurse, yep, if real would be wrong and even the insinuation is wrong. But it is not real. The failings of man I suppose in a humorous way. Not that anything is humorous to represent our failings. Hard to explain. In all there is good and bad, last episode I saw the Commander gave his horse to an old man. Hawkeye and BJ are always basically trying to help someone. Much of their mischief is a result of fighting the establishment.

I guess there is nothing much on T.V. that is not of the world in one way or the other. At least not lately. Nature shows, the discovery channel and such are ok as long as you do not let them convince you that Aliens injected DNA into an monkey and that is where we came from.
In
Movies, such as that one where the girl turns her head around backwards and they have an exorcism. I see that and wonder how did they do that, it means nothing else to me. To me it is not fact and not taken as such.

Music is different, depending on your mental makeup and state, it does speak to the soul. A heavy beat and repetitive beat is used by those like Benny Hinn to fleece the sheep, to hypnotize folks. To work on their emotions. I have noticed this year walking into a shopping center the music is changed, it is no longer Merry Christmas, it is happy holiday. On the news about Christmas and even locally food drives and toys and bicycles I have not heard one word about God. Just about the holiday. I cured that in one business this morning, they told me Merry Christmas and I told them , Thank you and may God bless you.

Some music is just best avoided. Not only is it bad for us, it can open the mind to things not desired.

It will cause old yahoos like myself to judge you also, as we do judge things daily and chose them or not, and music to me is the same as the illusion or the way an eye sees you. Such as you show up for a job interview with a full face tatoo and horns in your head, a nose ring and wearing something in your lip. Guess what I will not hire you, as you will be representing my company and I want neat clean ordinary people. You will be knocking on doors to many people. And you represent me. I in my way represent God. So it all goes in that circle.

Our actions judge us, from the music we listen to to how we dress and act.

Consider these things, and again I am sorry to have cause you to think I insinuated anything. I do wish all to turn from any Satanic style music, leave it alone, and perhaps I was wrong in using MASH as an example to all as all of us are in different stages of faith, it does take time to develop a discerning spirit.

Respectfully

Kit

 

[JonahofAkron]

I am sorry, did not mean to insinuate anything. There are real truths, and false truths and humor. Humor is ok as long as it is not a real truth and viewed in this way.

Clinger the cross dresser really is not, it is a bit of humor in that way, he wants to get out of the military any way he can. As for those other two one married and the other a nurse, yep, if real would be wrong and even the insinuation is wrong. But it is not real. The failings of man I suppose in a humorous way. Not that anything is humorous to represent our failings. Hard to explain. In all there is good and bad, last episode I saw the Commander gave his horse to an old man. Hawkeye and BJ are always basically trying to help someone. Much of their mischief is a result of fighting the establishment.

I guess there is nothing much on T.V. that is not of the world in one way or the other. At least not lately. Nature shows, the discovery channel and such are ok as long as you do not let them convince you that Aliens injected DNA into an monkey and that is where we came from.
In
Movies, such as that one where the girl turns her head around backwards and they have an exorcism. I see that and wonder how did they do that, it means nothing else to me. To me it is not fact and not taken as such.

Music is different, depending on your mental makeup and state, it does speak to the soul. A heavy beat and repetitive beat is used by those like Benny Hinn to fleece the sheep, to hypnotize folks. To work on their emotions. I have noticed this year walking into a shopping center the music is changed, it is no longer Merry Christmas, it is happy holiday. On the news about Christmas and even locally food drives and toys and bicycles I have not heard one word about God. Just about the holiday. I cured that in one business this morning, they told me Merry Christmas and I told them , Thank you and may God bless you.

Some music is just best avoided. Not only is it bad for us, it can open the mind to things not desired.

It will cause old yahoos like myself to judge you also, as we do judge things daily and chose them or not, and music to me is the same as the illusion or the way an eye sees you. Such as you show up for a job interview with a full face tatoo and horns in your head, a nose ring and wearing something in your lip. Guess what I will not hire you, as you will be representing my company and I want neat clean ordinary people. You will be knocking on doors to many people. And you represent me. I in my way represent God. So it all goes in that circle.

Our actions judge us, from the music we listen to to how we dress and act.

Consider these things, and again I am sorry to have cause you to think I insinuated anything. I do wish all to turn from any Satanic style music, leave it alone, and perhaps I was wrong in using MASH as an example to all as all of us are in different stages of faith, it does take time to develop a discerning spirit.

Respectfully

Kit

All I'm saying is both are entertainment. If you choose to entertain yourself with something unwholesome, regardless of medium, you are still in the wrong. The fact that you had to justify it speaks clearly to the issue. Not that I'm calling you out for anything, I'm just saying that if you want to call certain mediums unwholesome or 'tempting', let's talk about all of the avenues....not just metal or even just music. Nowhere is there a precedent in the bible that discusses musical taste. It does, however, say that what you put in will come out. That goes for 'humorous' scenes of depravity in all forms. Much love, don't hate metal. Sweet. :thumb:

 

[DraKKar]

Kit Carson, JonahofAkron, and s.i.e, thank you for your interesting and enlightening responses. I can see what you are saying when it comes to satanic heavy metal, but how can Christian metal be wrong or evil? One of my favorite bands are Stryper, probably the best known Christian heavy metal band. Below are the lyrics to one of their songs, what can be wrong with bands that write and sing this:


1. In God We Trust


[Verse 1]
It's been said money talks
If so what does it say?
Four simple words we see every day

[Verse 2]
The rich, the poor
Heaven is for those who choose
Don't put your trust in money
You'll lose (again and again)

[Chorus]
In God we trust
In Him we must believe
(He is the only way)
In God we trust
His Son we must receive
(Tomorrow's too late, accept Him today)

[Repeat Chorus]

 

[s.i.e.]

Below are the lyrics to one of their songs, what can be wrong with bands that write and sing this:

What kind of question is this DraKKar? You're asking us to assess what may be right/wrong about these lyrics, which for all intensive purposes, are merely pixels on a screen?

You're talking about music, right? So, again, I submit, there is much more going on than merely the words, or the rhythm, or the beat, or any other thing that goes on in isolation, within the more complete composition that makes the song, not to mention the presentation of the song itself.

Again, it goes to the spirit. Not the words, per se. Not the guitar lead, per se. Not the bass-drum, per se.

Make sense?

You're asking the wrong question, in other words.

But alas, I'll answer: what's wrong with those lyrics you put down? Nothing! (but, I would imagine my answer might have helped as much as the question posed)

 

[gdemoss]

For the sake of argument, lets say that there is nothing wrong with any kind of music whatsoever. That as a Christian you may enjoy it at will anytime and have done nothing wrong in doing so.

That said, there is another side that one must address. Even pure things can be evil if the one doing them thinks they are evil. All Christians have an obligation not to set a stumbling block in front of their brother. If your brother who used to enjoy metal, but now thinks metal is evil, pulls up beside you at a stop light while you are enjoying your music and thus succumbs to the temptation to go back to listening to metal but in doubt of its purity, he is damned if he listen because it is not in faith. And you are condemned in that which you have allowed. Everyone of us must give an account of himself to God. We are not here to please ourselves even as Christ pleased not his own self. We are here to please God in what we do.

Reference Romans Chapter 14

In Christ,

Gary

 

[Kit Carson]

All I'm saying is both are entertainment. If you choose to entertain yourself with something unwholesome, regardless of medium, you are still in the wrong. The fact that you had to justify it speaks clearly to the issue. Not that I'm calling you out for anything, I'm just saying that if you want to call certain mediums unwholesome or 'tempting', let's talk about all of the avenues....not just metal or even just music. Nowhere is there a precedent in the bible that discusses musical taste. It does, however, say that what you put in will come out. That goes for 'humorous' scenes of depravity in all forms. Much love, don't hate metal. Sweet. :thumb:

Well guess what.......I agree with you. All things can become a stumbling block to some. What may be fine to me is not for someone else due to my inner soul and how I accept or decline things.

The lesson I learned today is to be careful as I may hurt you or someone by a suggestion or by words. I think there is very little wholesome entertainment today, be hard to find any. Some of it makes me cringe and wonder why. Most of it is violence, rape, hurting someone and yea.......that loud music. Lol! And people seem to go for it all.

But I know what you have said and I will be more careful.

Take Care

Kit

 

[Fraction]

Most of these comments suggest that we cannot think for ourselves and have no control over our actions or thoughts.

A sad position for humanity. >.>

 

[gdemoss]

Most of these comments suggest that we cannot think for ourselves and have no control over our actions or thoughts.

A sad position for humanity. >.>

Hi Fraction, would you care to expound upon what you mean by using examples from the thread. Please post your commentary so we can better understand and learn from you.

 

[Fraction]

I'm not gonna go through and pick certain sentences and call people out or anything. I will explain a little though.

So a lot of posters in this thread talk about evil movies and evil music and evil this and evil that. Then they go on explaining how if we watch a horror movie, or a movie about magic, listen to a heavy metal song, or a pop song, etc etc, we will produce evil.

Who is to say that certain songs or movies are evil? The bible doesn't say that Spiderman is an evil movie somewhere in Romans. It doesn't say that Separate Ways by Journey is an evil song somewhere in Hebrews. I can understand if the movie or songs point is saying "Hey kids, lets worship Satan).

So this leads to my point, some of you act like we have NO control over our actions or thoughts after we watch or listen to something you believe to be evil. What happens to this logic when someone watches the entire Harry Potter series, but doesn't turn into an evil wizard? Stays strong in the Christian religion and does not convert to something like Paganism?

Maybe cast the blame to the people who actually consider evil actions and motivational thoughts to be acceptable. Even worse, acceptable by God.

That's all i am saying...

 

[JonahofAkron]

Well guess what.......I agree with you. All things can become a stumbling block to some. What may be fine to me is not for someone else due to my inner soul and how I accept or decline things.

The lesson I learned today is to be careful as I may hurt you or someone by a suggestion or by words. I think there is very little wholesome entertainment today, be hard to find any. Some of it makes me cringe and wonder why. Most of it is violence, rape, hurting someone and yea.......that loud music. Lol! And people seem to go for it all.

But I know what you have said and I will be more careful.

Take Care

Kit

Kit, I apologize if I seemed a jerk in my previous comment. I wanted to clarify my point a little. It is anti-biblical to claim that loud music alone is evil. I think you are correct in saying that anything can cause stumbling. I agree with that. I just disagree with the idea that all loud music is evil.

 

[gdemoss]

Kit, I apologize if I seemed a jerk in my previous comment. I wanted to clarify my point a little. It is anti-biblical to claim that loud music alone is evil. I think you are correct in saying that anything can cause stumbling. I agree with that. I just disagree with the idea that all loud music is evil.

Psa 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

 

[JonahofAkron]

Psa 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

Genius. Thanks, Gary.

 

[Peace Seeker]

So a lot of posters in this thread talk about evil movies and evil music and evil this and evil that. Then they go on explaining how if we watch a horror movie, or a movie about magic, listen to a heavy metal song, or a pop song, etc etc, we will produce evil.

Dear Fraction,

For me what is more important than the content of a movie, song, or whatever, is the question why is one attracted to it? Can you watch movies that glorify gratuitous violence and then say that you are not into gratuitous violence? Can you play with fire and not get burned?

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.

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit, so what I watch and listen to, HE watches and listens to. Therefore, why would I willingly want to watch or listen to obviously evil things? And the Holy Spirit will always tell us if something is not good, and we can either listen to Him, or find a way to justify continuing to have things our way.

Who is to say that certain songs or movies are evil? The bible doesn't say that Spiderman is an evil movie somewhere in Romans.

I don't think Spiderman is an evil movie. Do you think Natural Born Killers, or The Omen is an evil movie?

It doesn't say that Separate Ways by Journey is an evil song somewhere in Hebrews.

This thread was specifically about heavy metal, then it morphed into satanic metal. Separate Ways by Journey is not heavy metal, and I don't think it is hard to see the difference between that song and say, a Slayer or other satanic metal song.

Plus, I'm not sure if you understand that just because a band doesn't call itself satanic, doesn't mean it isn't. Sex, drugs, rock and roll. No mention of satan there.

Rebellion (which is witchcraft) and all sorts of fleshly living and self-worship permeate hard rock and metal, whether they talk about or promote satan or not.
For example, is Motley Crue a satanic band? No, if your definition of satanic is only if someone says he worships satan. But they are satanic in their lifestyles, they glorify fleshly living and gross sinning to the max.

We have heard the phrase, "what would Jesus do?". I think it would help us if we also asked, "what would satan do?". I think satan would have us do exactly what Motley Crue and a lot of metal bands are doing. He would also be pleased at a lot of the movies we watch.

I can understand if the movie or songs point is saying "Hey kids, lets worship Satan).

Satan's attack strategy is rarely just to say, "hey you, come and worship me." He is much more subtle and cunning than that. He whispers in your ear that such and such thing is okay to do, that everyone is doing it, that God won't judge you, that you have freewill, that you're just being paranoid and legalistic about sin. ETC. He knows our weaknesses and plays heavily (but subtlety) on them. And you let your guard down and say, "yeah, there's nothing satanic about ______ (whatever it is)."

And once satan hooks you, you must either submit to Christ and battle the enemy with your Ephesians 6 weapons of warfare, or you succumb a little bit more each time to satan's lies and deceptions.

So this leads to my point, some of you act like we have NO control over our actions or thoughts after we watch or listen to something you believe to be evil.

Oh, we do have control, if we are led by and in submission to the Holy Spirit. But we can also ignore Him when He pricks our conscience, when we justify the movie, song or whatever we are doing.

What happens to this logic when someone watches the entire Harry Potter series, but doesn't turn into an evil wizard? Stays strong in the Christian religion and does not convert to something like Paganism?

If you were strong enough to not be affected by evil, I would say you would also be strong enough spiritually to not have or want any part of it.
We cannot see the spirit world, so we can't say what is or isn't going on there behind the scenes in our mind/spirit.

1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

If you have one foot in his kingdom and one in God's, he may very well devour you.

Maybe cast the blame to the people who actually consider evil actions and motivational thoughts to be acceptable. Even worse, acceptable by God.

That's all i am saying...

I think that, as others have alluded to, you are having a conscience pang with this whole subject, that's why you posted it. And your flesh is desperately wanting you to find justification for holding on to things that you likely shouldn't.

I have recently purged over 1/2 of my large blu-ray movie collection because I made a decision, based on the urging of the Spirit, to not watch movies that have swearing, violence, blashphemy, sex, etc. in them.
It was initially hard to do, not just because Blu-rays are expensive, but because I am a big movie fan and a lot of what I watch is based on which of my favorite movie stars is in it, moreso than the subject content.
For instance, I love Al Pacino's acting, but many of his movies are littered with cussing, gratuitous violence, take the Lord's name in vain, etc., so I choose to no longer partake of it. I love my Lord much more than I love any actor or movie.

I'm not telling you what to do, because we all have a conscience and as Christians we have the same Holy Spirit. And we are all individuals with freedom to choose. I would humbly suggest that rather than asking others what you should or shouldn't watch or listen to, or hoping they agree with you, that you put some prayer to God about the subject of heavy metal, movies, etc. It is obviously on your mind.

 

[Fraction]

Dear Fraction,

For me what is more important than the content of a movie, song, or whatever, is the question why is one attracted to it? Can you watch movies that glorify gratuitous violence and then say that you are not into gratuitous violence? Can you play with fire and not get burned?

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.

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit, so what I watch and listen to, HE watches and listens to. Therefore, why would I willingly want to watch or listen to obviously evil things? And the Holy Spirit will always tell us if something is not good, and we can either listen to Him, or find a way to justify continuing to have things our way.

I don't think Spiderman is an evil movie. Do you think Natural Born Killers, or The Omen is an evil movie?

This thread was specifically about heavy metal, then it morphed into satanic metal. Separate Ways by Journey is not heavy metal, and I don't think it is hard to see the difference between that song and say, a Slayer or other satanic metal song.

Plus, I'm not sure if you understand that just because a band doesn't call itself satanic, doesn't mean it isn't. Sex, drugs, rock and roll. No mention of satan there.

Rebellion (which is witchcraft) and all sorts of fleshly living and self-worship permeate hard rock and metal, whether they talk about or promote satan or not.
For example, is Motley Crue a satanic band? No, if your definition of satanic is only if someone says he worships satan. But they are satanic in their lifestyles, they glorify fleshly living and gross sinning to the max.

We have heard the phrase, "what would Jesus do?". I think it would help us if we also asked, "what would satan do?". I think satan would have us do exactly what Motley Crue and a lot of metal bands are doing. He would also be pleased at a lot of the movies we watch.

Satan's attack strategy is rarely just to say, "hey you, come and worship me." He is much more subtle and cunning than that. He whispers in your ear that such and such thing is okay to do, that everyone is doing it, that God won't judge you, that you have freewill, that you're just being paranoid and legalistic about sin. ETC. He knows our weaknesses and plays heavily (but subtlety) on them. And you let your guard down and say, "yeah, there's nothing satanic about ______ (whatever it is)."

And once satan hooks you, you must either submit to Christ and battle the enemy with your Ephesians 6 weapons of warfare, or you succumb a little bit more each time to satan's lies and deceptions.

Oh, we do have control, if we are led by and in submission to the Holy Spirit. But we can also ignore Him when He pricks our conscience, when we justify the movie, song or whatever we are doing.

If you were strong enough to not be affected by evil, I would say you would also be strong enough spiritually to not have or want any part of it.
We cannot see the spirit world, so we can't say what is or isn't going on there behind the scenes in our mind/spirit.

1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

If you have one foot in his kingdom and one in God's, he may very well devour you.

I think that, as others have alluded to, you are having a conscience pang with this whole subject, that's why you posted it. And your flesh is desperately wanting you to find justification for holding on to things that you likely shouldn't.

I have recently purged over 1/2 of my large blu-ray movie collection because I made a decision, based on the urging of the Spirit, to not watch movies that have swearing, violence, blashphemy, sex, etc. in them.
It was initially hard to do, not just because Blu-rays are expensive, but because I am a big movie fan and a lot of what I watch is based on which of my favorite movie stars is in it, moreso than the subject content.
For instance, I love Al Pacino's acting, but many of his movies are littered with cussing, gratuitous violence, take the Lord's name in vain, etc., so I choose to no longer partake of it. I love my Lord much more than I love any actor or movie.

I'm not telling you what to do, because we all have a conscience and as Christians we have the same Holy Spirit. And we are all individuals with freedom to choose. I would humbly suggest that rather than asking others what you should or shouldn't watch or listen to, or hoping they agree with you, that you put some prayer to God about the subject of heavy metal, movies, etc. It is obviously on your mind.

You so easily assume that people seek violent movies because they obviously like violence. What about the other aspects of the movie hm? What about the hero of most of these movies that rise about fear and doubt, accept courage, and conquer the bad guy? What about the positive things we can see or take from these movies? Maybe that is why some people watch. Just a thought.

How exactly would one decide the difference between a good and evil movie or song? You say that the Holy Spirit will guide us into a decision on this, which I agree too. However, what happens when two Christians clash on opinions? What if one Christian seen no evil in a certain movie, but another Christian did? Is the Holy Spirit guiding them individually and differently? Well, we all can obviously see difference between Christians, more so online because it is more open.

I don't think spiderman is an evil movie either, but I am sure there is someone out there who thinks super heroes are satanic. Unless the movie instructs me to turn away from God completely, I don't get an evil vibe from it honestly. I find myself having fun and comfortable when watching a lot of movies others find satanic or evil.

Of course Journey isn't heavy metal, I am actually a huge music person and know that. It was just an example of music as a whole. Not this entire thread was it directed 100% at heavy metal. Which is obvious to me at least lol.

Of course there isn't any mention of satan there, usually something satanic in literal definition would be something within satanism worshiping. I don't use the word satanic, I find it a bit over dramatic. These songs that talk about sex, drugs, violence, etc etc are in fact not good. I can agree with you on that, since I tend to avoid rap for that reason. To attack an entire genre because of divided parts. isn't very logical and unfair though. If you were to do this, might as well toss your religion out right now because Christianity has a bloody past as well in the hands of humankind. I understand what satanic is, but over all I know what you mean. I understand perfectly the difference between bad and good, good and evil.

Now you target the actual artists, which is reasonable because they are role models for their listeners. We can't forget that it's not our job to judge anyone for their lifestyle or sins. The listeners also have a choice to make for themselves, can't blame an artist for someone who heard there song killing their next door neighbor. It wasn't Motley Crue's fault.

I'm pretty sure Satan would rather us drop our faith entirely, instead of just sinning or doing things God doesn't like. We can always realize our wrong doings and come back to God. However, when we lose our faith we lose our strength against the unseen. I'm not saying that Satan doesn't have his ways of tricking and appealing to us, but how do we really know this from that nowadays? You say the Holy Spirit, but mine says something different than your opinion.

We do have control, if we are led by the Holy Spirit. I believe that we always have a choice and control over these choices. God doesn't force us to do anything. The Holy Spirit though is valuable in helping us make our decisions, this I am sure of. Without faith we don't have a choice in eternal life, but we still can chose to not kill people. See where I am going?

I also don't think that I am having trouble with this issue. I am not seeking approval, but stating my opinions. Regardless to how I may sound on the forums, I am actually interested in what others believe and think and why they do so. I do like expanding my mind and seeing what others think about subjects, and what they think about my opinions.

I can see you followed what you needed to follow, and my respect goes out to you for this. I don't believe it would be an easy thing to do what you have done, since you do enjoy movies. I am a big movie fan myself, but I also understand that if it is horrible for me and challenging me in areas that should not be challenged then there is an issue.

I understand where you are coming from, and I don't think you are telling me what to do. You are simply expressing yourself, and you have done a very good job doing just that. Despite what might be taken from my reply, I do greatly respect your opinions and views, your actions and thoughts. I also want to make it clear that the same goes for everyone on the forum. In no way am I trying to challenge your beliefs, but I intend to gather information. I believe that knowledge is power, and understanding each other strengthens humanity as a whole.

 

[Peace Seeker]

You so easily assume that people seek violent movies because they obviously like violence. What about the other aspects of the movie hm? What about the hero of most of these movies that rise about fear and doubt, accept courage, and conquer the bad guy? What about the positive things we can see or take from these movies? Maybe that is why some people watch. Just a thought.

I didn't say, nor was I implying that people (including you) "seek" violent movies because they like violence. I just questioned why someone would accept it in the first place.

Job (chap 31) talks about Job making a covenant with his eyes. It was about women but I think the concept can be applicable to other things, such as violence, immorality, etc. Don't you?

Are we making a covenant with violence and evil when we watch it? I don't know, just thinking out loud, some food for thought.
Also, would God say, "okay, you can watch that horribly violent movie because there are some good characters in it"?

I will not deny that the movie, "Unforgiven", starring Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman, has awesome acting and other elements that won it several Oscars. But I will not watch it because of the gratuitous violence and filthy language, among other things, because I have made a covenant with my eyes not to revel in things that are not profitable to me.

If we as Christians are setting our minds on Christ, as we should, why would we participate in things that He would not approve of? It has to be for more than simplistic reasons like we like the sound of a band's guitars, or we like a certain actor in a movie, or similar.

I agree that a lot of movies have the types of plot lines you mention, But I'm not sure if we're talking about 2 different things or not in our perspective posts. So I am trying to ascertain by what criteria you decide whether something is good or bad.

Are you saying that because a movie has these elements you mentioned, or similar : "a hero that rises above fear and doubt, accepts courage, and conquer the bad guy", that it doesn't matter how much evil, violence or other unsavory aspects is in the movie?

I don't believe violence in a movie makes it "bad", unless it is gratuitous, mindless, senseless violence. An example would be the movie, "Hostel", which is about nothing more than people being tortured for other people's fun.
I am hoping that you would not think that movie would be okay to watch, just because there is a "good guy" who rescues one woman at the end of the movie. Do you see what I'm getting at?

Same goes for heavy metal music. To continue with my Motley Crue example (for convenience sake), no matter how much you may like the guitar riffs, the way Tommy Lee drums, or whatever in it, is there anything redeemable about their song, "Ba***rd"?, that nonchalantly and callously talks about murdering someone?

what happens when two Christians clash on opinions? What if one Christian seen no evil in a certain movie, but another Christian did? Is the Holy Spirit guiding them individually and differently?

Perhaps the simple answer is, there are baby Christians and mature Christians, and they respond differently to the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit can be ignored if we choose to. If we are gratifying the flesh we can miss out on His words as well.

These songs that talk about sex, drugs, violence, etc etc are in fact not good. I can agree with you on that, since I tend to avoid rap for that reason. To attack an entire genre because of divided parts. isn't very logical and unfair though.
If you were to do this, might as well toss your religion out right now because Christianity has a bloody past as well in the hands of humankind.

I haven't attacked any genre, let alone an entire one. I have attacked ungodly lifestyles, lyrics and attitudes of bands though. And as to your next comment, are you seriously suggesting that if we toss out ungodly metal bands that we should toss out Christianity as well?????
:shock:

You might want to rethink that assertion!

I understand perfectly the difference between bad and good, good and evil.

Well, from the satanic bands you mentioned, perhaps you have some grey areas rather than black and white views on it.

You mentioned liking the band, DEICIDE, of which their songs include many vehement anti-Christian themes, with blasphemous song titles that I can't even print here. Their drummer said, "The whole point of Satanic music is to blaspheme against the Church."

Now tell me please why you like this band? As long as the guitars sound cool, blasphemy is okay? As long as they play the style of music you like (fast, thumping, powerful, whatever), evil is okay?

There is no way the Holy Spirit is okay with you liking that band, and making the excuse you did, which is what it is my friend, an excuse, that the Holy Spirit guides Christians individually and differently, is just making a mockery out of the goodness of God.

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

I'm pretty sure Satan would rather us drop our faith entirely, instead of just sinning or doing things God doesn't like.

The more we sin, the more reprobate our minds get. We either live by the flesh or by the Spirit. God will spit the lukewarm out of His mouth.

We can always realize our wrong doings and come back to God.

Yes, if we believe the satanic lie in Led Zeppelin's song, "Stairway to Heaven", that "there's still time to change the road you're on".

It sounds like maybe this is the reason you have no problem with satanic metal, evil movies, etc.? Because of grace you think you have a license to sin, or that sin is not a big deal?

That's a very dangerous attitude. The Apostle Paul admonished us not to think that because we are under grace that it means sin can abound.

Romans 6:15
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

I also don't think that I am having trouble with this issue. I am not seeking approval, but stating my opinions. Regardless to how I may sound on the forums, I am actually interested in what others believe and think and why they do so. I do like expanding my mind and seeing what others think about subjects, and what they think about my opinions.

That's fine if you are not having trouble with this issue. Please remember though, that we should not trust our own judgment, we should trust God's.

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

I understand where you are coming from, and I don't think you are telling me what to do.

Nope, I'm not doing that. You asked a question to start this thread and I am answering it. What you do is between you and God, but on the other hand, we as Christians are to reprove one another if necessary, in the spirit of love.

Despite what might be taken from my reply, I do greatly respect your opinions and views, your actions and thoughts. I also want to make it clear that the same goes for everyone on the forum. In no way am I trying to challenge your beliefs, but I intend to gather information. I believe that knowledge is power, and understanding each other strengthens humanity as a whole.

Peace, brother and God be with you!

 

[Kit Carson]

Kit, I apologize if I seemed a jerk in my previous comment. I wanted to clarify my point a little. It is anti-biblical to claim that loud music alone is evil. I think you are correct in saying that anything can cause stumbling. I agree with that. I just disagree with the idea that all loud music is evil.

Hey:

Never considered you a jerk. Just a fellow Christian with an opinion like we all have. I try always to understand, to make a friend, and never ever say an unkind word deliberately or fuss. If I have to back up two steps to keep things calm I will back up three.
This is the internet and we are not face to face in discussion and one has to realize all things have many facts and none of us express them all perfectly in any situation.

There will come a time when your new spirit will show you right and wrong instantly. When you listen to this, it is always right.

Many things can and do cause influence in our lives, some good some bad, but most things associated with heavy metal music even though not always apparent to be bad, many times are. But as one person has said, he appreciates the discussion, but what is wrong with heavy metal in pure form in the worship to God. Nothing , nothing at all. In that form.

Music, drugs, drinking to excess, girls with short skirts and dancing eyes, you can sit in the midst of it all, just beware of allowing any of it to sit in your pocket.

I got a call last week about a stopped up drain in a bar. It was late at night and I could have made a couple hundred bucks to run the call, but you see, I have no desire to visit any bar for any reason, be it pleasure or profit and simply will not. When you enter you have to scream to be heard, the music is so loud, dancing girls play on poles, and the work is nasty and one feels like one needs to be sprayed with bug spray when one leaves.

In the form of truth and heavy metal in some forms, and in worship to God is cool.

Just grin if Kit asks for ear plugs.

Kit