For every christian song I listen to, I listen to 10 secular
songs. In fact, I listen to stuff like Megadeth, Black Sabbath,
Slipknot, Nirvana and many others which people denounced as
hopeless people, angry people, violent people and dangerous
people.
I started seriously listening to music at the age of 8 or 9 when I
bought my first cassette compilation including some Michael Jackson
songs. My first idols were AIR SUPPLY haha. I went on to some
cheesy chinese pop songs like Sky Wu etc. At 13, I was introduced
to Nirvana and fell in love with them till today. I went on to Guns
and Roses and getting not enough of them, I went on to Megadeth,
AC/DC, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden and such. I was crazy over
these bands who wore PVC pants that are so tight that will make u
screech because it seems that they are so stylo on stage and girls
seem to love them (if u read those stories of groupies offering
themselves hehe).
It went on till I am 17 when I was first introduced to Christ. I
accepted Jesus into my life a few mths later in Poly. That was when
I started learning the guitar and singing. As a christian, I heard
many conflicting views about secular music alone, not even talking
about heavy metal or what. Most say that it is better to stay clear
of them. Some say it is ok. I began to question God about such
things, whether as christians, do we have to go to such extremes?
Is God such a God?
At this point of time, I also got into the band thing with several
christians who are into such rock stuff and this went on for many
years. Over the years, I get questioned in church, by friends and
family even, that should christians be playing and listening to
rock or secular music? Having said that, I am not saying that all
my songs are with profanities lah, in fact none of them have lah
hehehe.
To me as a musician, i insist on listening to all sorts of music to
improve myself. Listening to various music improves my imagination
in music creation. I told myself, Hey GOd gave me a gift, I need to
work on it. So i continued to listen to all sorts of music,
secular, christian.
Granted, it is not wrong to say that some music does really glorify
suicide, violence, negativity. But I always challenge people who
makes a sweeping statement that "then it is up to us to make a
diffference." The crux is not the music, but the message. If we
listen to such music with negative messages and we dun like it,
then lets come up with such music with a positive message! When
people listent to Nirvana and Kurt Cobain they say "oh how sad,
another pathetic person. Just dun understand what he thinking."
When I listen to Nirvana and Kurt Cobain nowadays, I still think
and reflect "What a difference it could have been if someone shared
about the acceptance and love of God to Kurt." Where people
shunned, I see opportunity.
Maybe it is because I felt that God called me to such a ministry
where I want to use music that is not widely accepted or what we
call the sub culture to reach out to youths. Rock music, secular
music, i never advocate it is good but i wun say it is bad either.
Many things in this world is how you use it, just like the
internet.
For dumbdumb, do not be discouraged if christians seem to tell you
that secular music is bad. Ask yourself, what do you think God is
telling you? And also be honest with yourself, when you listen to
secular music, do you have an urge to make a difference or do you
find urself very influenced by them (e.g. you find glory in
violence? or some cheesy love songs make u only think of having a
girlfriend all the time? you know what i mean right?) If you are
very influenced by them and you realised it, it maybe better to
stop. Like to leave you this song by Larry Norman
"Why Should The devil Have All The Good Music"
Written by: Larry Norman (1977)
Album: Small Corners (197
I want the people to know
That He saved my soul
But I still like to listen to the radio
They say that rock and roll is wrong, we'll give you more
chance
I say I feel so good I gotta get up and dance
I know what's right, I know what's wrong and I don't confuse
it
Why should the devil have all the good music
I feel good every day
'Cause Jesus is the Rock and He rolled my blues away
Well now they say to cut my hair
They're driving me insane
I grew it out long to make room for my brain
But sometimes people don't understand
What's a good boy doing in a rock and roll band
There's nothing wrong with playing blues licks
But if you got a reason tell me to my face
Why should the devil have all the good music
There's nothing wrong with what we play
'Cause Jesus is the Rock and He rolled my blues away
Roll 'em away now!
I ain't knocking the hymns
Just give me a song that has a beat
No I ain't knocki8ng the hymns
Give me a song that moves my feet
Jesus told the Truth
Jesus showed the Way
There's one more thing I'd like to say
They nailed Him to a cross
And they laid Him in the ground
But they shoulda known they can't keep a Good Man down
And I feel good every day
I refuse to lose it
All I wanna I know from all of you is
Why should the devil have all the good music
'Cos I been filled I feel okay because Jesus is the Rock and He
rolled all my blues
Jesus is the Rock and He rolled all my blues
Jesus is the Rock and He rolled all my blues
