Religion & Metal

[Djentleman]

So today my dad officially couldn't stand me listening to "satantic" music. I listen to metal mostly so a lot of the time you'll hear distorted guitars, double-peddled bass and roaring/screaming. This apparently is "evil" in my fathers eyes, so he told me it's banned. But then I hear my sister listening to 50 cent and some other (c)rap/hip hop with lyrics about drugs, money, sex and popping a cap in someones temple. So I have a question to ask.

Do you think heavy metal is wrong/bad/evil/satanic?

This is not an invitation to hate on religion!

[Djentleman]

And that is exactly what I keep on pointing out. A priest I asked even said the same thing, but it's strange that people think that.

[christianteen]

Not at all. I'm a Christian and I listen to tons of metal and its subgenres. But I always research a new band to find out it it's satanic or not before I really start listening to it. Some of my favorite bands are Metallica, Ironmaiden, Slipknot, System of a Down, Disturbed, DragonForce and Tenacious D.

[Djentleman]

Not at all. I'm a Christian and I listen to tons of metal and its subgenres. But I always research a new band to find out it it's satanic or not before I really start listening to it. Some of my favorite bands are Metallica, Ironmaiden, Slipknot, System of a Down, Disturbed, DragonForce and Tenacious D.

See, now if I got given the option of research before playing every song, then I'd happily do it. But the screaming in itself sounds "demonic".

He just read me something from a book literally a second ago saying:

Any music which is suggestive is classified sinful and should be abandoned.

Now i think the midstream airwaves is what has the most suggestive music if you ask me and no ones going ape about that. Even kids under 10 are singing lyrics from songs like "Candy Shop". Now if only my dad knew...

[Anselmo]

Search the lyrics and see for yourself if the music have satanic content. The only problem i have when i'm listening metal among my christian family is volume issues...
Show the lyrics of the musics that you listen and the musics that your sister listen to your dad.

[Djentleman]

He knows about the lyrics, but he reckons that the screaming and the "aggressive" side to it comes across as suggesting sinful things. He actually compared the screaming to that of a possessed person.

[Anselmo]

because it's metal doesn't mean it includes screaming and stuff like that...
There is "white metal" that is very demoniac :)
here is an example
KubgMDSMXfI
Speak of the devil
He's no friend of mine
To turn from him is what we have in mind

Just a liar and a thief
The word tells us so
We like to let him know
Where he can go

[Chorus]
To hell with the devil
To hell with the devil

When things are going wrong
You know who to blame
He will always live
Up to his name

He's never been the answer
There's a better way
We are here to rock you
And to say...

[Repeat Chorus]

Is this satanic to your dad?

[Celeste]

Do you think heavy metal is wrong/bad/evil/satanic?

http://www.myfacewhen.net/uploads/585-u-serious-kent-from-dead-rising.png

[Djentleman]

because it's metal doesn't mean it includes screaming and stuff like that...
There is "white metal" that is very demoniac :)
here is an example
KubgMDSMXfI
Speak of the devil
He's no friend of mine
To turn from him is what we have in mind

Just a liar and a thief
The word tells us so
We like to let him know
Where he can go

[Chorus]
To hell with the devil
To hell with the devil

When things are going wrong
You know who to blame
He will always live
Up to his name

He's never been the answer
There's a better way
We are here to rock you
And to say...

[Repeat Chorus]

Is this satanic to your dad?

image (http://www.myfacewhen.net/uploads/585-u-serious-kent-from-dead-rising.png)

I understand you get stuff like that man, and of course I don't think he has that much of a problem with that as much, he just thinks that's loud and annoying, but i listen to bands like August Burns Red, Trivium, Lamb Of God, Periphery and so on which heavily feature screaming in them. I think that's one of the main factors of why he can't stand it. I used to listen to Underoath a lot back in the day and I know they're Christian Metal as well. But they roar to that wouldn't make sense to him.

I think anybody with old christian or catholic beliefs like my dad just have this instant disliking to the aggressive nature to the music we listen to and they quickly label it.

[Djentleman]

image (http://www.myfacewhen.net/uploads/585-u-serious-kent-from-dead-rising.png)

And yes, I most certainly am.

[Anselmo]

i listen to bands like August Burns Red, Trivium, Lamb Of God, Periphery and so on which heavily feature screaming in them

My mom can't stand Children of Bodom. i know how you feel. Just explain him that you personality won't change because of this style of music. This worked for me...

[Djentleman]

Just explain him that you personality won't change because of this style of music. This worked for me...

Tried and failed my friend.

Our boiler broke today, so I'm sitting in a house with no heating and it's -2 outside. It's really cold here. You know what my dad said. My music is bringing demons into the house and causing things to go wrong with the house. What the hell do you say to that. No where in the bible did it say heavy music is to be abolished. So i don't see how it works out to be like that.

[Jess]

Heavy metal isn't the kind of music I would listen to, but there's nothing wrong with it and it's in no way evil or satanic

[Syvelocin]

Unless they're singing inspirational Christian music or talking about sacrificing dead babies to Mephistopheles, it really doesn't matter whatever religion the band members are part of. No one should give a damn. Other than you know, worship music, the most Christian-influenced music I've ever heard comes from metal. And they do it well though. Without making me want to gouge my eardrums out.

Everyone gets hung up on their religion, their looks, their sexuality, when that makes no fucking difference to the music they've already produced. Just enjoy the damn music.

This apparently is "evil" in my fathers eyes, so he told me it's banned.
And you're going to listen to him? Lol. It's only an issue if you're going to obey him. Which I don't see why. What music you listen to is really easy to go under the radar. Not that I advise disobedience, but this is bullshit, by no means should you actually listen to him in this situation.

Maybe I'm just spoiled because I had a "don't ask, don't tell" thing going on with my parents. :P

[ryan2000]

I think that you should tell your father that you are your own person, and you can listen to whatever you want. If you do not wish to follow step by step what he believes in, he should respect that. I, personally, am atheist, while my father and sister are Christian. They do not force me to go to church, listen to certain music, or pray. They just understand who I am.

[Gaybaby94]

Another example of religion controlling aspects of life. There is nothing wrong with heavy metal at all! But you should listen to your father while in his house as respect to his "religious" beliefs. After you go out on your own, you can do whatever you want.

[Jupiter]

as long as it taking over your life, i honestly don't see anything wrong with it.

[Asher]

What everyone else has said. My dad's the same way; he thinks it's the style of the music that's "morbid" (in his words). Really it's the lyrics that matter. It sounds like your dad's using religion as a justification for his personal dislike of metal.

[Djentleman]

It sounds like your dad's using religion as a justification for his personal dislike of metal.

Win.

There's no way I'm going to stop playing my music. Everyone in this house has the right to play their music, all of which I dislike. So why should I stop playing it because of one other persons dislike of it. I'm not going to sit in silence until I move out. And listening to music through earphones isn't half as awesome as listening to it through a sound system.

Like Syvelocin said, music to me needs no image, history or fair for me to like it. People who do, fair enough, but that doesn't ever change the music. I only use the fact that christian metal bands exist just to please me dad. But if it sounds awesome, then it shall be played.

I'm going to print various lyrics from some songs I listen to and hang them around my room and on my door and then play the songs and if he says anything, I'l tell him to look at the pages and tell me if theres anything wrong that he spots.

Do others go through issues like this as well?

[dark_soul777]

If metal is evil, what the fuck is this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_metal) ;)
I don't think music can be either good nor evil. It just is. Sure the themes can be violent, but really watching the news on an average day is 10 times worse than most metal songs (Okay, maybe not these) (http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/entertainment/sickest_album_covers_of_all_time.html)
But as for your sister listening to rap and that not being "evil", I think that's bullshit. Rap lyrics are often worse than what you find in metal, even if metal has a darker sound.
Is their any way you can listen to your music via headphones so as to not get in trouble? When I listen to darker/swearinger stuff around my parents thats what I do.

[Djentleman]

Is their any way you can listen to your music via headphones so as to not get in trouble? When I listen to darker/swearinger stuff around my parents thats what I do.

Yes I could, but considering most of my collection is metal with people roaring, I'm gong to have to use my earphones at home all the bloody time. And when you're in your own home, you kinda want to just chill with the speakers on you know.

[dark_soul777]

I know exactly what you mean, but at least it's better than nothing :) Also It's a lot better if you get a pair of decent quality comfortable headphones, I prefer over-ear ones.

[Mortal Coil]

I'm pretty religious, but I listen to metal.
While some of the metal I listen to IS satanic, a lot of it isn't, and no offence but your dad is just ignorant. It's not satanic unless it lyrically says things about supporting satan, tearing down organized religion, etc.

[Magus]

I'm pretty religious, but I listen to metal.
While some of the metal I listen to IS satanic, a lot of it isn't, and no offence but your dad is just ignorant. It's not satanic unless it lyrically says things about supporting satan, tearing down organized religion, etc.There is no such thing as Satanic. There is no Satan to begin with. Yes, even those with black and white facepaints doing some black metal. Those are doing it for the fun, not for the Satan.

[Azunite]

One thing:

Dave Mustaine is a devoted Christian.

[shatter..]

No, I do not think that metal or any kind of music that has screaming in it is evil. It's just another way of expressing a feeling or emotion to others. People will receive feelings different ways and screaming just happens to be one of them. Heck, I listen to deathcore and I look like your average girl. It doesn't make anyone evil either. People are actually surprised to find out I listen to it.

[Djentleman]

no offence but your dad is just ignorant.

Haha, none taken. Seriously though, I have told him a million times about the lyrical content having the meaning behind any song. The way the artist brings the song across is just expression. I could understand if he says he just dislikes the music (which he blatantly does), but involving religion is a bit far fetched. But I have a strong feeling there are many others who have the same mindset as him. I don't know how you could win an argument against someone who's as ignorant.

[Bath]

There are tons of heavy metal / hardcore Christian bands.

Tell your dad that. Find some examples :p

[shatter..]

In fact, some of the most amazing and deep lyrics come from hardcore bands. They choose to accept strong emotions rather than bottle them up.

[rockNroll]

Listen to Underoath and As I Lay Dying. If he still gets mad at you, forget him. Turn up the Marilyn Manson and Ghost!

Really, I'm atheist and yet I listen to christian metal and so called "Satanic" metal. Which of course doesn't exist, it's 100% for shock value. Songs can have messages that involve negative morals, but who says that just because you listen to it, you feel compelled to go out and do whatever the song suggests? If that was true, prisons would be filled with anyone who listens to music.

I have trouble visualizing that :P
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_metal_bands
I bet you'll find some bands in there that you listen to that you didn't even know were Christian.

posts merged. do not double post, use the edit button to add in anything extra. -embers

[Djentleman]

Listen to Underoath and As I Lay Dying.

But who says that just because you listen to it, you feel compelled to go out and do whatever the song suggests? If that was true, prisons would be filled with anyone who listens to music.

I actually listened to Decas (AILD) this morning until track 10 I think, before i got told to switch it off. I haven't listened to Underoath in years though.

But you've got a very awesome and valid point. Ill quote him that line the next time I see him for sure. I suppose there's no such thing as "satanic metal". But I won't go crossing the line listening to anything paying "false" homage to anything I don't believe in anyway. Regardless of who is telling me what is right and wrong.

I've definitely heard of a few bands in there, but I didn't know they were Christian metal which was funny. Still Remains as well? Now that's wicked. I might go download some Zao because I haven't listened to them for a couple years as well.

But yeah. I'll see what his next complain about these things are.

[General Stark]

Heavy metal isn't wrong at all. It's what is in the lyrics that make a song either bad or good. Logically speaking, it's a genre of music, simply a different playing style from rock, rap, ska, country, classical, etc. If heavy metal is satanic, then what stops the other genres from being the same?

[superstarB]

Lyrics wise it might be bad (bad as in the message it gives) but I don't think its bad to religion and of course I don't think music is bad in the way that no one should listen to it

[Cicero]

All metal music is Satans music. It's fact.


Haha Jk

Your friends stupid. It's not. It does however have some satanic roots with some artists. There are also some songs that have strong satanic messages like that "number of the beast" song.

[Emerald Dream]

Please do not post in threads with more than two months of inactivity. :locked: