Since you asked the opinion of not only the whole board, but another atheist as well, I guess I'd be more than welcomed to chime in, and I'd be glad to.

Really, it's insanely absurd to say that listening to a certain band (no matter how bad they are quality wise ) is a "Sin". That's like saying eating a certain food is a type of Sin (Yes, I know what it says in the Bible. No pig or shellfish. I'm ponting out how silly that is too).

From a religious perspective, the only way I can see listening to certain music is a Sin is by using it as a reason to do bad stuff. Ex: Saying "I interpreted SOAD's music into a message saying I should go and do drugs and fight!", and in reality, doing that is as absurd as saying listening to it is a Sin.

If you like it, that's your business, even if I don't like it either, which I don't, but I won't make you stop listening to it. Though this would be a bad idea to suggest here, if your religious family is trying to force you into abandoning the stuff you like THAT IS DOING NO HARM, then I'd honestly suggest one of two things: 1) Lose religion all together (You can keep your "religious morals", trust me, but you don't need to be with religion), or 2) Move over to a different, more accepting religion (This is for the case where you absolutely need a God in your life. When you really look at the grand scheme of things, all gods are the same, the only differences are the tales said about them and their names, Nya~).
But anyways, moving on from that, no, listening and liking a certain genre of music or a band is not a Sin, Nya~.

MegaRevolution1 : Are you saying I should no longer be religious and just forget God? Just like that? I am a very religious Christian, but I feel giving up God or shutting him out would be extremely difficult if not impossible.

BluemageKyle : I can't agree with mega. If following God means anything to you, you'll do whatever He asks. Now, to answer the question.

I don't think listening to songs with cuss words and/or bad morals is any kind of a good idea. It can be harmful, causing you to take your focus off God. I do however think that it depends on you. I know this is dangerous ground. To specify, if you are tempted to sin, or sin as a result of this, then it could be considered sin. If you can listen to non-immoral songs and not feel tempted in any way, then I don't think it'd be sin. Sin can be defined as "The willful betrayal of the perfect and holy God". I find substitutes in christian music instead. For rap I like Lecrae/Trip Lee/The Ambassador (rap). For hip-hop, you just can't beat Toby Mac. For more toned-down music, try Matthew West. I hope you find this helpful, and please remember that this is my opinion. I don't speak for the christian community with this post.

Not really. I'm saying if it COMES DOWN TO IT, as in, you're under pressure, being forced to leave all the music stuff you love behind because of it, etc etc. If it doesn't get to that level, then you don't need to unless you want to.

Not to sound like a jerk, but, between your love of music that could possibly bring great potential to your life if you choose a career based around it, and your love of your god which can only help you with your faith and certain morals (which you could overall get from being a general nice guy), which is really gonna get you far?

Again, I don't mean to sound like a jerk or like I'm trying to convert you. I'm only suggesting this if your family, church, etc tries to take your love of music away. From the sound of things, it's only your grandmother, so I don't suggest it just yet, but only in times of trouble.

mrfe : As expected of someone like you. However, though you won't respect my idea, I will respect yours and not argue against your point against mine, Nya~.

I disagree with Mega as well, though I'm sure Mega expects it of me even more than Mega expects it of mrfe.  LOL

You can't throw your religion out your window because you like your music.  That's just silly.

I don't have the time to give a detailed response, but I can say this much: If you're not sure that you should be listening to it, it's better to be safe than sorry.

I'll post more about music later when I'm not buried under finals to grade.  

EDITED to avoid offending people.

MegaRevolution1 : I have never really seen my church try to take away my love for music. I personally like some choir music/gospel, mostly because there is a church band and I participate as a guitarist/bassist. But I have also never seen my parents try to do so, only my grandmother.

If you feel that it's a sin - then it is a sin. Keep in mind if you're listening to music that's questionable - is it something that is benefiting to listen to according to your relationship with God - does it bring you closer to God or does it bring you closer to worldly values, because music sometimes does have an impact on your thought process depending on how of it you listen to.

I don't think that people will ask you to stop listening to such music unless it is causing you to pull away from God, or results in you becoming more hostile towards the gospel/other believers. Even if they do, isn't God and eternal life worth more than 85 years of music?
MegaRevolution1 : Nowhere did I say that I don't respect your position. I cannot agree, but I'm not going to cause unnecessary conflict because of your beliefs. I respect all people, even those who hate me. While I could debate with you all day, I choose not to in the interest of keeping vizzed as hate-free as possible. I don't expect you to understand my side, just as I can't fully grasp why you choose the side of atheism. I'm not going to insult you, and I ask you don't insult me either. Have a great night!

Just my two cents, but as one who tends to listen to music outside of my peers preferred range, I completely understand your position here. I myself say, so long as you as a Christian can relate to what it says, it doesn't say things that a Christian shouldn't say, or comunicate messages that go against Christian morals and such (sacrilegious, hate, glorifying drug use,etc.) and it doesn't make you feel ungodly feelings and such, then you're good to go. I know nothing about the particular groups you've listed, but I don't feel that a song is good or evil because of who sings it, but rather because of what it says and what it makes you feel (though many groups and artists seem to only produce songs that don't live up to these standards). As I said, this is just an opinion, and I hardly consider myself an authority on the subject. I have been wrong many times before, and I will be again.

Now, I have no idea what type of music you listen to, but if we are talking about the genre of the music, no, it is not a sin. If we are talking about the content of the music, ehhhhhhh.....it depends. I understand that some people don't listen to music because of their content and more of the beat, but there are some songs that have some really bad content in them. The more you listen to these types of music, the more you would you think of such things and not only become a distraction from God, but also to have ungodly thoughts. If music like this would cause sinful thoughts, don't listen to it.

My first thought as a rule of thumb: "Finally, brothers and sisters, 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." Philippians 4:8

While its true that the music is not in fact worshiping God it does seem that it is dishonoring God or insulting him so I would put it as neutral. However, since it does seem like its important to you and involves memories with your family.   I would keep listening to it but avoid it if it dishonors God in vain or such if you're trying to be a good christian.  Personally though, family is more important than a religious deity to me but that is just my personal opinion.

Saying that something bad will happen to you or something else is just absurd on so many levels.

If you like it, listen to it. That's really all that matters here. As long as it doesn't hurt you or anyone else there is nothing wrong with it. If you feel guilty for listening to it, then that means it's making you feel bad and taking any enjoyment out of it, so you should probably not listen to it.

Saying Rock music is "The Devil" or some other BS like that is old fashioned and totally nonsensical. I promise you will be ok if you do choose to keep listening to it.

BluemageKyle : Personally, the best advice I can give is to do your research. Music is a form of self-expression, and is generally not meant to provoke any specific action or influence. People can be influenced by music, and it can even cause them to take action, but that is not the fault of the musician, but the person instead. No one forces you to do anything because a musician says you should in their lyrics, or that they say you shouldn't. The bible states that one of the faith should steer clear of those who would cause you to stumble in your beliefs, so I would assume that would mean to stay away from that which could provoke ill thoughts, as well. However, christ made no secret of the fact that he placed himself amongst those who would turn from god,
in hopes that they would follow and change their ways; with the transition over to the new covenant, I am unsure which is supposed to be applicable now, however. Personally, I also have to disagree with tRIUNE; just because you think it is a sin, doesn't mean it is- no more than just because you think something is ok and isn't a sin, doesn't mean that it isn't.

What I  mean by research, is to actually look at the background of bands and their members. In fact, to see something as wrong without even knowing or understanding it would be placing judgment, which is also sinful. Slipknot may be semi-hard, but most all of the members that have been in the band are religious, and some even Christians; the same can be said for SoAD. Even music that has cursing or things that would be considered evil in it; music is expression of self, but in no way dictates who a person is. It is the same as painting, advertising, writing poetry, dancing- it is an artistic expression. Actually, in many instances, allowing your pain and darkness to be expressed through art is therapy. It can help you to disperse feelings that could otherwise build up inside you, and eventually initiate negative actions.

The final point I will make, is that 'sin' is all around you, and just because it is there, doesn't mean it has to affect you as an individual. If you stop listening to music because it has a negative message, you may as well stop watching television, too. While you are at it, cut out movies, games, websites, books, sports, places, and people that have negative aspects with possible influential properties. If you walk outside your door, you may see a billboard advertising a product in a sinful way, or when you fall asleep, you may have sinful dreams. So better yet, go live on a mountain in solitude with only the bare essentials of survival to stimulate you.

I am sure you get the point by now. Even the bible states that we live in a world full of sin, therefore it is unavoidable; however, the affect you allow it to have on your life is a choice you make personally.

Anyway, that's all I got. I hope it helps you out.

GuardianZack : Thank you, I think that that was extremely helpful. 
Singelli :
Jordanv78 :
Noobolicious :
Eirinn :
tRIUNE:
mrfe :
MegaRevolution: Thank you for your input as well!
Local Mods : Please close this. 

BluemageKyle : Fixing you're fail summons.
tRIUNE : ^
MegaRevolution1 : ^

There aren't any Local Mods in this section (Even though there definitely should be!~), so that won't work.

Global Mods : OP has requested that his thread be closed.

MegaRevolution1 : Hmm, maybe when I am 13 I can try and apply for Local Moderator for this forum.

BluemageKyle : There won't ever be Locals assigned to this forum.


Closed upon OP request