Music

[CharityNeverFaileth]

I often see the younger children walk all over the place with either headphones glued into their ears or even the college students that are even around my age are carrying around portable speakers to listen to their music super loud without even being considerate of others. I always wondered how it is that we have become a music centered society. Everything is about music. And I always wondered why that is? Why has everything been about music that we don't even want to talk to each other?

Then I came across this article really by accident, but maybe it answered some questions, but maybe it makes more questions then answering them.
http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/ ... music.html

So after reading this I was thinking about it and maybe we have allowed ourselves to become addicted to music? When dopamine in the brain is produced and released into the blood stream it feels like a high. I then thought this might be a good topic to bring up to see what others say or see that maybe I don't.

~Asia

 

[pebble]

Hello.

I've got a confession to make. I used to believe that music is the language of the soul. Music was part of my life. It was not just plain music. It all started with "Hotel California" when I was 7, then moved on to hard rock, heavy metal, and, finally, death metal, melodeath particularly. I was starting to dabble with black metal. Melodeath seems to keep me focused and ready to face any challenge. It's like a drug.

Then somebody asked me around July of this year what do I do when I'm feeling low. That made me think because I use to slap on a pair of huge earphones when I get that feeling but the last time I listened to my favourite bands were in March. It made me realize that what I'd been doing, instead of listening to music, is pray and research biblical concepts. Communicating with Him and knowing He is there listening and looking out for me made me feel better, not necessarily empowered, but definitely better.

Then I tried listening to my music again this November but it just did not click any more. It seems like that kind of music is no longer relevant to my present life and it doesn't have any effect on how I feel. Just imagine. one of my mottoes used to be "Metal 'til Death!"

I finally got around to deleting my collection of rock, metal, and death metal from my external HD yesterday, which freed a lot of space.

I did not delete them because they were evil or satanic. I've heard and read about that a long time ago but I simply justify my actions. Besides, I used to think that fundas are crazies. I deleted them because I have no need of them anymore.

Then here are some articles i came across just the past weeks...

http://news.discovery.com/human/teen-mu ... -blues.htm

http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicb ... depression

It's either (1) depressed people listen to music or (2) listening to music depresses people. I can vouch for number 1 but I'm not sure if listening to music caused my depressions.

But here's the way I understand the Bible's stand regarding music (please correct me If I'm wrong, I'm very open to being straightened out). The One True God, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is a jealous God. If we accept His son Yeshua as our Lord and Saviour then we must have absolute trust and confidence in Him. Relying on music, drugs, shopping, etc., to make us happy or make us feel normal is like bowing down to idols.

Those "crazy" fundas may have a valid point after all. It is best to get "high" on God.

BTW, I'm in need of contemporary Christian music glorifying God to fill the space left by the music that was deleted. I'd appreciate some links to free downloads. No more pop, rock or metal types please, I've had enough of those.

Thanks.

 

[JustAGuy]

Pandora is great. There's several Christian channels and once you find a musician or group you like, you can search their name and make a channel using just their name, say like "Switchfoot." Pandora then plays both Switchfoot and similar music. Helps to find new musicians/groups. http://www.pandora.com/

 

[Southlander]

Music is neither good nor evil in and of itself. If you listen to music that is themed toward sex and violence, you'll orient your thinking toward those topics. If you listen to music that elevates the soul, you'll tend to think and act accordingly. When you listen to music, it has been proven to affect your brain, but different music does it in different ways. Baroque classical music has been demonstrated to give temporary increases in IQ (up to four hours and as much as 5-10 points), for example. When I study, I either listen to classical music, or spiritual music. I get the most out of listening to the Tallis Scholars and others who do polyphonic chant, or barring that, Gregorian chant. These two types of music are almost entirely Scripture put to music (albeit, in Latin). They, too, have proven effects on the brain that are positive. Here is an article (written from a secular perspective) about that effect:

http://completewellbeing.com/article/rhythm-divine/

St. Augustine of Hippo said, "He who sings, prays twice." Music, in the service of the Faith, is -- or at least can be -- a source of prayer or inspiration. It helps me study. I do really well with Baroque music, especially Vivaldi, Teleman, and Mozart. Baroque hymns (in English, please!), Taizé music, Gregorian and polyphonic chant, and non-lyrical new-age music are great relaxation and study music for me.

Pandora is good, but iHeart Radio is better. Only one add at the startup! http://www.iHeart.com

 

[pebble]

Hello.

True, like a sword, music isn't inherently good or evil but simply a tool. If it allows one to focus, in meditation, study, or prayer (for example), then it's okay. But if it becomes the focus, that's a different thing already.

Thanks for the recommendations and a prosperous new year.