Transcript Anthony Iafrate - kingscollege.net

Catholic church and
Contemporary Music
What kind of music do you listen
to?
What are the Catholic church’s views on
contemporary music?
Can you still be a devout Catholic and
listen to modern music?
• http://www.youtube.com/anthonyyaff
What are appropriate genres of
music? Should any genre be
condemned?
• The Answer is NO.
• Any genre of music is permitted if it:
• Does not go against the teachings of Catholic
Morality (order of creation)
• Correctly discerns the purpose of it’s
creation.
Proper context for contemporary
Music
•
•
•
•
Worship outside of church
Youth Groups
Music
Worship through your favourite genres of
music is not condemned by church teaching.
• It is beneficial for teens and young adults to
live a Catholic life by incorporating Christian
values into their every day lives, including
music.
Cotemporary music for worship?
• Stellar Kart – Me and Jesus
• Lecrae – Represent
Can you violate Catholic morality by
listening to music?
Yes.
Chastity
• "any man who looks at a woman lustfully has
already committed adultery with her in his
heart," (Matthew 5:28)
• Sin does not begin with our actions, but rather
in the mind. Unchaste thoughts are
considered a violation against chastity.
"Sin is a desire contrary to the eternal law,“ - St.
Thomas Aquinas
Statistics
• There is a direct correlation between the amount of
media with sexually explicit material and an
increased rate of teenage pregnancy.
• Does Watching Sex on Television Predict Teen
Pregnancy? , Anita Chandra,PHD,
• Teens who watch a lot of sexually explicit media are
at double the risk of early pregnancy than those who
do not watch sexual content. -Sex on TV Increases
Teen Pregnancy. Time Magazine.
Examples?
Substance abuse
• Many contemporary music contains explicit
lyrics encouraging drug and alcohol abuse.
• This is very common in Music videos
Kesha – Tik Tok
• Lyrics: ….Before I leave, brush my teeth with a
bottle of Jack …. Ain’t got a care in world, but
got plenty of beer
Violence/Theft
• Paper Planes by M.I. A
All I want to do is *Gun shot
sounds* and take your money
Why shouldn’t we listen to music with
explicit content?
• In scripture: “let the word of Christ dwell in
you richly in all wisdom; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16 ).
Can you Listen to music with explicit
music without going against it’s
Purpose?
• No.
• One cannot worship and listen to music that
clearly violates Laws set in motion by the
Creator.
• Natural law
What is the purpose of music?
(Natural law)
• God’s purpose for music: The purpose of music is to glorify
God and bring us closer to God
• Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the
honour of his name: make his praise glorious. (Psalms 66:1-2)
•
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for
the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the
psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new
song; play skilfully with a loud noise. For the word of the
LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. (Psalms
33:1-4)
What about secular music with
appropriate content? (Natural Law)
• Secular music can realise the full potential of it’s purpose.
• 2) The One and the Same God is both Creator and Revealer.
• 3) Therefore the Will of God is reflected in both the "Order
of Creation" (the way things are put together) willed by God,
and the "Revelation of Scripture" willed by God.
• 4) When human reasoning correctly discerns the "order of
creation" it cannot contradict the "revelation of Scripture,"
correctly interpreted.
• 5) The Catholic Church's commitment to Education and
openness to all forms of learning (including the physical and
social sciences) is rooted in the conviction that truthful, valid
reasoning about reality brings us closer to the Mind and Will
of God. -Dr. Brodie (Gilbrodie.ca)
BIEBER FEVER!
Natural law
Justin Bieber – Never say Never
• Criteria
• Does the song correctly discern the "order of
creation“? Yes. Therefore this goes hand in with
scripture and tradition.
• The Catholic Church's commitment to Education
and openness to all forms of learning (including the
physical and social sciences) is rooted in the
conviction that truthful, valid reasoning about
reality brings us closer to the Mind and Will of God.
-Dr. Brodie
Natural Law
• Justin Bieber – Never say Never
• And there's just no turning back,
When your hearts under attack,
Gonna give everything I have,
It's my destiny.
I will never say never! (I will fight)
I will fight till forever! (make it
right)
Whenever you knock me down,
I will not stay on the ground.
Pick it up,
Pick it up,
Pick it up,
Pick it up up up,
And never say never
Matthew 10:22
22and you will be hated by all
because of my name. But the
one who endures to the end
will be saved.
James 1:12
Trial and Temptation
12 Blessed is anyone who
endures temptation. Such a
one has stood the test and will
receive the crown of life that
the Lord has promised to
those who love him.
Discussion
• Do you think that you can live a Catholic life
and listen to music with explicit content?
• Are we condoning sin by listening and
purchasing explicit music? Are we
accountable?
• Do you think contemporary Christian music
should be used in liturgy?
Test your Knowledge
• (1999) Dr. Barbara Resch of Indiana University
conducted a study.
• Gave 500 teenagers across the USA a survey
on which genres they deemed to be
appropriate in the liturgical church setting.
•
•
•
•
Which genre was deemed the most
appropriate by Teens for Catholic
liturgy?
A) Choral music
B) Christian rock
C) Christian pop
D) All of the above
Source:
http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2006/08/t
eens-on-rock-music-in-church-blech.html
Answer:
A)
The majority Catholic teens agreed that
contemporary music was not appropriate
for liturgy.
Why is this so?
• Non-denominational students who listened
modern Christian music during their weekly
church services, considered contemporary
music to be more appropriate.
• Why not Catholic teens?
• They accepted the traditional liturgical
music as the norm for church context.
• They accept the genre of music already set
in motion by the Church , even though they
still listened contemporary music.
Conclusion
• You can “ROCK ON” and be a devout Catholic