I think this whole thing borders on conspiracy theory.
Music, for most artists, is not always a reflection of a current reality. They often admit to using fiction in their work...so even though I see the point (and agree) that Christians should be careful of what they listen to, I don't think it's fair to classify hip-hop as a whole as evil. If rappers really thought they were even remotely close to gods, they wouldn't turn around say things like, "I ain't sh*t" <---direct quote from Jay-Z. I think you have to closely examine the entertainment intent of the music. I totally agree that our children are praising these icons in our culture, but that goes for everything...not just music, and ESPECIALLY not just hip-hop.
And from my recollection, hip hop was born out of competition in the south Bronx...right? If so, that has nothing to do with praising self. That's about an intelligent/poetic challenge to a psychological foe. I don't think it takes on a conceited and self-centered nature on its own. Yes, the form it has taken today is perverted and ungodly, but I don't think that has much to do with its origin.
And speaking of origin, we're born into sin, right? Does that mean that God doesn't embrace us? Sure, he doesn't embrace our sin, but He loves us as His children nonetheless. He even loves the rappers & "evil" people. I don't think it's appropriate to speak on why the deceased have passed. He doesn't REALLY know why Aaliyah died because HE is not God...same with Biggie & Pac.
The Devil is alive in WAY more than just the music in churches. Church folk will KEEP you praying. There is lying, cheating, deceit, stealing, adultery, and other sin going on within some churches...so what does that mean, according to this theory? Music is not the only vehicle in which sin travels into the walls of the church. Sin is not inherent to music...PEOPLE are sinful and therefore commit sins.
And WHO plays songs backwards? I haven't even heard of anyone doing that since like 7th grade. Why are they hunting for evil? I think there are things God will be much more glorified with than "Christians" playing secular music backwards to find the devil.
And wouldn't these 12 years have been better spent spreading the gospel? I mean, really, what have we learned from 12 years of this research? That we should be selective about our entertainment? We've known that since God gave us those instructions in the Bible.
Annie, I am in NO way attacking you. I'm simply analyzing the things you were taught. You asked for opinions...if I were you, I'd closely examine the intent and walk of the messengers. Not everybody in the church is of God. If somebody had told me the things in your post, I would give THEM the hairy eyeball, not a rapper.
Just my $1.00
{DI}
erplexed :
The devil is sneaky and he comes thru music very easily. Some o te things I hear children sing makes me wanna cry. No child shoudl be singing "Im in love with a stripper." But put a nice beat behind some catchy tunes and everyone sings it. The devil is the master of disguise and he creeps in, in many ways. Im not sayings its impossible all Im saying is that a true Chistian woudl think twice about listenign to someone who has nick named themselves Jayhova. Although Im not a Jehovah's witness this bothers me alot.
