Heavy metal etc. Satanic?

Akuma · Jan 18, 2009

I often see several parents or religious figures claiming that heavy metal, and similar music is Satanic.

And that it misleads the youth, while I agree that some of that music might not necessarily be too good of an influence, I think there are far greater evil influences out there.

Your thoughts?

omej · Jan 18, 2009

I think that belief tends to come with the whole mentality of those songs. Many times the lyrics are dark and the way they all dress is also "satanic" so to speak. (Manson, anybody)

Jan · Jan 18, 2009

I'm 100% Christian and I listen to music like Slipknot, Slayer etc But I think it doesn't really matter what you listen to, when you know what you believe in and follow what it says in the Holy Bible.

Akuma · Jan 18, 2009

There are some "Satanic" bands by the way such as Deicide (I think that's how it's spelled). However while it's true that the lyrics are often dark, and the way they dress isn't exactly very "Christian", several other music genres have "dirty" lyrics too. Rap for instance often has vulgarity in it, and some dance music too. So technically that music could be considered Satanic as well, yet heavy metal tends to be the most targeted as it appears to be darker.

That's just something to ponder..

aqua · Jan 18, 2009

I feel these heavy metal bands got popular only because they are Satanic and vulgar, aren’t there any restriction that can be imposed of such bands? I thing youth are getting into these dirty addictions, which makes them insane over a period of time.

GunnedDown · Jan 19, 2009

Akuma said:
I often see several parents or religious figures claiming that heavy metal, and similar music is Satanic.

And that it misleads the youth, while I agree that some of that music might not necessarily be too good of an influence, I think there are far greater evil influences out there.

Your thoughts?

Well there's been some bs about "Stairway to Heaven" about how it's all Satanic and all (most of you know that if it's played backwards, it "sounds" like the words are from Satan - search it up on youtube). Anyways I don't believe in that bogus, and it's not a coincidence either. It's simply just a play of words.

And as for heavy metal in general.. I don't think so. Used to listen to rock, and IMHO rap is way worse.. all these bogus theories about a certain music genre being Satanic I think is pretty garbage non-sense to me.

Firz · Jan 19, 2009

Good one! This genre is targeted not because it is better or worse than other genres, it is simply because of the way it has been marketed so far. The Pentagram, the goathead, the hand symbol (whatever it is called) with the index and last finger raised and the thumb sticking out (which again is a symbolic representation of the goats head), and sometimes even the lyrics, all are Satanic symbols. No wonder parents tend to see it as a bad influence on their wards.

Creativeelement · Jan 19, 2009

I agree with the point that it is just the way that it is marketed. I listen to slipknot and I have a lot of Christian friends that do to and them and there parents don't have a problem with that sort of music. There are worse things to worry about then music.

The Parakeet · Jan 19, 2009

I felt it was all pretty standard marketing. Heavy metal was new. It was revolutionary when it was introduced. The best way to establish yourself as revolutionary is to angry the status quo. What better way to make kids feel like rebels than playing "Satanic" music. Just a bunch of hype that made people feel like they were "fighting the Man."

I also note that this has been done for every new cultural items. D&D, metal music, comic books, movies, video games, etc. Anything that isn't family to the parents will usually be demonized by those who don't want to see change.

I'm a little distributed by the few calls for censorship. It's just crazy to block any type of speech because it doesn't agree with Christian ideals. I'll note that it's a pretty weak religion if listening to dark lyrics is enough to lead someone away. I guess I could add the whole "More people have died in holy wars than for metal music" but that would be a cheap shot and a strawman

.

myp · Jan 19, 2009

I don't think that heavy metal music is satanic, but I can see why some people may think so due to the symbols and clothing those types of bands wear. I don't think there is harm in listening to the music so long as parents explain to their children that worshiping evil, etc. is not good.

The Parakeet · Jan 19, 2009

myp said:
I don't think that heavy metal music is satanic, but I can see why some people may think so due to the symbols and clothing those types of bands wear. I don't think there is harm in listening to the music so long as parents explain to their children that worshiping evil, etc. is not good.

I think that is really the crux of the issue. Heavy metal tries to have an image of being satanic and dark to appeal to a number of people in the rebellious crowd (the easy money group), so I guess I can't be too hard on a number of religious people who see the lyrics and assume the worst. It would be pretty shocking for someone who didn't wade into it slowly.

jessika · Jan 20, 2009

The heavy metal bands use satanic words,clothes and symbols mainly to attract people towards them,it is kind of a publicity stunt to gain attraction by going against the god but i really don't think that they have anything against the god,it is just an easy way of making money and gaining popularity.

Akuma · Jan 20, 2009

Yeah it does seem like a marketing ploy, and for teenagers the whole "rebel fad" seems to be appealing. The same can be said for hip hop, that "gangsta trend" seems to appeal to several teenagers as well. Whereas the religious music usually only appeals to religious adults and teenagers who have heavily been influenced by their parents. And from what I've seen, not many teenagers are influenced by their parents any more, and if they are, it tends to be a negative influence (abusive parents, they left them when they were young etc.) and so on.

pingpong12 · Jan 27, 2009

It all depends on how individualistic the kids are. I listened to everything from def lepard to Ratt and i liked metal but i also liked the bagpipes and classial music lol. The point is I didnt believe in everything the songs said. I just liked the music and it was a good outlet for me as a teen lol

GunnedDown · Jan 29, 2009

When I was still a teenager I used to play guitar on many of the rock music pieces, and my parents wouldn't let me learn some of it.

So to them, and to many other Christians, I think that some type of music (it doesn't always have to be heavy metal or rap you know, that's just a stereotype

) are really found offensive to them, which is why it is restricted to play some. Like mentioned previously, I wasn't allowed to play "Stairway to Heaven", because apparently it had some Satanic message when played backwards (LOL)

Oh and I also remember when I went on this church retreat, they preached about this particular song the same way my parents taught me lol.

The Parakeet · Jan 29, 2009

Oh...Stairway to Heaven. It's been awhile since I read that one. Talks about Satan and a sad toolshed when played backwards. It only works if you are actually listening for it though. The mind is a thing of beauty when it's looking for a pattern.

pingpong12 · Feb 1, 2009

When you see a religious extremist coming at you and talking about heavy metal as the tool of the devil you know that you have just stepped into..... THE TWILIGHT ZONE

(my favorite show) lol.

Delta · Mar 15, 2009

Akuma said:
I often see several parents or religious figures claiming that heavy metal, and similar music is Satanic.

And that it misleads the youth, while I agree that some of that music might not necessarily be too good of an influence, I think there are far greater evil influences out there.

Your thoughts?

I agree, there are far worse things out there influencing children these days. Some heavy metal actually has pretty creative, meaningful lyrics. I don't think I've ever been "inspired" to do anything from heavy metal - the most it does for me is a release of stress.

Damocles · Mar 16, 2009

Akuma said:
I often see several parents or religious figures claiming that heavy metal, and similar music is Satanic.

And that it misleads the youth, while I agree that some of that music might not necessarily be too good of an influence, I think there are far greater evil influences out there.

Your thoughts?

It would depend entirely on the band. Stryper, for instance, would not be an "evil influence".

GekiDan · Mar 19, 2009

I didn't consider rock, heavy metal and emo songs as satanic. Just read first and understand the lyrics of the song before you can consider one song as satanic.

Heavy metal etc. Satanic?

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