Is listening to Tool a sin?

[Guymond]

Hello, firstly please don't read on if you are easily offended....

I have recently been hooked on an amazing band named Tool.

However, the lyrics seem to be very violent and in some cases 'anti-christ'

For example lines like,

"I should play God and shoot you myself"

"My Gods will becomes me. When he speaks out, he speaks through me. He has needs like I do. We both want to rape you. Jesus Christ, why don't you come save my life. Open my eyes and blind me with your light and your lies. "

and

"Jesus, won't you ****ing whistle something but the past and done?"

I love the lord and I hope listening to this isn't a sin, however I feel that if I took this music out of my life I would become very sad as I enjoy it a lot.

I would be very grateful is someone could guide me in the correct direction of what to do...

God bless you all,

Guymond

 

[Sketcher]

I love metal, so I know what you're talking about when you're saying they're talented. I also love Jesus and I have no desire to hear the crud that some bands sing against Him. Another example of an otherwise good metal band is Fear Factory. I'll listen to some of their songs (Self Bias Resistor, New Breed, Concrete) but you won't catch me listening to others (Desecrate). I judge most secular music on a song-by-song basis. If the lyrics uplift me, then I'll listen.

There is the rumor that all rock is evil, but it is based on ignorance and prejudice. Unless a band comes out and says that they practice magic and try to incorporate it into their music, I don't see a problem with listening to them.

Also, there's some good Christian metal out there. Living Sacrifice (rip), Extol, Mortification, and Zao are all VERY hard and quite talented. If you like harder stuff like Sepultura, Machine Head or Napalm Death, check them out. Extol has some of the best instrumental parts I have heard since old Metallica.

Project 86 is a little lighter than these bands and a little heavier than Tool. Drawing Black Lines is their best CD and one of my favorites of all time, right up there with Led Zeppelin II. Stavesacre is about the same heaviness as Tool, and they are very good. There's also Blindside and P.O.D.

 

[Guymond]

I love metal, so I know what you're talking about when you're saying they're talented. I also love Jesus and I have no desire to hear the crud that some bands sing against Him. Another example of an otherwise good metal band is Fear Factory. I'll listen to some of their songs (Self Bias Resistor, New Breed, Concrete) but you won't catch me listening to others (Desecrate). I judge most secular music on a song-by-song basis. If the lyrics uplift me, then I'll listen.

There is the rumor that all rock is evil, but it is based on ignorance and prejudice. Unless a band comes out and says that they practice magic and try to incorporate it into their music, I don't see a problem with listening to them.

Also, there's some good Christian metal out there. Living Sacrifice (rip), Extol, Mortification, and Zao are all VERY hard and quite talented. If you like harder stuff like Sepultura, Machine Head or Napalm Death, check them out. Extol has some of the best instrumental parts I have heard since old Metallica.

Project 86 is a little lighter than these bands and a little heavier than Tool. Drawing Black Lines is their best CD and one of my favorites of all time, right up there with Led Zeppelin II. Stavesacre is about the same heaviness as Tool, and they are very good. There's also Blindside and P.O.D.

I just like the actual music being played!

However, Maynards voice gets stuck on my mind and I often find myself humming or even singing the "nasty" lyrics of the songs although I do not believe in the meanings of them.

I just feel that I maybe constantly committing a sin for just doign something I enjoy

 

[Rafael]

Satan likes to ruin the best stuff, don't he?

 

[Sketcher]

I just feel that I maybe constantly committing a sin for just doign something I enjoy

That doesn't make it as enjoyable does it? When you relax, why fight your conscience?

Been there, done that, not worth it.

 

[Patdoggydogg]

So your question is: is listening to this music a sin"

answer: No. I think its only a sin if you agree with what hes saying.

I mean, i like Eminem, D12, etc. and when they say to go....do things i cant say on this form, i dont go out and do it.

Music is entertainment...

 

[Iktomi]

Here's a story. This is my paraphrase.
An old Native American man had become a Christian. He was caught between "heaven and earth", so to speak.
When asked to describe what was happening in his soul, he said:
"It is like two dogs fighting eachother. They wrestle and pull...one wants to go one way and the other wants to go the other way."

The man was then asked, "Which dog wins?"
He replied, "Whichever one I feed the most."

Hope this helps.

 

[Patdoggydogg]

i dont think i get that....


but tite story! =P

 

[LifeToTheFullest!]

Guymond,

I believe that all of life's questions can be found in the Bible. In response to your question, Philippians 4:8 came to mind.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worth of praise, let your mind dwell on these things."

As Christians, everything we say, do or think should bring glory to God, anything else is sin, and unacceptable to Jesus. It is through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that this is possible.

 

[Iktomi]

In a nutshell, it means that the condition of your soul depends largely on what you allow into it.
Whichever "dog" gets more food will be the stronger and will ultimately get it's way.

I also believe that listening to these songs/lyrics could make it very difficult to witness to people. How would you explain to someone who wants to learn who Jesus is why the lyrics are alright to listen to? Seems like you can't.
The fact is that we are supposed to honor Him in ALL we do. Here's another thing to think about.
If you would feel more comfortable turning those lyrics off before praying to God then you probably shouldn't be listening to them in the first place.

 

[Iktomi]

I love the lord and I hope listening to this isn't a sin, however I feel that if I took this music out of my life I would become very sad as I enjoy it a lot.

Well, the good thing here is that it isn't about our happiness or sadness. Besides that, when we follow God, he gives us joy unspeakable!

"In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path."

 

[KnightOfChrist]

This is probably going to make things weirder for you, but...

Maynard J. K. used to be a reverend.

 

[KnightOfChrist]

And there are a ton of good bands out there besides Tool...

I always get a favorite band and then like, a month later I find something I like better. I went from Metallica to Creed to Opeth to Steve Vai, and all kinds of things in between; none of them are Christian bands, but then again, none of them directly attack my religion. I can find places where they might honor/insult God or Jesus... but that isn't why I listen to music.

"Music is God's most benevolent gift." -Stevie Vai

Mm... if you like Tool (and I admit, they're good; albeit strange as hell, but good), then by all means, listen to them. It isn't YOU who is sinning. You're listening because you like those heavy bass lines, psychedelic guitar riffs, or Maynard's sweet singing or hard screaming, and the majority of the lyrics you're fine with, right?

A lot of things sound catchy, though. Slayer sounds catchy now and then, and they present themselves as a Satanic band. You can't deny your relationship with God for a few songs; now, He knows what you're thinking/feeling with you listen to the songs you do--if you don't agree, then it isn't a big deal... if you do, however...

 

[12volt_man]

Hello, firstly please don't read on if you are easily offended....

I have recently been hooked on an amazing band named Tool.

However, the lyrics seem to be very violent and in some cases 'anti-christ'

For example lines like,

"I should play God and shoot you myself"

"My Gods will becomes me. When he speaks out, he speaks through me. He has needs like I do. We both want to rape you. Jesus Christ, why don't you come save my life. Open my eyes and blind me with your light and your lies. "

and

"Jesus, won't you ****ing whistle something but the past and done?"

I love the lord and I hope listening to this isn't a sin, however I feel that if I took this music out of my life I would become very sad as I enjoy it a lot.

I would be very grateful is someone could guide me in the correct direction of what to do...

God bless you all,

Guymond

It's not a sin to listen to a certain artist but certain artists' may not be conducive to a close walk with Christ.

I've never heard of these guys but it's really hard to imagine listening to lyrics such as the ones you've quoted that blaspheme Christ and then turning around and worshipping Christ. I mean, what do you say to Him? "Sorry Jesus. Just kidding."?

There is one thing I want you to ask youself.

I want you to ask yourself (and be honest), "if I'm listening to these guys, am I obeying Psalm 1"?

Psalm 1:1-3 says,

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

I don't think you can reconcile this scripture passage with the lyrics you've posted but that's a decision you have to make for yourself.

Since you've already admitted that some of their lyrics are "anti-Christ", I think you already know the answer to your question.

 

[MinDach]

What ever you take in, will be who you are. If you take in Good, then that is what you will think on, if you take in Bad, then that is what you will think on, and then sin will enter and then you will act on it. So be carefully what come in to your eyes and ears.

 

[Iron Lion]

I am in the same boat, Im a christian that loves the Lord with all my heart. And i also love heavy music, Metal,Punk,Rock and so on and ive always thought about the non christian lyrics that pop up for now and then. Its a tuff one to deal with and everyone is goin to tell you somthing different about listening. In my case i decided to keep listening to the bands with the reasoning that i dont believe what i hear and its there freedem of speach to write what they want. They dont affect me in the slightst way. Thats just me though and i can live with my choice.

Just do wat you feel is the right thing

God Bless

 

[seebs]

I believe that music is a good example of Christian liberty; see, for instance, Romans 14. Not all things affect people the same way. For instance, many people find Metallica's lyrics to be anti-Christian, and I would even agree that some of their songs are a little hostile to Christianity. At the same time, when I listen to them, I'm listening to them from a Christian perspective. So, when I hear Outlaw Torn, I find in it a story similar in some ways to my own search for God; thus my choice of the chorus as a signature quote.

It is not the thing in and of itself that is bad; it is how it affects you, which is partially a result of what you bring to it.

 

[Guymond]

Thank you for all your replies, I have learnt a lot whilst reading all of your comments.