"Make it stop" by Rise Against ok to listen to?

[10beckc]

I heard the song and really loved it, but it has a part where it says "What God could damn a heart?" "What God could make it stop?" Some say it has a deeper meaning like God would never do that and others say the song is about the people who bullied the children who committed suicide. (May they rest in peace) I'm confused and would love for someone to listen to it and let me know their input.

Thanks so much

 

[s_s]

As for meaning of the song:

Frontman Tim McIlrath spoke about this song: "The song was written inspired of the teen suicides in the month of September 2010, who were bullied for being homosexual. It deals about how people are treated from homophobic bullying and feeling so tormented that they feel there's no place for them in the future and that killing themselves is a better option."

After the song was nominated for the MTV VMAs "Best Video With a Message" Award, McIlrath also revealed that "Make It Stop (September's Children)" was also based on a gay friend of his who committed suicide when he was young.

As for whether it's OK to listen to...
Well, that's much deeper than yes or no. I listened to it, and did just a few minutes research.
Firstly, ask yourself, why do you want to listen to it? OK you may like it, but I notice you have a little Christian symbol up so I'm assuming you have a practising faith. In which case, I ask again, why do you want to listen to a song like this with dubious lyrics?

I always found, when I was challenged by God to sort my music out, that it was better to err on the side of caution. As in, if I had to ask was it OK, then it wasn't, and I got rid.
Don't think it was all that easy, I had to let go of Placebo, Metallica, The Prodigy, Nickleback (ok they weren't so hard lol), Jay-Z, Nirvana etc.

Sometimes a song is more than just bad on the face of it, like the songs where there is a curse word etc. Some songs just give out a bad vibe. This song is bordering on heretical, Although I wouldn't actually say that it is but it could be construed that way, and for all I know it could be meant that way by the writer.

Important also to consider is the band themselves. That quick research I mentioned instantly told me these guys subscribe to Hare Krishna beliefs and some other wacky stuff, despite a 'clean' image. Some other songs have dubious lyrics also.

So, is it OK?
Well, it's "alright". It wont be the end of the world.
Is it Good to listen to it?
No.
And, importantly, is it edifying/will it improve my walk with God or improve my life at all?
No.


HTH.

 

[10beckc]

Alright, that really helped. Thanks so much!

God Bless,
Chris

 

[ChiRho78]

no its not okay,

sinner.

[sarcasm]

 

[seashale76]

This type of thing is a matter of personal conviction. There are certain songs I never listen to from bands I like because I find them blasphemous (ex- 'Man in the Box' by Alice in Chains).

The song in question that you mention- I watched the video for it the other day. The message itself is important. When I was a teen, one of my best friends from church camp (who was obviously struggling with homosexuality) killed herself by jumping out of a car. One of my classmates in the eighth grade shot himself in the mouth while speaking on the phone to his sister- and I believe there may have been a bullying element for his perceived homosexuality involved. A former student of mine (still alive) was frequently bullied because he was gay. It was a constant battle from a teacher's perspective- especially when the parents of the bullies don't think their kids are doing anything wrong. I'm experiencing the same thing right now with a student who I'm certain is gay. So, no matter how you feel about homosexuality, I think everyone can agree that bullying and dehumanizing someone is absolutely wrong, wrong, wrong.

As far as blasphemous lyrics go- that element bothers me too. So, for that reason alone, I personally wouldn't listen to the song. I go more on a song by song basis, rather than a ban the band type thing- but that's just me.

 

[10beckc]

haha that made me laugh lol

 

[10beckc]

Wow, I really hope your friends can make it through their struggles. But, thanks so much for your input

 

[ProfessorDerpy]

I'm a Christian, and I wouldn't call the lyrics in this song "blasphemy"
I personally love Rise Against as their songs have a good message. However they do swear quite a bit, I once again personally don't take offence by this but I do know people who would.
Soooo.... Is it ok to listen to them?!?!!?
Yes/no, it depends on your opinion.
Brohoof /)

 

[Faithisnotblackandwhite]

Okay, I had to make an account just for this, since I was utterly provoked by what people say about "Make it Stop" in this thread.

First of all, it's a perfectly good song for a Christian to listen to, I am a personal christian and I've been a fan of Rise Aganst for 3 years now. I can say, they do have some some songs that are not as good, but Make it Stop is one of the best songs they have ever made!

The part where he says "What God would damn a heart?" is the same as saying "I do not believe this is done out of true Love, hence it cannot be God's work".

One other thing people have failed to realize, is that homosexuality isn't sin in itself, and two men (or women) who loves each other is not necessarily sinful. The only thing that is sinful is what darkens our hearts in the end, like for example covetry:

Mathew 5: 27-28, Jesus said: "You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Doesn't this apply to normal heterosexuality as much as it does homosexuality? Think about this.

 

[rach93]

Rise Against have been a huge influence for me during my difficult teenage years, I know they may not be exactly "of God" but for me they showed me before I was a Christian the dangers of a society following every desire, now that I have found truth I still listen to these guys much more than any other band, their message may not be Godly but for me it shows how we have forgotten to love humanity which is God's own message.

 

[Faithisnotblackandwhite]

They also have a lot of messages related to God, for example Injection:

"This grip loosens but it never breaks,
we carry nothing but a name you will forsake.
Your words are always there to break my fall,
and now my final comfort, to see through it all."

But the real thing that Rise Against is trying to say is stop putting your heaven-ticket in your pocket and just continue harassing the gay people, it's not our place to harass people based on covetry when we're just as prone to fall for it ourselves (heterosexual covetry).

"How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye". - Luke 6:42

 

[rach93]

Faithisnotblackandwhite that is so true, to an extent I would say even though these guys aren't necessarily walking with God at the moment, he is still using them and their music for good. To be walking with God is the most glorious experience we'll ever have, Rise Against teaches us to look at the bigger picture such as how we fall so easily in to following what we think is right without looking beyond the boundaries of our thought patterns to what God's will is. We have even created God to be what we want him to be without discerning how amazing he really is. Rise Against give a message of standing up for what you believe in and taking a stand against injustice.. with the knowledge we have from our personal relationship with God we know the answer to this injustice is love, a love we can only give when we have God to give it to us... sorry bit of a ramble haha

 

[LeoWyatt]

It's a crappy song. I expected better from Rise Against especially since everything else they produce is rather good.

Is their lead singer different on the song Roadside and Make it Stop? Roadside is an amazing song,

 

[Faithisnotblackandwhite]

It's a crappy song. I expected better from Rise Against especially since everything else they produce is rather good.

Is their lead singer different on the song Roadside and Make it Stop? Roadside is an amazing song,

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I guess. I think the song is amazing.

@Rach93: So you're saying Rise Against doesn't promote using love as our primary weapon against injustice? By listening to Rise Against, I have come to learn what true love really is, and that there are three ways to love; love for ourselves, the love for our fellow humans and animals, and the love for God himself. Rise Against is mostly promoting love for fellow humans and animals, which has proven over and over is among the hardest part, because you have no guarantee they will love you back.

Although Tim McIlrath, Joe Principie, Brandon Barnes and Zach Blair are not personal christians, they turn their songs into songs of love and justice, and we can see it's the work of God. There is no hatred in their song, pleading for prejudice to end is a work of love, God's work.

 

[Exchange]

I don't see what's wrong with listening to "Make It Stop", seeing as the song is about the wrongs of LGBT bullying. Whether you agree with homosexuality or not is different to agreeing that bullying is wrong, which I hope everybody would agree with me that people should not be threatened for their sexual orientation.

 

[Faithisnotblackandwhite]

I don't see what's wrong with listening to "Make It Stop", seeing as the song is about the wrongs of LGBT bullying. Whether you agree with homosexuality or not is different to agreeing that bullying is wrong, which I hope everybody would agree with me that people should not be threatened for their sexual orientation.

My point exactly Thank you! ^^