Question: Is this Christianity trying to influence culture or culture influencing Christianity? I've had this debate several times so I'll let commenters discuss it.
New song from Nick Cannon with a pro-life message:
The song has a good message. It deals with responsibility and abortion. I think there is one pro-choicers and pro-lifers should be able to agree that it's becoming more of an irresponsibility issue. The vast number of abortions performed in America aren't performed on incest or rape victims or even women whose health is in jeopardy if they don't abort. So how do we encourage women make more responsible decisions instead of arguing about the issue?
Another thing I noticed is that Nick Cannon and Tatyana Ali are Barack Obama supporters, who is pro-choice. I've always seen abortion as a societal and moral issue and not something that will be resolved in Washington D.C. A song like this might be able to spread the pro-life message more than any politician. Actually, I find it ironic that here's an instance that an entertainer might be more socially conservative than a politico. Although, I (personally) find it difficult to support a politician to who is pro-choice.
I was listening to this by Jordin Sparks featuring Chris Brown on my drive home:
It's an extremely enjoyable song. However, when listening to the lyrics I was struck by some of the hyperbole. Here are some of the lyrics:
Tell me how I'm supposed to breathe with no air?
If I should die before I wake Because you took my breath away Losing you is like living in a world without no air, oh
I'm here alone, didn't wanna leave My heart won't move, it's incomplete Is there an other way I can make you understand?
(Hook) But how Do you expect me, to live alone with just me? 'Cause my world revolves around you It's so hard for me to breathe
(Chorus) Tell me how I'm supposed to breathe with no air? Can't live, can't breath with no air That's how I feel whenever ain't there There's no air, no air Got me out here in the water so deep Tell me how you gon' be here without me? If you ain't here I just can't breathe There's no air, no air No air air, No air air
The song is about not being able to live without their loved one. The song even says that their world revolves around the other person. That kind of rhetoric is dangerous on so many levels. First, as a Christian I believe no one or nothing should be put in front of God. It's obsessive and idolatry to put another person first and foremost in your life. Also, saying that if you don't have someone you will physically be unable to breathe and might die is not a sign of a healthy relationship. Would a true love song have such fixation with the object of affection?
I know there are plenty of other songs with obsessive lyrics, for example this one (lyrics here):
I know some would say it just a song, so what? I understand. I just felt the need to call out the rhetoric in this particular song. The thing about music is that it often repetitive, thus, making the message contained in the song more salient.
It's a song about a woman begging the married man she's been seeing to stay and not go. Here are the lyrics.
Often as humans we seeing the instructions that God gave us in the Bible, like His commandment against adultery, as a restriction on our lives. But it's the exact opposite! He gives us these rules for our own protection. You can tell by the lyrics, the tone of her voice, and the tears in her eyes demonstrate that this relationship has caused her great pain, not joy. I don't believe that God wants to see his children in such agony.
One thing that is often not discussed is the emotional toll an action my take in our lives. You often hear the excuse, "Well, I didn't hurt anyone!" However, it's difficult measure the emotional damage an action might cause yourself and others. It's just not quantifiable. One can't quantify it by the amount of tears one cries. Nor by the hours of contemplating what went wrong or how things could have been different. It also can't be quantified by the life changes that occurred after the wrong action. Emotional scars can take months or years to heal from. However, the saddest scars are the ones that never heal.
I think this is the most enlightening line in the song:
There is one thing you should know We don't have to live this way
I love the "have to" line in the song because it's the acknowledgment that their own personal choices have led them to where they are at today. The best part of the song is when she realizes what they are doing is wrong and makes a better choice: Not staying in a bad relationship.
I'm about to really mess up your Thursday night! For some reason I was on Youtube and just looking for music videos and I stumbled upon some of my favorite tear-jerking songs. So I thought I would share them with you. Don't worry I'm not depressed and I didn't just break up with a boyfriend because I don't have one. The song selection probably is a dead give away of which age group I'm in. So in no particular order:
Why do the singers always have to make that one video that is somewhat 'socially consciousness'? Avril Lavigne's new video has a soldier going to war. Are we suppose to forgive you for all your past transgressions (bad music videos) because you made one semi-meaningful song. I guess I can forgive Lavigne since she's young and has many more years to tick me off.
Madonna on the other hand has been doing horrible music and videos for decades. Her next song can be about orphans, poverty, and saving dolphins and I still wouldn't like her.
Ok, I don't know if it is just me but I haven't really been listening to music lately. It seems like the popular artists right now are mediocre to say the least. Or I might just be getting older and becoming less interested in music. So I am wanting to get music recommendations. Is there a band or a certain artist I should be listening to?
I enjoy all types of music; pop, R&B, hip hop, alternative rock, Christian contemporary, and so forth. However, I am not a big fan of country music.
MTV is conducting a contest to be a guest VJ on TRL. I decided to submit an application for fun. I thought I would share my answers to their questions.
1. Which celebrity would you cast in the movie of your life, and why? Whoever could best play a short, prudish Hispanic girl from rural South Texas. Maybe Paris Hilton?
2. If we asked your best friends to describe you, what would they say? I don't have friends (they are so overrated) but my acquaintances would describe as shy, introspective with a dark sense of humor.
3. You get to pick the ultimate TRL guest list, who's on it and why? Justin Timberlake because I've been a huge fan since I was 16. Jennifer Lopez because I'm Hispanic and I feel obligated. Britney Spears to find out what the hell is wrong with her. One day she's in rehab then she's out. She's married then she's divorced. One day she's Baptist and then the next she's wearing the Star of David.
4. How would you describe TRL to someone that has never seen the show? A music video countdown aimed at a young audience. The hosts are energetic. It is interactive because it is rudely interrupted by viewer comments. Perfect for people with short attention spans!
5. What makes you stand out in a room? I would like to say my immense and overwhelming beauty but that would be a huge lie. If I were to ever to stand out in a room it would probably be because of my sense of humor.
I watched American Idol last night and 80 percent of the contestants were horrible. There were people forgetting words and some horrible enunciating and I'm not talking about Paula's judging. I kept on thinking the show supposedly traveled all around the country and auditioned thousands of people and this is the talent they found. Really?!? Halfway through the show I thought maybe I should audition next near because I think I could possibly sing better than a couple of those "singers." And that's because I've been told I sound like a dog howling (thanks mom). It just fustrates me to think there is so much talent out there who would cherish an opportunity such as this and instead it is given to mediocre performers.
I accidently discovered a great online music countdown today named Top 11.The host, Egypt, sometimes comes up on the side and bops her head and it is very interactive.
I think I will start viewing my music videos on the internet since MTV no longer plays them. I will still turn on MTV if I want to watch rich brats (Laguna Beach, Sweet 16) and see marriages deconstruct before my very eyes (Newlyweds, Carmen and Dave).
Let's talk about religion, politics, ethics, art, or we can chat about something else. I'm open minded!
