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secular

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by mets65, Jan 25, 2011.

  1. mets65

    mets65 New Member

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    What are your views on secular music, tv or movies? Do you allow it in your home? Why or why not?
     
  2. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    If by secular you mean non spiritual or non Christian I would answer yes I would allow certain things. being of a non christian setting does not always mean sinful. My vehicle is not religious and yet I drive it. However I do draw the line. If the movie dishonors the Lord I would not want it around. The same with music. When I say dishonors the Lord I mean that which I believe He would not be using as entertainment.
     
  3. mets65

    mets65 New Member

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    Could you give any examples of what you think is acceptable? I'm not trying to judge or codemn, I just really want to hear some other people's thoughts.
     
  4. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Oh absolutely!! My daughter is listening to Jazz right now for a class on Jazz history. Hubby is playing "guess the musician" as she plays songs. LOL - He used to play in a jazz band with Clem DeRosa. :)

    Yes, we allow secular stuff into my home. Some examples:

    * We watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition and Undercover Boss

    * We listen to the secular news

    * We will watch secular movies - after reviewing them at kids-in-mind.com

    * I admit to being in love with 80s music so there are times I'll turn on some B-52s or Ramones to get going in my housework. LOL :thumbs:
     
  5. mets65

    mets65 New Member

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    Some non secular stuff is just insane these days. I mean what is the point of Jesery Shore? If I had kids id have a stroke if I found them watching that. One musician we really like is Jack Johnson, he's a family guy.
     
  6. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    From what I understand, Jersey Shore is the most idiotic show ever. Mark Driscoll said that the guys on that show were the same guys on the evolution charts at school. LOL
     
  7. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    "Secular" doesn't necessarily mean bad.

    We don't have TV in our house for a number of reasons, but we do have a very large collection of classic and family friendly films and TV shows. In fact, movie nights at our house are a big hit with our family and friends.

    About the only thing we watch on "TV" (I put it in quotes because we do it through the internet) is The Cape, Burn Notice, Leverage, No Ordinary Family, Hee Haw, Larry's Country Diner, and Marty Stuart. Sometimes Porter Wagoner and the Wilburn Bros, but those have all been reruns lately. My wife and daughters watch the horse shows and my son and I will watch some of the woodworking shows. But that's about it.

    As for music, I listen mostly to secular music. The good news today is that it's so easy to remove any objectionable content. Mostly, we listen to oldies classic country, bluegrass, folk music, and jazz, none of which are known for having much objectionable content. My son listens to a lot of Gospel music, though.

    We don't often go to the picture show because there just isn't all that much good out there. The we did go to see True Grit the other night but before that, it was Night at the Museum, which was three or four years ago.

    Basically, what I would advise is, if it promotes sin, encourages you to sin, causes a weaker brother to stumble, or becomes an idol, then leave it alone. Otherwise, use discernment and don't do what violates your conscience.
     
    #7 JohnDeereFan, Jan 25, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 25, 2011
  8. ktn4eg

    ktn4eg New Member

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    I'm not exactly sure how one defines "secular" music. For example, I enjoy listening to classical music, most of which is not expressly religious in nature. I find nothing wrong with it.
     
  9. pinoybaptist

    pinoybaptist Active Member
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    I've ALWAYS loved music, mets.
    Mostly my generation, when musicians were musicians and didn't need the high technology of today that can turn screamers into songbirds.
    Neil Diamond and Billy Joel, Janis Ian (at seventeen. a music meant for women, but man, I really enjoy that tempo, and the guitar, and the interim plucking), Barbara Streisand, Air Supply, Mamas and Papas, Peter, Paul and Mary, Simon and Garfunkel, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Glenn Campbell, Don Mclean, James Taylor, and the likes.
    I don't have a favorite favorite, if you know what I mean.
    They are all good singers and bands.


    Movies ?
    Not much.
    But I like watching the CSI's, and the NCIS's, and the Law and Order series, Detroit 187, Bones, Blue Blood. Mostly something to do with crime, detection, and punishment.

    You're in a Baptist board, remember that.
    Pretty soon somebody's bound to come along and ........
     
  10. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I agree. My dad was a cop and my family always watched those sorts of shows when I was young so I still enjoy them now. The only one I've not watched that you mentioned is Detroit 187.
     
  11. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    We do allow a certain amount of secular stuff into our home. My wife and I both love novels, there are a couple of TV shows we like, and some secular music--especially "oldies" love songs!

    There are several principles I use to guide me. Some of this I got from the little book by Francis Schaeffer, Art and the Bible. Sell your wide screen TV to get this book! You can buy it for $8.00 on Amazon.

    Here are the questions I ask about secular entertainment:

    (1) Is there beauty? God is the Author of beauty and art. I love this verse: "And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty" (Ex 28:2). So God His people create something with beauty as the motive. (See also 2 Chron. 3:6, Job 40:10, Ps. 27:4, etc.) And of course the New Jerusalem must be extremely beautiful! But of course there is beauty of a wrong sort that must be watched for.

    (2) Is there justice? God is the Author of justice. So if it is a crime show, does the bad guy get his? And does the good guy live right and justly as he pursues the bad guy, or does he use immoral methods?

    (3) Is there love? God is the Author of love. So sometimes I'll watch a "chick flick" about true love with my wife. Come on, guys, she'll really appreciate it! :smilewinkgrin:

    On the other hand, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes" (Ps 101:3), so we reject secular entertainment that portrays evil positively or wickedness purely for the entertainment of it. So one thing we don't watch is horror shows, because the violence, blood and gore is only for entertainment in them. And we reject entertainment that glorifies evil: vampire movies and the like.

    I hope this helps.
     
  12. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    I don't understand the dualism many people associate with media. Do we really believe that because someone offers us a certain number of JPMs (Jesuses Per Minute) that that media becomes sanctified?

    The irony in the Christian media market right now is that so many of the Christian labels and studios are owned by secular media conglomerates that they actually aren't "Christian" companies.

    (I'm not attempting to be mean to the OP just throwing out a conversation point.)

    We actually got into a conversation about this a couple of weeks ago with a group of men I teach on Tuesday mornings. Honestly I enjoy good art, I enjoy good media, I enjoy good stuff. The vast majority of "Christian" media isn't good. All of this because I made a point about how difficult it is to find high quality resources for group discussions (they are out there...and growing thankfully.)

    So yeah we watch "secular" stuff. We listen to "secular" music. There are several reasons, the first is that we don't care if someone/thing purports itself to be more redeemed than something else. I know plenty of artists in the Christian scene and have hung out with them and they aren't awfully Christian once the lights go down. A lot of "Christian" media is a scam.

    Also the content and delivery is usually pretty poor. I've quite understood why but people in the pews and chairs allow poor quality and have lower expectations about a lot of this stuff.

    There are good Christians who are doing art, music, and media. Usually the really good ones do it in the secular realm because they have a calling to redeem that space and offer a better example.
     
  13. pinoybaptist

    pinoybaptist Active Member
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    you should watch it.
    it's good.
    I come from a family of cops, too.
    Father. brother-in-law. three uncles. myself (but for only 2 years, then went to another service).
     
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