Alright Cathinfo. You'll probably remember that I made a thread a while back about Heavy Metal being inherently sinful.  Thanks to the feedback on that thread, I've pretty much cut out any death/thrash/doom (Didn't listen to that angsty crap to start with, but still)/black metal out of my music library, and subsequently my life, for good, and I feel that cutting it out is actually starting to help me in my faith without listening to that stuff.

So, I have another question in that light, since, in the thread, we were talking about music that apparently ignites passions that could turn sinful such as the type of music mentioned, is electronic music similar to this:  
in danger of doing that as well?

You have only to read a few comments to get your own answer, MrYeZe. Why do you want to hear that monotonous sound (can't call it music)? Just what does it do for you?

When you say "read a few comments" you're referring to the comments under the YouTube page, correct?

You have only to read a few comments to get your own answer, MrYeZe. Why do you want to hear that monotonous sound (can't call it music)? Just what does it do for you?

Yes it is not music...

It is noise that numbs your mind


Catholics should only listen to actual music (classical, operatic).

Alright Cathinfo. You'll probably remember that I made a thread a while back about Heavy Metal being inherently sinful.  Thanks to the feedback on that thread, I've pretty much cut out any death/thrash/doom (Didn't listen to that angsty crap to start with, but still)/black metal out of my music library, and subsequently my life, for good, and I feel that cutting it out is actually starting to help me in my faith without listening to that stuff.

So, I have another question in that light, since, in the thread, we were talking about music that apparently ignites passions that could turn sinful such as the type of music mentioned, is electronic music similar to this:  
in danger of doing that as well?

I think you already know the answer to your question. Of course it is harmful. When I was young, I use to listen to Rock music of all kinds, Rap, and Rave music. It is extremely harmful to one's soul and psyche! I was at a rock concert one time when during the intermission they played a video over the screens in the concert area that overtly mocked our Lord Jesus Christ. I was appalled because I still new that was a horrific offense against God.

Rock music and electronic music are truly the music of the devil. I have studied a little about the subject and many of the bands associated with such music practice magic and worship the devil.

There are many good articles out there that talk about proper music vs disordered music. I believe there is still one out there by a certain Fr. Basil Nortz. Just google something like fr. basil nortz and the evils of rock music.

Most modern music is disordered. I would recommend finding some good BlueGrass and other folk music. You still have to be a little careful when it comes to some of these groups, though. There are also many very touching folk songs that come from the cινιℓ ωαr era.

Quote from: MrYeZe

Alright Cathinfo. You'll probably remember that I made a thread a while back about Heavy Metal being inherently sinful.  Thanks to the feedback on that thread, I've pretty much cut out any death/thrash/doom (Didn't listen to that angsty crap to start with, but still)/black metal out of my music library, and subsequently my life, for good, and I feel that cutting it out is actually starting to help me in my faith without listening to that stuff.

So, I have another question in that light, since, in the thread, we were talking about music that apparently ignites passions that could turn sinful such as the type of music mentioned, is electronic music similar to this:  
in danger of doing that as well?

I think you already know the answer to your question. Of course it is harmful. When I was young, I use to listen to Rock music of all kinds, Rap, and Rave music. It is extremely harmful to one's soul and psyche! I was at a rock concert one time when during the intermission they played a video over the screens in the concert area that overtly mocked our Lord Jesus Christ. I was appalled because I still new that was a horrific offense against God.

Rock music and electronic music are truly the music of the devil. I have studied a little about the subject and many of the bands associated with such music practice magic and worship the devil.

There are many good articles out there that talk about proper music vs disordered music. I believe there is still one out there by a certain Fr. Basil Nortz. Just google something like fr. basil nortz and the evils of rock music.

Most modern music is disordered. I would recommend finding some good BlueGrass and other folk music. You still have to be a little careful when it comes to some of these groups, though. There are also many very touching folk songs that come from the cινιℓ ωαr era.

You fail to address electronic music at all, however. All you did was quote an example from your days at a rock concert. You are throwing "electronic music" in with Rock and Rap (which have bad lyrics) as being from the devil, but you don't give a reason why.

I clicked on the track in question, and it just sounded like a movie soundtrack or something. Totally harmless.

Music reflects, as well as influences, one's emotions, how they feel. Some people have a lot of energy. Drums are not evil. They aren't appropriate for sacred use, but neither is a full orchestra. That doesn't mean a full orchestra is evil.

If your soul is at peace you will not want to listen to "angsty" or disordered music. However, there are LOTS of genres that have some order you can be after/enjoy/cling to: any combination of rhythm, harmony, melody, and lyrics. Music is like food; some excel in all 4 areas, while others are the equivalent of candy, being mostly rhythm or mostly harmony. Even (clean) rap music often has "pretty sounds" in the background, a regular beat, and lyrics which line up perfectly with that beat, which can be satisfying.

Let's not confuse our own opinions (which were formed by when we were born, what we listened to as teenagers, etc.) with Catholic doctrine. If it's opinion, please admit that it's just your opinion.

The Catholic Church has not ever spoken about the morality of synthesized music.

I always say: what does the music do for you, or to you? Does it help you work? Does it depress you? Uplift you? Make you feel happy?

Pretty much all music (aside from chant or classical) will "dissipate" you, in other words prevent you from actively meditating/praying. But let's face it -- for most individuals, there are plenty of hours in each day that are not spent in prayer anyhow. For example, during work.

For some people, music might help soothe the nerves and help them to deal with the stresses of daily life. Again, we shouldn't assume everyone is like us, and pass judgment accordingly. Let's leave a bit of leeway for individual situations, circuмstances and tastes. That's what the Catholic Church does ALL THE TIME (has the Church ever ruled on how many children each couple should have? How much money you should make before you can get married? What kind of music we can listen to? etc.)

Sin is an offense against God. If you are claiming synthesized music is "sinful", you have to move beyond Ned Flanders (who simply dislikes a style of music and calls it evil) and cite some actual reason why it offends God.

But don't confuse God and your own sensibilities. It might be offensive to you, yet perfectly harmless.

I remember when I first heard MC Hammer's "Can't Touch This" in the late 80's, I reacted like an old person would have -- "oooh, it sounds strangely addictive and weird. It makes me want to listen to it. Evil!" but then I heard it a few times, and learned that while it was quite catchy/bubble-gummy/an "earworm", there was nothing wrong with the lyrics.

AuroraX - The Mirthless Symphony (Ambient / Psybient / Psydrone / Drone Mix)




This is the CD I have listened to most often in my car. I sure it is somewhat dangerous, but I love these soundscapes, which seem to float me away to a different place.

I see a lot of people judging how good a piece of music is based on the strength of the emotions it arouses in them. In my opinion seeking after powerful emotional experiences is a bit disordered. The best music leaves you calm and appeals more to the intellect than the emotions. Of course there is nothing wrong with a sad song on a sad occasion, or a happy song on a happy occasion. But when you are listening to music privately it is best to go for something calming, reflective, tranquil.

What if the music appeals to the intellect and emotions at the same time, such as the artist I posted in the link above.

Quote from: McFiggly

I see a lot of people judging how good a piece of music is based on the strength of the emotions it arouses in them. In my opinion seeking after powerful emotional experiences is a bit disordered. The best music leaves you calm and appeals more to the intellect than the emotions. Of course there is nothing wrong with a sad song on a sad occasion, or a happy song on a happy occasion. But when you are listening to music privately it is best to go for something calming, reflective, tranquil.

What if the music appeals to the intellect and emotions at the same time, such as the artist I posted in the link above.

Fine I suppose. They often overlap, like I said. And it's not that any 3 of them are evil in themselves, it's just that I think the third is most perfect in itself because it addressed to the spirit.

I would actually say that the music you linked is mostly spiritual. It's not that emotional at all. I mean, what emotions does it make you feel? My criticism of it would just be that it's a bit vague, a bit pantheistic and impersonal in that it kind of just ends in a cosmic rest, an ocean of calm, whereas Gregorian Chant is soothing but it is also personal, addressing God.