Author Topic: Is listening to KISS okay? (Read 431 times)

IndultCat · « **on:** **Yesterday** at 04:53:28 PM »

My nephew is a Novus Ordo Catholic and he's been a life-long fan of the rock band KISS. I told him that while some of their songs are fun to listen to (e.g. Rock and Roll All Nite, Shout It Out Loud, the anti-drug/alcohol song Detriot Rock City) and even beautifully moving (e.g. their love ballad Beth), other songs from them are borderline blasphemous. Plus the make-up the band wears, especially the make-up worn by the bass player, can be blasphemous and even demonic. I heard that KISS stands for Knights In Satan's Service and that the two founding members are (((tiny hats))).

I was thinking: Can we listen to some songs by a music band and avoid othersby the same band and still remain Catholic?

Giovanni Berto · « **Reply #1 on:** **Yesterday** at 05:10:54 PM »

The problem is that the whole lifestyle that they promote is sinful. Most of the songs have bad lyrics. Some are very indecent, like "Lick It Up". It's even funny to some extent.

If you listen to some Kiss songs as an adult for entertainment, that is still a poor choice, but it probably won't harm you as much. On the other hand, if somebody younger than 20 or so listens to Kiss, it may have disastrous effects. We become very attached to the art we consume when we are young.

More cerebral rock songs might be ok, but I wouldn't allow my son to become a Kiss fan, since it is the more basic and dirty kind of rock.

Still, I think that Detroit Rock City is a great rock song.

SkidRowCatholic · « **Reply #2 on:** **Yesterday** at 05:21:10 PM »

Quote from: IndultCat on Yesterday at 04:53:28 PM

My nephew is a Satanist and he's been a life-long fan of the rock band KISS.

This makes more sense.

HeidtXtreme · « **Reply #3 on:** **Yesterday** at 05:29:16 PM »

95% of the music mainstream playing on the radio or in the mainstream music sphere these days is bad to listen to for a variety of reasons, at least I personally think so. Be it the content of the lyrics, the demonic messaging or imagery, or the depravity of the musician. I find it sad that many of my peers, even at my local SSPX chapel, listen to rap music, and I see how it makes them more and more pleasure-oriented and uncivilized. Plus most music that we would listen to for fun is music that raises the lower passions anyways, so I think it should be listened to in moderation.

SkidRowCatholic · « **Reply #4 on:** **Yesterday** at 05:43:46 PM »

Quote from: Giovanni Berto on Yesterday at 05:10:54 PM

Still, I think that Detroit Rock City is a great rock song.

In my misguided youth, I listened to enough evil music to last 10 lifetimes...

So, take this for what it is worth... And I know you ain't no youngin either.

I think you might just like the "beat", and maybe the chorus, but what the song is really about is EVIL...

Here are the lyrics:

. congressional reports. President Ford
says that he's disappointed with
Congress's performance. In Detroit, a Pontiac,
Michigan youth was reported dead at the scene
of a head-on collision on Grand Avenue this morning.
The youth was reportedly driving on the wrong side
of the boulevard when he struck a delivery truck - - Remember this for the end.
and was catapulted through the windshield of his
car. The driver of the truck is reported to be
uninjured. The identities of both men are being
withheld by local police. County legislatives today
are expected to rally to the aid of striking
longshoremen in hopes of ending the 9 month deadlock ..."

"...roll all night and party every day
I wanna rock and roll all night and party every day"

I feel uptight on a Saturday night
Nine o' clock, the radio's the only light
I hear my song and it pulls me through
Comes on strong, tells me what I got to do - - His "song" tells him what to do = demons
I got to

Get up
Everybody's gonna move their feet
Get down
Everybody's gonna leave their seat
You gotta lose your mind in Detroit Rock City - - Which isn't just an expression for the possessed/damned.

Get up
Everybody's gonna move their feet
Get down
Everybody's gonna leave their seat

Getting late
I just can't wait
Ten o'clock and I know I gotta hit the road
First I drink, then I smoke
Start up the car, and I try to make the midnight show - - Endorsement of drinking and doing drugs before driving.

Get up
Everybody's gonna move their feet
Get down
Everybody's gonna leave their seat

Movin' fast, doin' 95
Hit top speed but I'm still movin' much too slow - - Reckless driving much? But clearly it is also a veiled reference to more drugs.
I feel so good, I'm so alive
I hear my song playin' on the radio
It goes

Get up
Everybody's gonna move their feet
Get down
Everybody's gonna leave their seat

Twelve o'clock, I gotta rock
There's a truck ahead, lights starin' at my eyes
Oh my God, no time to turn
I got to laugh 'cause I know I'm gonna die - - He is the guy from the beginning - the devils lead him to his death - his last words - blasphemy.
Why

Get up
Everybody's gonna move their feet
Get up
Everybody's gonna leave their seat - - He was literally catapulted from his seat and died...

So if this song isn't Satanic - I don't know what is...

I suggest if you like the beat so much finding a YouTube download of the instrumental version - but considering that you probably wouldn't be able to get the lyrics out of your head...

Giovanni Berto · « **Reply #5 on:** **Yesterday** at 06:14:43 PM »

Quote from: SkidRowCatholic on Yesterday at 05:43:46 PM

In my misguided youth, I listened to enough evil music to last 10 lifetimes...

So, take this for what it is worth... And I know you ain't no youngin either.

I think you might just like the "beat", and maybe the chorus, but what the song is really about is EVIL...

Here are the lyrics:

. congressional reports. President Ford
says that he's disappointed with
Congress's performance. In Detroit, a Pontiac,
Michigan youth was reported dead at the scene
of a head-on collision on Grand Avenue this morning.
The youth was reportedly driving on the wrong side
of the boulevard when he struck a delivery truck - - Remember this for the end.
and was catapulted through the windshield of his
car. The driver of the truck is reported to be
uninjured. The identities of both men are being
withheld by local police. County legislatives today
are expected to rally to the aid of striking
longshoremen in hopes of ending the 9 month deadlock ..."

"...roll all night and party every day
I wanna rock and roll all night and party every day"

I feel uptight on a Saturday night
Nine o' clock, the radio's the only light
I hear my song and it pulls me through
Comes on strong, tells me what I got to do - - His "song" tells him what to do = demons
I got to

Get up
Everybody's gonna move their feet
Get down
Everybody's gonna leave their seat
You gotta lose your mind in Detroit Rock City - - Which isn't just an expression for the possessed/damned.

Get up
Everybody's gonna move their feet
Get down
Everybody's gonna leave their seat

Getting late
I just can't wait
Ten o'clock and I know I gotta hit the road
First I drink, then I smoke
Start up the car, and I try to make the midnight show - - Endorsement of drinking and doing drugs before driving.

Get up
Everybody's gonna move their feet
Get down
Everybody's gonna leave their seat

Movin' fast, doin' 95
Hit top speed but I'm still movin' much too slow - - Reckless driving much? But clearly it is also a veiled reference to more drugs.
I feel so good, I'm so alive
I hear my song playin' on the radio
It goes

Get up
Everybody's gonna move their feet
Get down
Everybody's gonna leave their seat

Twelve o'clock, I gotta rock
There's a truck ahead, lights starin' at my eyes
Oh my God, no time to turn
I got to laugh 'cause I know I'm gonna die - - He is the guy from the beginning - the devils lead him to his death - his last words - blasphemy.
Why

Get up
Everybody's gonna move their feet
Get up
Everybody's gonna leave their seat - - He was literally catapulted from his seat and died...

So if this song isn't Satanic - I don't know what is...

I suggest if you like the beat so much finding a YouTube download of the instrumental version - but considering that you probably wouldn't be able to get the lyrics out of your head...

I did not know this much about the lyrics. I have never been a Kiss fan. I just know a few songs.

A lot of times I don't really notice the lyrics of a song, since I am not a native speaker of English. What I like about this song is the riffs, the in front of the beat drumming, the solo, etc...

On a moral level, merely listening to a song that is about a bad thing might not be a sin. I mean, we can watch a movie about a bad person, but it is not per se a sin. There are many movies with evil characters that have a positive message. I am not being liberal here, I am just trying to see the moral implications.

The song describes a young man who was possessed or at least influenced by demons and commited ѕυιcιdє. Merely listening to it does not look like a sin to me, but if a young man listens to such songs everyday, sings it, collects posters of these evil musicians and so on, it will certainly have a very bad effect on his life. Entertainment is not just about the art, it promotes values (or a lack of them), habits and a whole lifestyle. The Kiss lifestyle is not pleasing to God, that is for sure.

St Giles · « **Reply #6 on:** **Yesterday** at 07:00:51 PM »

Quote from: IndultCat on Yesterday at 04:53:28 PM

I was thinking: Can we listen to some songs by a music band and avoid others by the same band and still remain Catholic?

What would Jesus do?

IndultCat · « **Reply #7 on:** **Yesterday** at 09:23:33 PM »

I see the lyrics of Detroit Rock City as a "warning" that having a mentality like the person singing the lyrics (in a first person narrative) will definitely get you killed. That's why I have always considered it an anti-drugs/anti-alcohol song.

However, one of the most demonic popular songs I can remember hearing on the radio when I was growing up was the Blue Oyster Cult song "Don't Fear The Reaper" because it's a song about encouraging people to commit ѕυιcιdє with the lyrics: "40,000 people do it every day...we can be like they are...come on baby, don't fear the reaper."

IndultCat · « **Reply #8 on:** **Yesterday** at 09:53:13 PM »

Another popular song, albeit not a rock song, that has somewhat of a twisted message is the George Hαɾɾιson so-called religious song "My Sweet Lord" because, while the music appears catchy, the lyrics seem to be about a person who is not enjoying living the life God gave him and is hinting at the fact that he wants to die. That is noticed with the repeated lyrics of "I really want to see you but it takes so long, my Lord."

The song also seems to be a Christian song at first (since the singer is speaking to God) as the chorus sings "Hallelujah...Hallelujah" but then near the end of the song, the same chorus begins to sing "Hare Krishna...Krishna Krishna...Dalai Lama".

I know that the writer and singer of the song abandoned his Christian faith but, in one of his other so-called religious songs called "Awaiting On You All", he arrogantly puts down and insults the Holy Rosary which should NEVER be done by or acceptable to anyone no matter what a person's faith may be. In that same song, for some reason, he makes the asinine remark that "the pope owns 51% of general motors" (another blatant anti-Catholic lyric).

I find it ironic that many popular entertainers who have written and performed songs that insult, mock or curse God end up dying painful, agonizing deaths. George Hαɾɾιson died such a death in 2001 at age 58 and I can't help but think that maybe, as he was on his death bed, he realized the millions of people he negatively influenced with those two songs. Who knows?

The same can be said for John Lennon's atheist/communist anthem "Imagine" and his anti-Christian song "God." He was shot to death at age 40.

Yet another example is Frank Zappa who sang that God is dumb and ugly in his song "Dumb All Over" and then succuмbed to an agonizing death of prostate cancer at age 52.

These examples remind me that those singers who openly mock, blaspheme, and insult God (and thereby negatively influencing millions of listeners) always get what's coming to them sooner or later.

Matthew · « **Reply #9 on:** **Yesterday** at 10:42:06 PM »

KISS is bad music, regardless of whether or not their name stands for "Knights In Satan's Service". I know, that was alleged by a Protestant minister. But it doesn't invalidate the charge! I have actually heard, with my own ears, a Trad defend "KISS" with that very argument.

But use your common sense. Just look at them, their lifestyle, their "teaching". Judge the tree by its fruits.

Why even PRETEND to be satanic. If they're pretending, they're evil. If they're not pretending, they're evil.
See the problem?

Even if they aren't overtly satanic, they're still serving satan. With songs like "lick it up" -- pretty disgusting. They're serving the devil, whether they think so or not.

Stubborn · « **Reply #10 on:** **Today** at 05:27:02 AM »

I loved rock music when I was young, it was often blaring all day every day in the places I worked so I couldn't help but listen to it a lot, it's addictive - if you don't think so, give it up.

It's intent is evil and as Fr. John O'Connor (rip) said - even the name "Rock and Roll" has sɛҳuąƖ connotations. It is designed to obliterate and replace our interior life as it fills our minds with impure and indecent thoughts. It also is a tool that is used to unite those who listen to the same music, most often that means with the anti and un-godly.

It is a danger that is to be avoided - IMO.

"Is listening to KISS okay?" no, it's not ok.

Seraphina · « **Reply #11 on:** **Today** at 09:34:15 AM »

KISS was popular when I was in high school and college. Just their album cover was evil looking. If musicians appear evil or lewd, I don’t want to listen to them.

Michaelknoxville · « **Reply #12 on:** **Today** at 10:06:16 AM »

It’s never just about music. Think of music as a frequency and how that frequency can affect your internal state. What “ frequency” the music was created on will affect the frequency of the listener. Intentions are very important and the intentions of a “rock and roller” are aimed at what? Sex, drugs, good times, sorrow, abuse, neglect, it’s never good. So when you take that frequency in on a subconscious level you’re accepting the state of the one who created it when it was being created. It doesn’t get anymore low iq low decency than kiss. That music was made with no consideration to God and Holy things. There isn’t even the pursuit of higher truth that you will find in some rock. It’s meant to drive you to worldly states to feed on indulgence. The level that you accept it is the level you accept that frequency that is being put out there. It changes you whether you perceive it or not. That station should be coming in as static and incompatible with what your tuned into. God spoke the world into existence frequencies are everything. The frequency you operate on should be tuned to Gods station which is compatible with your receiver. Aka your soul and your mind. If your tuned into that kind of filth that comes out of Kiss and it’s compatible to you, I’m worried!

SkidRowCatholic · « **Reply #13 on:** **Today** at 10:16:55 AM »

Quote from: Giovanni Berto on Yesterday at 06:14:43 PM

A lot of times I don't really notice the lyrics of a song, since I am not a native speaker of English. What I like about this song is the riffs, the in front of the beat drumming, the solo, etc...

Merely listening to it does not look like a sin to me.

You write English very well, even compared to most native English speakers...

As for the rest,

The moral reasoning here looks sound to me...

Governing principles from the pre‑Conciliar tradition:

Moral species: object, end, circuмstances. An external action (listening) is evaluated by what it is in itself, the agent’s intention, and the circuмstances. Mere listening to lively music is not intrinsically evil; culpability depends on interior consent and proximate occasion. (Prümmer; Thomistic manual tradition).

Delectation and consent. Manuals distinguish involuntary movement of the passions from deliberate delectation. If one deliberately takes pleasure in sensual arousal produced by music, moral fault increases; if one resists or is indifferent, there may be no sin. (Prümmer; classical casuists).

Proximate occasion of sin. Music that directly and immediately excites lust or leads one to commit a sinful act is a proximate occasion and may render listening sinful if the agent freely places himself in that occasion. Manuals advise avoiding such proximate occasions. (Traditional moral manuals; Prümmer).

Scandal and harm to others. If listening (or publicly promoting) certain songs scandalizes others or leads them into sin, that adds a grave circuмstance and can make the act sinful for the agent. (Classical moral teaching on scandal).

Application to “passionate beats” and sinful lyrics:

Passionate beats (rhythm, tempo): Rhythm alone is morally neutral. It becomes morally problematic only if it is used to stir sensual passions and the listener consents to that stirring or deliberately cultivates sensual delectation. (Prümmer; Thomistic reasoning).

Sinful lyrics: Explicitly immoral lyrics (blasphemy, erotic incitement, advocacy of vice) are a serious negative circuмstance. Listening with approval or repeating such lyrics can be sinful; passive exposure with no consent may be venially or not culpable depending on prudence and occasion. (Pre‑Conciliar manuals on occasion, consent, scandal).

Bottom line: According to pre‑Vatican II moralists (Prümmer and the classical tradition), listening is not intrinsically sinful; culpability depends on whether the music is a proximate occasion of sin, whether one consents to sensual delectation, and whether scandal or grave harm results.

To this I would add that - if it looks Satanic (evil), smells, Satanic (evil), or sounds Satanic (evil) - then it would only make sense to stay away as the first principle of the natural law is, “Good is to be done and pursued; evil is to be avoided.”

Giovanni Berto · « **Reply #14 on:** **Today** at 11:29:08 AM »

Quote from: SkidRowCatholic on Today at 10:16:55 AM

You write English very well, even compared to most native English speakers...

As for the rest,

The moral reasoning here looks sound to me...

Governing principles from the pre‑Conciliar tradition:

Moral species: object, end, circuмstances. An external action (listening) is evaluated by what it is in itself, the agent’s intention, and the circuмstances. Mere listening to lively music is not intrinsically evil; culpability depends on interior consent and proximate occasion. (Prümmer; Thomistic manual tradition).

Delectation and consent. Manuals distinguish involuntary movement of the passions from deliberate delectation. If one deliberately takes pleasure in sensual arousal produced by music, moral fault increases; if one resists or is indifferent, there may be no sin. (Prümmer; classical casuists).

Proximate occasion of sin. Music that directly and immediately excites lust or leads one to commit a sinful act is a proximate occasion and may render listening sinful if the agent freely places himself in that occasion. Manuals advise avoiding such proximate occasions. (Traditional moral manuals; Prümmer).

Scandal and harm to others. If listening (or publicly promoting) certain songs scandalizes others or leads them into sin, that adds a grave circuмstance and can make the act sinful for the agent. (Classical moral teaching on scandal).

Application to “passionate beats” and sinful lyrics:

Passionate beats (rhythm, tempo): Rhythm alone is morally neutral. It becomes morally problematic only if it is used to stir sensual passions and the listener consents to that stirring or deliberately cultivates sensual delectation. (Prümmer; Thomistic reasoning).

Sinful lyrics: Explicitly immoral lyrics (blasphemy, erotic incitement, advocacy of vice) are a serious negative circuмstance. Listening with approval or repeating such lyrics can be sinful; passive exposure with no consent may be venially or not culpable depending on prudence and occasion. (Pre‑Conciliar manuals on occasion, consent, scandal).

Bottom line: According to pre‑Vatican II moralists (Prümmer and the classical tradition), listening is not intrinsically sinful; culpability depends on whether the music is a proximate occasion of sin, whether one consents to sensual delectation, and whether scandal or grave harm results.

To this I would add that - if it looks Satanic (evil), smells, Satanic (evil), or sounds Satanic (evil) - then it would only make sense to stay away as the first principle of the natural law is, “Good is to be done and pursued; evil is to be avoided.”

I thank you for the compliment.

I completely agree with your exposition about morals here.

Author Topic: Is listening to KISS okay? (Read 431 times)

IndultCat

Is listening to KISS okay?

Giovanni Berto

Re: Is listening to KISS okay?

SkidRowCatholic

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HeidtXtreme

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SkidRowCatholic

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Giovanni Berto

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St Giles

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IndultCat

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IndultCat

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Matthew

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Stubborn

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Seraphina

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Michaelknoxville

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SkidRowCatholic

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Giovanni Berto

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