I just found this interesting. I was browsing Moonspell's forums and found a thread reguarding religion, and to my surprise, I found that many fans there followed Christianity. Not to put a bad label on the band, as I like them myself, but they aren't exactly the kind of band that I could imagine many Christians listening to, especially considering that their music is often geared towards all things "devilish" dubbed by the band's singer. So, what exactly makes music that seems questionable by certain believers, to still be listened to by them?

Very often the lyrics. Myself, I have found I simply cannot stand lyrics that go "Jesus suffered for us..." etc or gregorian chanting, even in the background of some other artist's work, it makes me want to kick something... Also, a band's image can mark them as "taboo" for many believers, I think.

Yes, but that's the thing that gets me. I'm asking what makes people become fans of the lyrical genre that they don't believe in. Many people don't follow it that way, despite the fact that the lyrics often contradict their beliefs, many still listen to them. Unless I'm missing a grander scheme of all things here, it just seems kind of contradictory in certain situations. Not to say that Christians can't listen to Moonspell, because I'm one of them, yet I'm often a bit leary of actually calling myself a fan because of association with something I don't believe in. I simply listen more for the aesthetic sound, but am too repulsed by the actual content to follow the band all the way through. But apparently, I'm not just an oddball, there's plenty of Christians that listen to them, 29% on the forums to be exact, and that's besides so many other monotheistic religions taken in the poll.

Just because someone calls themselves Christian it doesnt limit them to certain beliefs.Many people call themselves Christians, because they arent jewish or muslim, not because they are fundamentalists..

For myself, I dont pay much attention to lyrics, its the sound that counts. I dont like most "Christian" musicians because the message comes before the music usually.

just my opinion of course.

I can't listen to most religious-themed music that's inconsistent with my own beliefs... at least, not when it comes to Christian music that basically says "praise God/Jesus" over...and over.

Also, "Satanic" music is almost invariably banal.

For me it's music first, lyrics second. I don't mind the subject of the lyrics either, as long as they're well-thought-out.

I totally agree. Even though I dislike Christianity intensely (Not the Christians themselves, a few of my better friends are Christians. I just don't agree with the majority of the beliefs and doctrine), a few bands I like are explicitly Christian.

Of course, repetitive lyrics are always annoying, but when they're religious somehow it makes them more annoying, it feels like you're listening to some kind of advertising.

I think you've answered your own question there, Markov. Most people who follow bands whose beliefs are in opposition to that of the musicians, do so because they appreciate the music - the melodies, the band's talent etc - minus the lyrics or beliefs of the band members themselves.

A good friend of mine is a devout Catholic and listens to little else than black metal! When asked why she appreciates such a genre, she refers to the passion of the music, the blastbeats of the drums, the guitarists tremolo picking etc. She can also admit that the beliefs of the artists are 'thought-provoking', but in no way does she let it influence her own Christian beliefs.

I think those who listen to music which lyrically goes against one's own beliefs should be commended for their open-mindness. There are too many people out there who only listen to music - be it Christian, Satanic, or otherwise - who's lyrical content they agree with.

For me, it`s more about content and the line between art and propaganda. If I disagree with an artist who is still able to present their message in an artistic, powerful, and thought provoking yet non-preachy way, I still commend them.

Back in my black metal days, I still listened to the odd NSBM band like Burzum, Graveland, or Nokturnal Mortum, even though I fullheartedly despise all forms of fascism or racism. They were able to let their political beliefs take a back seat to the emotional poetry of the music.

Same thing with bands promoting a particular religion. Can`t say I know many christian bands, but there are a few, such as Mental Destruction and Virgin Black who I find enjoyable.

Is this simply open to religious beliefs, or for political and social beliefs as well?

If the answer is religion only then feel free to disreguard most of my response.

Being of a more anarchist/communist (or perhaps even anarchist communist) I find that I do tend to prefer listening to music that does represent my beliefs: Alec Empire, Skinny Puppy &c. Though that said I do listen to a fair bit of music that defies it, music that glorifies heirachy, capital and degrades certain people...such as burzum, and music made by greedy capatalist pigs *shakes fist*

When it comes to religion I'm open. But I find so much religious music to me just sounds like total shit (each to their own opinion I suppose). I find most contemporary worship music to be made for money rather than belief which I find offensive. Though there's some great stuff out there. A christian jazz band I do sound for on tours (usually with the legend who is James Morrison ) is a prime example...

That really didn't make any sense to me. So basically you're saying that it's a good thing to listen to music that goes against your beliefs? If so there's something wrong there. Either your beliefs aren't strong enough or you're actually 'against' them. If you believe in one thing, but prefer to listen to music with a completely opposite meaning there's something wrong there there IMHO (unless it's a really devout person who tries to test their values but then again it's a bit too weird :p ).

Actually it`s more about the ability to be tolerant to other points of view.
I agree to not listening to PROPAGANDA that goes against your views, but art is another story altogether. Art can be inspired by one thing, but open to interpretation by anyone who listens to it. If the listener can learn, be inspired by, or find something of value in the artist`s presentation, then they`ve succeeded as an artist.

Most of the time music such as punk tends to be far more propaganda-oriented because everything tends to be completely straightforward and lyric-based. However, music such as gothic rock, darkwave, industrial, EBM, metal, and dark ambient is all about composition and emotion rather than the literal message itself, so you can always find things that you can relate to even from an artist of a completely opposite ideological stance.
Burzum, for instance has absolutely no political/racist messages withing the music whatsoever, but rather attempts to envelop the listener in a melancholic world of nostalgia and tales of ancient times and values.

Listening to diverse music merely expands your mind, and makes you more aware of the world and it`s people, and how everyone thinks differently. It has nothing to do with changing your beliefs. If your beliefs are swayed, changed, or defined by music or the idolization of an artist, then they aren`t all that strong to begin with.

Why would there be something wrong there? The person could simply like the composition of the music and not care about the meaning behind the lyrics or what they represent. I don't care what religion the band claims to be and whether or not their music reflects their beliefs. If the band's talent appeals to me, then I'll listen to it.

It's just music. If it makes you feel good, listen to it. If it makes you uncomfortable or miserable, then turn it off. If music is all it takes to sway you from your religious beliefs, or any beliefs, or you force yourself to listen to a particular music to be part of a certain group, THEN that's when there's something wrong.

Thanks, centurion, that's what I meant.

I wasn't saying, tdf,that it's a necessarily 'good thing to listen to music that goes against your beliefs', I meant that it's good to be open-minded enough to appreciate and listen to music created by people who may not have the same morals or beliefs as you do.

Oke I got it. I guess I just look at it from a different point of view. I understand and agree with the whole concept of being open, or at least accepting things that are strange to you. But the thing is everything has limits. Maybe I'm taking it a bit too far in this example but still, if someone is a Christian and is proud of his/her religion and at the same time listens to music that promotes satanic/anti-Christian values and you not only listen to them but also support them by buying their music. Lyrics is an important component of music even if many people don't pay much attention to it (myself included most of the time). So the result is that that given Christian is actually promoting anti-Christianity. That kind of bothers me.