I’m a rather finicky, opinionated person. I know this. It’s not one of my best traits, though it is one way that my passion (for life, for grammar, whatever) shines through. I try not to express my opinion in a way that disgraces another, but I don’t always succeed. Sometimes I’m far too argumentative about something that doesn’t much matter. (And hey, no need to confirm that – I already know it’s true, thanks. 🙂 I’m trying to improve.)
Consider yourself warned.
I don’t particularly like the words “secular” and “religious.” They’re buzz words that catch my ear. When I hear them, I prepare to filter the hyper-Christian culture from whatever is said. That mindset isn’t always a relevant one, but that has become my first instinct in such situations.
Why do we separate the secular from the religious? Can they really be separated? I have a hard time thinking so.
I encounter this idea most often in regard to music. I don’t think secular is necessarily the best word to describe an artist or a song, simply because they aren’t marketed primarily to a Christian audience. In fact, I would say it’s usually not the best descriptor. My favorite band is a great example of this. Nickel Creek is a band of three Christians, but you won’t hear their songs on a Christian radio station. (Heck, in Alabama, you won’t hear them on any radio station!) Is their music secular because of that? I don’t think so. Their songs are God-glorifying, regardless of who’s listening.
That idea applies to my daily life, as well. I’ve chosen not to pursue a career in vocational ministry. It’s quite likely that I won’t end up with a job at a Christian publication. Even so, I strongly believe that my work should bring glory to my creator. My faith plays a role in everything I do, even in moments when I choose to overlook it. I hope that’s evident, at least to some degree, to everyone who knows me.
For what it’s worth, if you ever want additional insight into the “spiritual” reasons that I am so passionate about journalism, you ought to check out this book. I am constantly pimping Tim Downs’ Finding Common Ground to anyone who asks what my favorite book is, because it’s the best book about evangelizing I’ve read.
Be warned… Random rantage from a stranger.
If there’s one thing in this world that makes me dreadfully ill, it’s the current state of the music industry, but even more specifically, the Christian music industry.
Since it appears that, you, also are Christian, I can be about 95% sure that you know at least one person who listens exclusively to Christian music, and whenever a Christian artist goes mainstream, has a hissy fit about it, feels betrayed and stops listening to them altogether, if they don’t denounce the artists salvation altogether simply for reaching beyond the Christian music sphere.
The truth is, it’s all a marketing ploy. The Christian music industry, for the most part, is cranking out a santitized imitation of what’s on secular radio. And they’re feeding the church the line that their music is better, more holy, and anything and everything on secular radio is garbage, and if a Christian is performing in a secular setting, there must be something terribly wrong with them.
I find this horribly ironic when many of the Christian labels are owned by larger secular labels, and they’re part of the RIAA, which conducts business practices that I do not approve of, and I do not consider Christian in any way, shape, or form. It’s a just a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
But, I have to remind myself, despite all the corruption that’s in the industry, God still does his work.
Well, hate to cut this rantage short, but there’s a thunderstorm and I need to get to bed.
I find it impossible not to separate the two. It’s the only way I can exist in society.
I stumbled upon this site. I’m doing research on corruption in the Christian music industry. If anyone knows where I might find articles or sources relating to this subject, please e-mail me at duboisk@pop.belmont.edu .
Also, Geof F. Morris, you’ve made a wonderful point!
Regards,
Kirsten duBois
Thanks. 🙂
Hey, you’re from Nashville, Kirsten. If you want to study corruption in the CCM world, aren’t you already at Ground Zero? 😉