Religion Influence in Music

Music in today’s society is influenced by many things, as it was throughout history, such as religion, drugs, sexuality, culture, technology, and many other topics. These influences are an important part of the music. The lyrics and sound produced by a rock band are very different than that of a jazz group. Religion is a subject that is very influential in the music an artist makes. Their religion or spirituality is very important to the music they create. I believe that people, or artists, are free to make and talk about anything they want within their music. A person of one religion can create music that expresses something that is not in line with their own beliefs. I’m not sure if anyone would be interested in contradicting themselves, or yet talk about a different religion that is not theirs, but if it were to happen, I don’t think it would devalue the experience. The artist may come off as being hypocritical, but as long as they aren’t talking bad or being sarcastic with the things they are saying then I think it’s alright for them to do this. Now as to whomever is listening to the music, that is their choice to think if it is good or bad, and/or right or wrong. It would be a little cynical, for example, for a catholic artist to be singing about anti-Christ things. So concerning the question of if this should be avoided, yes, I believe so. The music probably wouldn’t sell much anyways.

The impact of beliefs

In music, nobody is forced to sing about what they believe. In several cases, people don't. This doesn't mean they what they believe or not believe has no effect on what they wright. From personal experiences to religious beliefs, I think we can find a hint here and there every now and then. Should people with a certain belief sing music from other religions? They can if they want. My personal conviction is, if I want to live my life for Christ, I shouldn't sing or praise another God or Belief system. It make me feel uncomfortable. That is just how I feel. If I am listening to a christian piece sang by a Jewish singer, the song has not changed. the meaning behind the song has not changed, and depending on how well it is performed, it could sound pretty good. Why would someone sing a song from another religion? Some might do it for money or fame, and some might do it for media drama. This topic really depends on what you believe and what your personal convictions are.

Hypocrite?

A person’s religion or spirituality is very important to the music that they make. In most cases a person is very passionate and wants to exemplify their religious beliefs and values through all things that they do. Who are we to decide if a person of one religion can create music expressing beliefs that are not their own? The problem that arises if a musician created music that is not in ordinance with their own beliefs, is that the musician does not seem true to their own selves. A proper definition is a hypocrite, a person who goes against their beliefs. If you are going against your beliefs then it seems as if you are not a true believer in your religion or spirituality. If I had heard a piece of music by an artist claiming to believe in god then singing that god is not real, it would devalue the music to me. At first, it would make me question if they are being sarcastic or trying to ambiguously persuade the listener from these beliefs. Should artist avoid making the listener question their religious beliefs or spirituality? To me I believe it is up to the artist. If an artist is devoutly faithful to their religion, I would suggest they stay within the realms of their religion in order to avoid personal/ moral hatred. However, I cannot say that for every musician in the world. It really just depends on their beliefs, how strongly they believe, and their personal interpretations of their beliefs. I do believe that if you separate artist’s beliefs from the music. The music can still be appreciated and is just as beautiful to the listener, regardless of the artist personal beliefs.

Religion and Music

A person's religion and/or spirituality may or may not be important to the music they produce. It all depends on the producer. If the person is a part of a Christian band, then it is highly important for him or her to express his or her religion in song. That is what sells their music. It would be strange for their audience to hear their music that did not somewhere talk about God or any other religious aspect. On another note, some producers, such as pop singers do not always express their religion. Yes, they may have a religion they practice, but they do not incorparate it into their music. But it is for that reason why their music sells. They do not have to feel inclined to express any spirituality because it is not expected. In fact, it may be shocking to their audience if they did. A person of one religion should not express something that is not in their own line of beliefs. If they did, it would devalue the musical experience. It should definitely be avoided because their music would not sell and they would make a fool out of themselves. Why would someone express something they do not believe in? It would make him or her look "fake." It would completely distort who they are and the way their audience looks at them. Religion and spirituality is and is not an important aspect to the music they produce--it all depends on the way one looks at the question. One must really think of who is producing the music and why they are producing it to answer the question.

WEEK 7

Is a person’s religion or spirituality important to the music they make? Can a person of one religion create music that expresses something that is not in line with their own beliefs? If they did, would that devalue the musical experience? Is it something that should be avoided? Why or why not?

Not a Required Element

Many people now-a-days will argue that the current artistic (music, theatre, movies, etc) industry is all about, and nothing without, sex. In my opinion, sex is not a required element in order to sell music, movies, theatre, and other artistic endeavors. This is a problem our society faces; people think that the artistic industry must include something sexual in order to sell. This thought causes artists to lack creativity. Instead of coming up with new ideas, it is like they are scared that their art will not sell if it does not include sex. The mindset of most of our society is that sex is a bad thing, but yet it sells all over the world. This is something that has to change, sex is not a bad thing yet it does not have to be an element that is classified as an essential for art to sell. I believe that it was more necessary a generation or two ago. Music in the past was more about the lyrics and obviously sex was a big topic in music. It still wasn’t an essential element back then but it was talked about more often. In today’s society, music such as house music, or techno, can be consisted of only beats and no vocals, yet it is still portrayed as sexual by some people. A generation or two ago, they couldn’t build these type of beats due to the lack of technology and music generating equipment. 

Sexuality

Sex can play a big role in music, movies, theater, and other artistic endeavors but it also does not have to. I do agree that it does. In today's society it is more because people expect it. Movies show it more and have more buyers. The movie Transformers show a sex appeal of Megan Fox showing more skin to attract more attention. Also Easy A show sexuality by seducing guys to believe that she is sleeping around. Music has more of a role by lyrics and the CD covers. Miley Cyrus's CD cover, "Can't be Tamed" shows that shes in a belly shirt with her thumb in her belt loop. Famous artists painted "Adam and Eve" that cover up with leaves. This is also a introduction of Desperate Housewives. This draws the attention to watchers to keeping watching the show and to see what the show is all about. Theater plays a act of sexuality in the play of Carmen. She is a gypsy that seduces a soldier then she goes a finds another man but the soldier still wants her. Sexuality shows fame as sprung with some but also people without from the past and the present.

Sex in music, movies, etc.

I honestly do not believe that sex is a required element to sell modern media, but I didn't say it wouldn't help it sell. Everything today including music, movies, theater, and other artistic endeavors are sold with the aspects of sex. Sex has become used more and more over the past couple generations and is still increasing today. The idea of 'sex sells' was started back around 1910 and has had the same idea ever since. Now even though the idea of 'sex sells' hasn't changed, the depth and variations that sex is and was used has indeed changed drastically. I believe that it is more necessary in today’s world for sex to be used as a marketing tool than in the past. For example, Marilyn Monroe's 1955 picture of her dress blowing up was, for the time period, considered to be extremely risque. Although by today’s standards, that picture would be overlooked and not be considered sexually appealing. As time has passed, we have been lowering the standard of what is socially acceptable (in terms of clothing) which in return raised the desire to use more sex to sell products. Although, in my opinion, it is not required to use sex to sell different products, sex does help products sell. It is a well known fact that everyone wants to be entertained. When people are ether watching a movie or looking at art, all of them want to like what they see and I truly believe sex was one of very few things everyone enjoys. Artists are just playing into our biological predispositions.

Today's Society and Sex

Since the past two generations, sex has increasingly become a "required" element in order to sell music, movies, theatre, and other artistic endeavors. In today's society, sex, sex appeal, and sexual innuendos are more accepted whereas perhaps sixty or seventy years ago, if these aspects were noticed in artistic endeavors, it would come off as offensive or inappropriate. Older men and women are more conservative and modest, but because sex is more accepted today, younger individuals, such as young adults, teenagers, and even kids are wearing clothing that is much more revealing. The acceptance of sex has drastically changed the culture within the past two generations. In music, not every artist makes references to sex, but many do in comparison to just so many years ago. For example, kids today are singing Lady GaGa songs without even realizing that most of her songs deal with sex. In almost every movie today, even the ones rated PG, they make sexual innuendos or sometimes even show a "nip slip." Even on childrens' T.V. shows, such as iCarly, they show some sex appeal. For example, on one episode they made a big deal about a bra. Typically, most female children are not even developed enough to wear a bra, so why emphasize one on a kid's show? Obviously many people do not agree with this type of behavior being displayed on T.V., but sex is what sells these types of things. Sometimes the sex is more subtle, and sometimes it is blunter. To answer the question of is sex required in order for artistic endeavors to sell--the answer is yes--in one way or another.

Sex is not a required element

In my opinion, I do not think sex is a required element in order to sell music, movies, theatre, or other artistic endeavours . However, I do think it is much more acceptable than it was a generation or two ago and it is definitely used more than it used to be. There are some genres of music, movies, and theatre where there is a lot of sexual content, and they are successful, but I do not believe the use of sex is what necessarily makes it popular. On the other hand, there is also a lot of genres that rarely have any sexual content, and it is still just as successful. People want to listen to or watch things that will be interesting to them, for example sports, family, love, comedy or music in general. None of these need sex as an element to make it popular because people will be drawn to it for the bigger picture. As I said before, the element of sex is, however, more acceptable now that it was before. Before, actually, it was rather uncommon to have sex as an element in music, movies, and other artistic endeavours.  This backs up my view that sex isn’t a required element, because those artistic endeavours still managed to keep people interested and be very successful.  But like I said before, sex is a lot more acceptable in today’s society. There are artists like Rihanna and Lady Gaga who often have a lot of sexual material in their songs which are extremely popular, but on the other hand there’s artists like Taylor Swift who often sings about love, but never includes sexual content, and she is just as popular.