Pope Bans Modern Music
Now I do not agree with forming a church service around what will attract people but I so don't agree with this and GOP Vixen's analysis. First of all, what makes anyone decide what music is Godly and worshipful and what isn't? Gregorian Chants and sacred polyphonic isn't Biblical. As a matter of fact David used the harp and lyre. He even danced nearly naked (not something I practice personally) and it was pleasing to God. Others believed he was wrong but that judgement didn't seem to effect God's acceptance. I do understand that everyone doesn't like the same worship styles but that doesn't mean because you don't like it, it isn't godly.The Pope has demanded an end to electric guitars and modern music in church and a return to traditional choirs.
The Catholic Church has been experimenting with new ways of holding Mass to try to attract more people. The recital of Mass set to guitars has grown in popularity in Italy; in Spain it has been set to flamenco music; and in the United States the Electric Prunes produced a "psychedelic" album called Mass in F Minor.
However, the use of guitars and tambourines has irritated the Pope, who loves classical music. "It is possible to modernise holy music," the Pope said, at a concert conducted by Domenico Bartolucci the director of music at the Sistine Chapel. "But it should not happen outside the traditional path of Gregorian chants or sacred polyphonic choral music."
But what worries me more is GOP Vixen's analysis of Mass(sorry Bridge):
I have to say I'm with the pontiff on this one, though maybe not for the same reasons. Mass is about hard, uncomfortable pews, boring lectors and bad singing -- and everybody knows Catholics are the worst singers. I find it rather off-putting to try to turn it into a hip social event, because everything has its place -- go to Mass if you want to pray, go to Staples Center if you want a concert. The same theory with "Christian rock": In my mind, there's church music a la "Ave Maria," and there's rock music -- and I don't really care how and where rock artists worship.
This isn't a new view. I have met many who believe that mass (and church) is a time to pay your dues. A kind of attitude that if you suffer through these things, God will have to let you into heaven (because that was the deal?). I haven't found the verse that says the worse it is the better person you are or the better relationship you have with God. Maybe having a foreign experience at mass would just make it easier to leave God there. I have to say that I believe that Ave Maria is a beautiful piece. I sang part of it in junior high and I understand the jist but I don't really know what it means. Worship is the out pouring of you heart. True you do worship in ways other than song but we are commanded to "make a joyful noise" (I can't sing either). So, if your heart pours out in latin, great. Mine pours out a little different. Why would God consider mine any less?
I leave you all with something to contemplate. Worship is how you communicate love to your Lord and Savior. When I love, I love with all of me, musically as well as otherwise. Why lock God into one aspect of your musical taste and one aspect of you life as a whole. We are to continually be in prayer and communion. So if you like rock, get some with so glorifing lyrics. Spend a little time with God while you rock out. (If you are looking for recommendations, email me;)
*** A Couple of Notes
1) GOP Vixen has pointed out that this is not an official papal edict.
2) I have ammended that David danced naked. According to 2 Samuel 6:14 that he was wearing an ephod. In 2 Samuel 6:20 Michal accused David of disrobing and dancing. I was raised to mean he was in makeshift underwear. Others says it is more modest.
6 Comments:
David wasn't really naked. He was wearing something that would have covered him far more than most people in the U.S. wear in the summertime.
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Jeremy Pierce, at 10:27 AM
Pope Benedict XVI is right on target on this one. The Roman Catholic Church has the richest and most beautiful music written by real composers, such as, JS Bach, Wolfganf Mozart, Samuel Scheidt, and borrowing beautiful works by John Rutter and William Boyce.
Instead Roman Catholic are listening to (and trying to sing) works by Dan Schutte, Michael Joncas, David Haas and other BAD musicians!
Oregon Catholic Press offers a widespread collection of horrible music where the above-mentioned composers drof off their materials.
I used to work for Shawnee Press, Harold Flammer, Glorysound and Novello...publishers of real music!
A trip to a Methodist or Lutheran Church will show you proper church music. Good hymnals here and wonderful harmony!
God bless the Pontiff...he is right on the money.
John Weiss
johnweisshome@aol.com
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Alfred Kuchinski, at 2:45 PM
I simply don't think it'll happen. The Church is shoulder high in it already. The Church has given people far too much opportunity to "think for themselves" to make such an almost dictatory decision.
I lead a band at my local parish in Cape Town: rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass guitar, percussion and drums. Pretty rock-styled! I would learn to live with it if the banning of modern music would become law in the Church. I've also gotten to know many other bands in Catholic Cape Town, and I doubt very much that they will accept it. And it would be sad to see all these good, faith-practising Catholics leave the Church because of music.
Its about music at the moment, but it becomes an entire different issue if such a law is passed.
wadeseale
wadeseale@hotmail.com
By
Anonymous, at 11:32 PM
JUDGE FOR YOURSELF WHAT MUSIC THE PAPACY PROMOTES AND CONDEMNS!
OBVIOUSLY, priests love Gregorian chant. And apparently the Pope loves Mozart -- even if Mozart fled from his master-bishop in the eighteenth century and supported the Freemasons in Die Zauberflote.
In more recent times, of course, when the Spanish anarchist, and the Italian and German Jews wanted some Pope or other to condemn the Nazi hym-sheet, one could not be found: the Vatican was shtumm! Why did the Papacy never condemned this entry either in Germany, Austria or Croatia: You Tube at:
www.youtube.com
It's true, you can never find a Pope when you most want one. But that is not the current predicament. The 'swing' that the Fueher condemned is back in controversial vogue in the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI who is in a unique position to appreciate the Nazi hymn-sheet, not least because he served with the Wehrmacht and is perfectly familiar with these dulcet tones of the above marches. Now, however, he has decided to condemn Rock 'n Roll. Not having a wife or children -- that is, no one in the Vatican whose lives, customs and habits he could refer to, he must turn for guidance to colleagues who are also, unfortunately, aging men like himself -- and all of whome have, like himself, have foresworn family life. And yet they can somehow come to the conclusion (one suspects more from from deductive rather than inductive logic) that Rock 'N Roll is something to be condemned.
Presumably , the ban on Rock includes Tina Turner. If Satanism is the yardstick by which Rock 'N Roll should be condemned, then Ms Turner is surely guilty. She is positively the queen of witches -- even witchier than Queen!
So, is this rock-classic to be condoned or condemned also?
Tina Turner-The best 04:09 From: BamonRe Views: 159,145
YouTube at www.youtube.com
And what about Dvorak's waternymph? Whatever else she is , she is no christian. Waternymphs are invariably pagan; for while Christians see miracles and 'moving statues', waternymphs bay at the moon for human love. And Renee Fleming in her 'Chanson a la Lune' is every bit as hexifying as Tina Turner. Morever, the Christian has seen fit to cut out all pagan knowledge from the known world and still practises it in the third world. He has incorporated his acts of vandalism into what he calls Cannon Law -- the code of Roman priestcraft. So, having burned the heretics of Rock 'N Roll at the stake of a celibate Papacy, the chalk-loving schoolmen of the Vatican may well turn their wrath on this Waternymph -- in whose orisons be all our wishes for a religion-free world remembered :
Fleming - Dvorak 07:41 From: fernandoclassic Views: 46,670
www.youtube.com
On that basis, maybe there is one can agree on one tune that all us infallible ones love equally:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYsSWU-cnEw&feature=related
It must be truly wonderful to be Infallible! And to know what is good for everybody else!
Seamus Breathnach
www.irish-criminology.com
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Seamus Breathnach, at 3:31 PM
If Alfred really did visit a Methodist Church, he'd find that Dan Schutte's hymn, "Here I Am, Lord" is one of the most used song in the United Methodist denomination. Additionally the Papal visit will include many of these composers you list that are not good composers....
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Anonymous, at 9:43 PM
Generally comments on this particular post are obviously made without reference to what the Mass is and means to Catholics (even some Catholics themselves have no clue!)- there however are many other places where modern music has its place in the Church such as paraliturgical events and personal devotion.
The Mass itself is the only place where the pope is making a move, and since as Catholics, we believe he is our head pastor and guide, we should honour his rrequest...render to ceaser what is ceaser's and God what is His.
Self-love is by far the greater problem in our Church. If you leave a church because of music, and not because of important reasons, you should be worried.
Peace!
Jonathan (20)
By
Jonathan Lee Ching, at 11:47 PM
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