Featured "This Is Why Switchfoot Won’t Sing Christian Songs Anymore"

I bet you can't name enough to use up one handful of fingers.

Can you name even one?

What is a "shame" is people who make generalizations without knowing any real facts.

I'm sorry to take you to task, RD2, but you make it sound like a Christian band or singer drops out of the genre every day. Other than Brittany Spears, who doesn't appear, in hindsight, to have been a true sold-out Christian anyway, I can't think of anyone who "dropped out" as you claim.

 

Aww. I tried to take you up on your challenge, but can only come up with two names. Katy Perry and Elvis. Not the handful of fingers I was looking for.

On the other hand, a few country gospel singers started out country and switched to gospel.

 

Well, you did answer the second question with more than the one I asked for, so technically you win. But then, you're not RD2! :laugh: :thumbsup:

That's true. Wonder why no one started a thread about them?

(PS: Don't know much about her, but think I would classify Katy alongside Brittany.)

 

I don't know much about Katy Perry, other than she grew up in church, literally prayed as a teenager that God would bless her anatomically, and release a Christian album before she became big name.

 

Nothing to be SORRY for....

.....here is one link that will open your eyes. I suggest you spend your time reading the entirity of the link, as it will rock your world with names of individuals and groups that double dip, sing for Jesus and the world.

I happen to know what I am talking about, but you have every right to challenge what I say, that is your God given right!

ENJOY [Oh, if you want to issue an apology when finished, that would be nice, but not expected, I know you too]: http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils in America/CCM/christian_rock_bottom.htm

If the crow hasn't filled you up yet, here are 11 more groups to feast upon: http://www.buzzfeed.com/perpetua/bands-you-might-not-realize-are-christian

Of course, drop out per you versus my view may differ greatly, but I am saying that a group who goes both ways, is no longer a group for Jesus any more than a preacher who speaks on Sunday for the Lord, and does secular comedy stand up during the week!

But I did my part ... I hope I helped to open your eyes. The question may remain, would you and your church bring any of these groups to your church for a concert? And my answer is, as a pastor, I wouldn't when there are tons of groups that sing solely for the Lord, and do not go out and make a living off the secular gate to make more money!

Most of the groups in the first link have appeared on Jay Leno at one time or another, and I was greatly disappointed in the songs and lyrics they chose to perform, especially since they professed to be Christian! :tear: I try to make it my business to know the groups that sing for Jesus, and those who sing for either! As much as I believe that there is a difference; I also believe, BELIEVE that I know how you will answer!

After all, if you can poke fun at my expense, you will surely find an argument in your logic to keep from losing FACE! But I equate these cross-over artists to the following cartoon:

 

Tell me....

....is this Christ like? Is this what Jesus would do? I dont think so ... You're welcome to challenge me TND, but to poke fun at me ... or to make a joke at my expense! I have to question where you are coming from?

 

That may be fine

But Jesus did call us to be separated from the world .... the saly of the world ... the beacon .... and when we begin to mix our witness and name in with the world, it waters down that witness! When Wsitchfoot appears at a secualr event where beer is sold, and drugs are eing used, what does that say about the teaching of the Word.

If you can do that, fine...I don't expect anyone on this board to believe as me. After all, you can see by some of my posts that I have drawn ire, or at least concerns! But, coming froma person who once mixed the world with my walk, I came to the place where the line became blurred, and soon my witness was questionable too!

So, being a Christian artist means some sacrifice. We read in John 6:66 "As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" We see that when He told them to be all the way with Him or to turn back, we see a arge number turn away and go back!

Being a follower has it's costs! That is all I can say! What you do Qd with that calling out is clearly your choice. I can't impose my beliefs on you or anyone else! Gob bless!

 

Again ...

.... that is certainly up to you, and I meant it when I said I couldn't [which means I WOULDN'T] impose my beliefs on you! You have to do what you feel is best for you, and like with me and my beliefs on some of the gifts, the final response will not come from man, but rather God!

I can see where art may differ from singing. I once tried to live with feet straddling the fence, and for me, it became a blurred line, and it hurt my testimony!

I had two guys in my Christian band, who I knew played country music to supplement their incomes. And I saw no problem with it, that is until one night during an alter call, only two young ladies came forward. When I asked if there was anything I could pray for they told me they didnt care about prayer, they just wanted to talk to Randy [my lead guitarist] who they had seen, and mind you, "loved" during his sets at several local country bars!

Apparently, they had seen him numerous times, and never had the chance to talk with him. So, they felt this was the perfect opportunity to get up and personal with him! In the words of the brunette, "They thought he had a nice, tight body!"

From that incident, I issued the guys an ultimatum, and they left the group! I saw from that incident that splitting time between the church, and the world had its negative repercussions!

Let me also say, that prior to our church concerts, the two guys could be seen smoking out back of the church! Lucky for me, they were never observed doing this, even though the did have nicotine smells on their clothing!

There was also the story of a Christian comedian named Mike Warnke. He hurt his own witness when a disenchanted member of his crew went public about the wild, alcohol and drug parties Mike and staff held back at the hotel room following his concerts!

Eventually, when you are a performer, the world catches up with you! I don't see that happening in the life of an artist, but performers are different, and they only need one incident to hurt their testimony!

As an author, I can't stop who buys my books and where they are sold. But, I was fired by my publisher last year, for calling into question the fact that they let their president stay in place , even after he was arrested and waiting for trial for moloesting his adopted daughter for ten years! He is now in prison, and the publisher went bankrupt. This was WinePress, a major Christian publisher, and they fired me for calling them on the carpet for leaving this guy in charge of the company! BTW - I called them into question once I was told by a reader about the scandal! Word get around, and we have to make a stand!

 

All these things you are mentioning have nothing to do with a christian playing at secular venues. All of these things are heart problems they have. They are poor examples of a Christian, but their actions are not a result of playing secular.

 

So, without Christ, what exactly is it that they're trying to "reach people" for? What people? For what purpose?

Don't get me wrong, about 90% of the music I listen to is secular and, even on a good day, I wouldn't listen to CCM if you put a gun to my head.

But I hate this "we're 'reaching' somebody for something, somehow", but we don't know who, what, or how nonsense.

I would have so much more respect for them if they just said "We're a secular pop band that sings songs with positive messages" than the Emergent nonsense the guy is spouting in the article.

 

What's the difference?

For what purpose?

 

It was posted to point out that someone else answered a question addressed to you. That's not poking fun at anyone. Not sure why you're so thin-skinned that you think every time I reference you I'm chastising you or denigrating your or your viewpoint, but unless I say "I'm chastising or correcting you," anything I say to you is as a brother in Christ. That's exactly what I said at the end of the post in which I asked the question of you that Woody answered. If I've said anything that indicates otherwise, I'm sorry. It was not my intent.

 

Dropping the name of Christ to "reach more people."

I'm awed. Simply awed.

 

Accepted....

Actually, I do have a problem with extremely thin skin on the hands and arms! Many bruises. Maybe this physical problem carries into the emotional, don't know, but I thank you for the apology! I gained a new respect for you! Not many on this board are willing to say "I'm sorry!" :thumbs:

 

Can't say that I ...

..... disagree with your observation :thumbs:

 

No, I'm serious. I'm just floored by the brilliance and the intellectual and spiritual depth of the concept.

Thank God for Switchfoot and their absolute perseverance in the face of the fierce Christian hypocrisy. The Apostles would be casting their crowns at the feet of Switchfoot, but there's already a group by that name.