In class, we’ve talked about the pros and cons of demonstrating religion in television and film and how it can influence the audiences’ outlook and opinion of that certain religion. There are countless examples of how that plays true in music as well. Through music, like television and film, we can find connections to emotions inside of us that we wouldn’t necessarily express with others freely. Our emotions play heavily on music and vice versa. How many times when we are upset do we turn to a hard rock song to get out that anger, and then afterwards we suddenly feel better? Musicians understand this as well as we do and for that reason, there are times when some of them use this power to influence us in one way or another. In an essence, through these examples that I’ll use, these musicians are spreading a gospel message in one way or another by promoting a certain religion’s beliefs or causing the audience to evaluate that religion and the things that they believe in.
A More Serious Promotion
The first example is of solid Christian beliefs of charity, love and giving back. Now there are countless examples of Christianity undertones in music, especially country music. This video is from American Idol’s Give Back Charity Concert raising money to help children and families in need throughout the U.S. and the rest of the world. Carrie Underwood performs George Michael’s “Praying for Time”.
How do you feel after hearing this song? Do you feel you need to become more Christlike and give back to those in need? Do you think that after viewers listened to this song and other songs performed that night, that they called in and donated money to American Idol Give Back?
The second example is the song, “Legalize It,” by Bob Marley who was a member of the Rastafarian faith. Rastafarians believe deeply in the use of cannabis or marijuana as a part of their religious, spiritual life. Anyone that has visited the Caribbean will see that this faith is very prominent and many people believe that Bob Marley was a prophet, promoting the Rastafarian faith.
How do you think this song empowers Rastafarians? And for those that listened to Bob Marley when he performed it, do you think that their opinion changed on the use of marijuana?
A Little Less Serious Promotion
Now, let’s think about how other religions have been promoted in a less-serious way. Here are two examples: Adam Sandler’s, “Hanukkah Song” about the Jewish faith and Weird Al Yankovich’s parody, “Amish Paradise,” about the Amish or Mennonite faith.
Now after seeing this video by Adam Sandler, who wouldn’t want to be Jewish? Adam Sandler’s saying that after all these decades before of WWII, Civil Rights Movement, etc., it’s cool to be Jewish. Weird Al Yankovich’s parody of the Amish faith raises questions for the audience about this faith, that maybe they had never heard about. Isn’t that a form of publicity for that religion?
So my friends, what do we think about all of this? Do you believe that it is morally correct to play on emotions to promote causes, such as Idol Give Back and legalizing marijuana?
AND…do you believe that by spoofing religion is a good way to promote that religion?
Okay…have fun…Discuss!
Emily Borders
P.S. Not part of the blog…but it is interesting how Jack Black portrays Catholicism and just I LOVE this song! Nacho Libre’s Encarnación:
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Interesting questions. I think music is the most personal of mediums. I'm sure most people agree with me, that it's easier to connect with music than film or television. Because of this I think that music is one of the best ways to share religion. With music, it's an expression of someones feelings and thoughts. I think it's something you can't really deny people (like a testimony).
ReplyDeleteI do think it's OK to play the emotions of a song to promote a cause because no one can deny you your thoughts, but it doesn't mean that it's really going to end up changing things. I do think it's great to use music to inspire people to do good (example of the Idol Give Back). I think Bob Marley had the right to express his feelings about legalizing marijuana, but I don't agree that it should be legalized.
I think it's interesting to see Adam Sandler spoof his own religion. The Hanukkah song is really popular, and for some people that might be the extent they know about Judaism. I don't think the song puts Jews in a bad light and Jews might relate to it, possibly because Sandler is a Jew. As Mormon's we have our own spoofs (Everclean?).
I do think spoofing can get into a gray area when people poke fun at other religions. It's funny when we make fun of ourselves, but when others poke fun at us sometimes it's not funny anymore.
When people are confronted with decisions, several tools, knowledge, emotion, etc., are used to make those decisions. When music is in front of that message, the use of those tools is often delayed or disregarded entirely.
ReplyDeleteMusical messages have advantages that spoken messages do not have. Firstly, when people listen to a song for the first time, the lyrics may be difficult to understand, but if you like the sound, you’ll probably stop the next time you hear it on the radio and listen to it again, not really sure of the lyrics. By the time you finally figure the lyrics out, it’s too late, you already know it too well to ignore it.
Secondly, music gets stuck in your head so easily. Hearing a song once or twice can cause looping to occur, even when the song is disliked by the listener. Thirdly, music, especially controversial music, is often rationalized by popular phrases like, “it’s just a song.” This expression can be applied to many harmful and controversial media: books, movies, etc.
With all of the advantages that music has over other forms of communication, it could be argued that using music to encourage someone to change their position is wrong because it is so contagious and repetitive.
In some aspects relating to music and religion, I accept the idea that "any press is good press." Part of me feels that a reference to a religion in a comedic setting such as a Weird Al song should not only be taken as purely entertainment, but also urge interested listeners to find the truth about such a religion. I know that when I hear the song "Amish Paradise" I was interested in the Amish and what they are all about, having no previous knowledge of the religion. In this way, it was good for the Amish religion because it urged me to find out more about their beliefs.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, there are those who hear comedic references and accept them as containing some truth, thus shaping their perspective on a certain religion or idea. It seems odd to me that this could be the case but I have seen it. Aware of this possibility, there are those who could say that comedic references to religion are not good.
I'm commenting on this blog only because of the Jack Black scene. No, but seriosly I completely agree that because emotion is so closely tied in with what we listen to, we can see that religion and music correlate.
ReplyDeleteCountry music, for example, has set a standard of what "America" is about. This entails, freedom, religion, love, and of course alcohol. Anytime we hear a country song there will be some type of religion in there. I also believe that music artists, just like movie producers, explain their faith in their music. I can't remember if this was said in the blog, but I'm pretty sure Adam Sandler is Jewish and that is why he did that song.
Music is a wonderful way of expressing oneself, and I believe the reason why most musicians implement religion into their music is because that is who they are.
First of all, I could never be a songwriter because I'm just not a very emotional person. For this same reason I'm not a very good salesman. These songs that have been written (the ones by Marley and Underwood) are full of emotion and feeling. That's what makes us want to listen to them and what endears us to the music and the musician. I think they have every right to use music as a means of spreading a cause or trying to influence others in something they believe in.
ReplyDeleteAs far as spoofing religion goes, I think the biggest problem with that is that people can simply get the wrong impression about the religion. For most people, Weird Al's song is probably the main source of people's knowlege about Amish people. And what if he portrays them in a way that isn't true to their beliefs and ideals? The same thing goes for Adam Sandler. While making fun of or making parodies about religion can help spread awareness, it may also lead to the spread of misinformation.
With regards to the questions being asked under the video of Carrie Underwood; I now that many people called in and donated millions of dollars because of the messages being taught through music. I am reminded of the donations that occured after 9/11, Jerry Lewis's annual telethon, and just last weeks "Stand up to Cancer." When we are reminded of the basic needs others have in this world we feel compassion and in this case reach for the phone with our credit card numbers in hand. I even felt gilty by the line she sung saying, "The rich see themselves as poor." I classify myself as being poor because I don't own my home and am still in school. However, we all have been blessed with more then we realise when we see people die of dirty water and starvation. It is easy to compare ourselves to Bill Gates or Warren Buffet and think we are also poor and therefore do nothing.
ReplyDeleteThe song sends the message that we can all make a difference and it does make me question how I can be more Christ like.