Yes, listening to heavy metal is (often) a sin
A few weeks ago, Mr. Andrew Baca wrote an article about heavy metal and the question of whether or not Catholics can or should listen to it. In the article, Baca argued that the lyrics of heavy metal “often [encourage] listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about the human experience rather than to glorify sinful behavior.”
Mr. Baca then went on to defend songs such as “Girls, Girls, Girls,” with scandalous lyrics which constantly objectify women and contain several sexual insinuations. Asking for a “new toy,” and offering to “keep you over-employed,” among other inappropriate images, the lyrics themselves appear to indulge in sexual entertainment.
The morality and spirituality of heavy metal, and music in general, has long been subject to consideration and debate. As someone who listens to certain forms of metal, I have had multiple friends at the University of Dallas joke that it’s “all Satanic.”
But the question remains: is listening to heavy metal a sin? What music can and can’t we listen to? How ought we discern and act on what music is appropriate?
At face value, Baca’s conclusion is reasonable: “It is how one engages with the music that matters.” While there are certainly exceptions, songs which are too explicit to listen to, the Church can’t oversee the morality of every song and must leave it in some part to personal discernment.
However, considering the power that music has to influence us one way or another, Catholics should follow certain guidelines and precautions while listening to music. Baca neglects this, stating outright that “exposing oneself to themes of sexual debauchery, Satanism and violence is not necessarily sinful if consumed in moderation.”
Out of context, this statement could even be understood as a justification for pornography and ouija boards “in moderation.” But even with context, granting license to depraved music can be spiritually and morally dangerous for those who don’t properly understand such themes or the need for moderation.
Baca argues that metal music allows listeners to “experience the deeper reflections that art offers.”It is true that art attempts to illustrate goodness, truth and beauty in a way that encourages reflection. But while music is an art form, it is unique in how it influences us emotionally.
Consider how easy it is to get swept up by a song’s tone– how we can feel and relate to different songs.In a way, music draws on human empathy.
In particular, metal music, opposing tradition both lyrically and sonally, effectively encourages a form of indulgence, at least in the music itself.
Even if listeners aren’t being inspired to outright Satanism, at best they are being numbed to the gravity of such themes as they are becoming lost in the musical experience.
Baca at one point compares heavy metal to Dante or Shakespeare in addressing darker themes of human nature, sin and the demonic. However, Shakespeare was Christian, and Dante was Catholic; both were careful in offering faithful, sober depictions of Hell and human sin.
Conversely, Steve Harris, whose seemingly demonic nightmare inspired the song “The Number of the Beast” is an atheist. Similarly, many heavy metal artists who use Satanic and depraved imagery are atheist, agnostic or broadly non-Christian.
In most cases, the artists singing about such serious themes have no attachment to the Church, or even to Christianity. At worst, these artists mock and satirize serious Christian realities; at best, they offer a worldly, secular view of the spiritual, one which neglects the dangers within the supernatural realm.
One may then compare metal to pagan art, and again I would remind them that music uniquely immerses the listener in the experience. I would then ask: would you willingly follow Virgil through Hell if God was not directing the journey?
This is not to say that pagan art on its own is bad. After all, we’ve all presumably read Homer and Virgil. However, we risk influencing ourselves spiritually by carelessly immersing ourselves in secular or pagan culture, which is exactly what one often does when listening to metal.
In many cases, the careless use of Christian and Satanic imagery meets the Catholic Dictionary’s definition for blasphemy:“Speaking against God in a contemptuous, scornful, or abusive manner.” To willingly engage in such blasphemy is innately sinful.
My point is not to prescribe exactly what music we can and can’t listen to. As Catholics, we should have an understanding of the truth, and, as stated earlier, we do need to discern for ourselves how to confront such themes.
However, there are objective standards of morality which we can and should follow when listening to music; otherwise, we risk exposing ourselves to a potentially corrupting influence.