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An ethical question for you Christian musicians

Posted on 05/04/2011 10:18:14 PM PDT by LouAvul

I'm an aspiring guitarist. I like some of Led Zeppelin's music. But Jimmy Page was reputed to have ties with witchcraft and satanism.

Do you see a conflict between Christianity and learning some of their instrumental guitar riffs?

Like, Stairway to Heaven. I kind of got around the question since it's actually "Taurus" by Spirit. But there are other guitar riffs I really like but am bothered by Page's influences.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: zeppelin
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To: LouAvul

Whatever you do don’t let anybody ever know you heard this tune ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeWIMYVKbLE
John Lennon - stand by me

;o)


21 posted on 05/04/2011 11:04:34 PM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: Norm Lenhart
Think of it this way...the same dudes that sang/played some of the best gospel music ever recorded were themselves drugged up/drunks when they made music that inspired many Christians with their beauty. (Cash and Presley).

Exhibit A of that is "Farther Along" by Elvis Presley, quite possibly the finest performance of that song I've ever heard.

22 posted on 05/04/2011 11:15:47 PM PDT by re_nortex (DP...that's what I like about Texas.)
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To: LouAvul

Ask Alice Cooper.


23 posted on 05/04/2011 11:23:03 PM PDT by irishtenor (Everything in moderation, however, too much whiskey is just enough... Mark Twain)
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To: LouAvul

“There is therefore now no condemnation unto those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

Thank God for the gift of music and give Him the glory and you’re fine.

BTW, if you check out Taurus on youtube, only the first chord is the same. Dazed and Confused is another matter.


24 posted on 05/04/2011 11:27:15 PM PDT by Judges Gone Wild
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To: Norm Lenhart

It was during Page’s Aliester Crowley phase that stairway was conceived (or so the story goes). Apparently they spent a night in the Crowley mansion and he was inspired to write the song.

That is the story I’ve heard, but I could be mistaken.


25 posted on 05/04/2011 11:27:26 PM PDT by jurroppi1
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To: LouAvul

What does your mind tell you about this?


26 posted on 05/04/2011 11:34:14 PM PDT by blackd77
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To: jurroppi1

I think you’re right on that. Sounds familiar.

Actually I think he owned one of ACs houses at one time.


27 posted on 05/04/2011 11:35:06 PM PDT by Norm Lenhart
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To: LouAvul

I am pretty sure you will be fine.


28 posted on 05/04/2011 11:35:39 PM PDT by napscoordinator
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To: Judges Gone Wild

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1x125YT3hk
Dazed and Confused (Da Movie) - Free Ride


29 posted on 05/04/2011 11:36:01 PM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: LouAvul

If you are an aspiring guitarist, then what counts is your instrument, your music, and your heart connection to both.

You should learn and practice anything you hear that touches you. Copping licks off of Led Zeppelin is just a technical exercise, with no more significance that that. It is what it is, regardless of whose original lick it is.

When you finally approach mastery of your instrument, every lick and chord sequence you’ve practiced along the way will combine to produce your unique expression of what’s in your heart.

And if your heart is in glorifying God, then the music you make (including the Led Zappelin licks) will fulfill that purpose.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of my first guitar lesson. And I have found that when life gets grim and lonely, as it sometimes has, being able to sit alone and play jazz, blues, or whatever is the deepest solace I have discovered in my life. And making music with other people is the most joyful experience you can have with your clothes on.

It is a true blessing. Hope you fulfill your aspirations.


30 posted on 05/04/2011 11:39:07 PM PDT by Maceman (Obama -- he's as American as nasi goreng)
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To: Blogger

The Bible says to abstain from all appearance of evil. You may not be worshiping Satan, but why glorify the music of someone who was? Lucifer was the chief musician in Heaven. His music was part of what caused his pride and downfall. All things are lawful, but not all things are expedient. The melody may be pretty, but the roots are bad and my advice would be to stay away from it.

In that case, you really can’t listen to any music of someone who does not go to church, drinks alcohol more than they should, cheats on their wives/husbands, is not a virgin if not married, curses, cheat on their taxes, and so many other things. That is a true fact if in fact your post is accurate. So basically you should not listen to a thing. Maybe you could listen to The Jonas Brothers and Taylor Swift but that is about it.....Although Taylor we don’t know if she is truly innocent. And don’t even begin to listen to Elton John....lol.


31 posted on 05/04/2011 11:41:50 PM PDT by napscoordinator
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To: LouAvul

You should play the music. Then even if Satan gets near you, you can take him out.


32 posted on 05/04/2011 11:42:08 PM PDT by krb (Obama is a miserable failure.)
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To: LouAvul
I'm an aspiring guitarist. I like some of Led Zeppelin's music. But Jimmy Page was reputed to have ties with witchcraft and satanism.

Do you see a conflict between Christianity and learning some of their instrumental guitar riffs?


You're trying to learn from Page's virtuosity on the guitar, not his religious beliefs. What possible conflict could there be?

In general, it's hardly practical to vet every artist out there for conformance to one's own social, political and religious views. Being able to separate and appreciate their art on it's own terms, without concerning yourself with what they think about God, Obama or the best way to grow tomatoes is pretty much essential. Fortunately, it's also very easy.
33 posted on 05/04/2011 11:45:10 PM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: krb

Use A Charvel Model 5FX strung with .009 Markley Blue Steels through a cranked Marshall playing an A/power 5th chord.

This is a sound only God himself could have created ;)


34 posted on 05/04/2011 11:48:01 PM PDT by Norm Lenhart
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To: Attention Surplus Disorder

Funny but true story...While @ a bar in new Orleans the house band had a rule....No Stairway..No freebird..


35 posted on 05/04/2011 11:55:30 PM PDT by OL Hickory (Jesus and the American soldier-1 died for your soul/1 died for your freedom)
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To: LouAvul

I would look into the teaching about “meat sacrificed to idols” in the New Testament.

Ritual worship of false gods involved offering certain meats to idols that were then eaten, I guess in various homes or at a temple or I don’t know, maybe even a restaurant type situation.

Some Christians would not eat that meat. They also forbade other Christians for eating it; or pressured them about it.

The apostle Paul discusses the issue and says that a Christian can eat the meat in good conscience. He says the meat offered to the idol is nothing, because the idol is nothing (I paraphrase - I do hope you read it yourself)

However he also says don’t eat it if it offends your brother.

1st Corinthians 8

1Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

3But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

7Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

10For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.


36 posted on 05/04/2011 11:55:44 PM PDT by Persevero (We don't need Superman -- we have the Special Forces)
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To: LouAvul

already some great advice here (most of it). I don’t have time to look it up but some great advice from an early Larry Norman album. Something about the founder of the Salvation Army being trashed for playing that loud vulgar music in the streets.
who’s Larry Norman? Only the grandaddy of Christian Rock.


37 posted on 05/05/2011 12:03:53 AM PDT by vanilla swirl (We are the Patrick Henry we have been waiting for!)
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To: IamCenny; LouAvul
I don’t think playing led zepelin music would be akin to worshipping satan.

I disagree. If you only play the first few chords of "Stairway to Heaven" you will notice a burning in your fingers. If you play halfway through, your soul will be forever damaged. If you play the whole song, you will pretty much go straight to Hell.

Don't even THINK about playing it backwards.

BTW - You guys are joking, right?

38 posted on 05/05/2011 12:04:28 AM PDT by Bon mots
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To: OL Hickory

No FREEBIRD in a bar in the south?

Must have been a Yankee bar ;)


39 posted on 05/05/2011 12:05:25 AM PDT by Norm Lenhart
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To: LouAvul
But Jimmy Page was reputed to have ties with witchcraft and satanism.

Pagey was an aficionado of the early 20th century British occultist Aleister Crowley -- quite a character. Even bought his former residence on Lake Loch Ness, where Aleister used to perform some pretty wild ....ceremonies.

Want to learn a cool Page riff? Try "Out on the Tiles" from Zep III. And do it by ear, not from sheet music. Great practice.

40 posted on 05/05/2011 12:08:29 AM PDT by Mr. Mojo
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