Worship Jams and Other Crap

[Conveyor Belt]

So, I'm watching the cartoons this morning with my son, and on comes this commercial for "Worship Jams 2". These are pop Christian songs re-sung by younger children for children. I have a HUGE problem with this. I know it won't happen, but what if it were songs praising Allah or Baphomet? Would you dismiss it easily? The honest answer is probably no.

Anyway, that being said, I've got a problem in general with them putting out albums with children singing songs with meanings way beyond their years. From the "Kidz Bop" series, they sing songs about feeling certain ways when people touch them (sexual), etc. I know that kids listen to the the music available, which is mostly put out by adults for adults. However, do they have to put out albums of children singing these songs? It just rubs me the wrong way, I guess. Maybe I'm the only one.

[Conveyor Belt]

By "beyond their years" I wasn't only talking about religion, but other pop songs ala Christina and Britney, or NSYNC, Green Day, etc. that sound okay, but are really adult themed. It makes my skin crawl when they push sexuality onto younger children.

For example, take this year's American Idol performance by Paris when she was "booty poppin" to a Beyonce' song. That was so wrong to me, but what was worse was her mother being so proud that her daughter was doing that on stage.

We'll just have to agree to disagree on the whole "brainwashing" issue. I don't think the average 11 year old could carry on a philisophical or historical debate about Christianity, but they're singing songs about how much they love Jesus. All they know is what their parents have taught them. They believe in Jesus because their parents have told them that's what's what. I can guarantee you that an 20 year old singing Amazing Grace thinks differently of the song than an 8 year old. The 8 year old cannot grasp the idea of the words. Sure, they can repeat what they've been told, but until they live and have "trials and tribulations", they are just playing along.

[Conveyor Belt]

But, I think you'll agree, that we hope our children take the best of what we teach with them as they grow older. If we didn't hope that, we wouldn't waste our time trying to teach our values and beliefs - even though we know they will reach an age of adult choice and determining their own beliefs.

Yeah, I think I'd wonder where I went wrong if my kid went to church... LOL! I know that I disappoint my mother in my beliefs. I think she's come to accept me more in the past few years. I know a lot of it changed for my mother when I finally married my wife instead of "living" with her.


Just out of curiosity, I know that your son is very young now, but as he grows and is exposed to more Christian beliefs through his friends at school, etc., will that be difficult for you? Until he reaches an age that he can understand open discussion about these kinds of issues, will you teach him any kind of religious belief? (I know you've mentioned other 'religious' beliefs that you are interested in.) If he wants to attend church with his friends to find out what Christians believe, do you think you will allow him to do so? If he decides to become a Christian, will this be a problem for you? If he raises your grandchildren as Christians, how will you respond? I'm sure these are all things you've thought about yourself.

No, you're not prying, or if you are, I don't mind. I don't have many secrets because it just makes life easier. You always know who I am and where I stand.

My wife and I are trying our best to teach objectivity to a 4 year old. That's almost impossible. What makes it even harder is her parents, who are very moral people but are not scripture quoting Christians. They believe in God as a being and in heaven. His grandfather (Papa) has told him about God, etc. He worships his Papa and takes everything he says as fact. A few weeks ago our son said something about God, and we had a small discussion about how that's how some people believe but not everyone and not Mamma and Daddy. I want him to make up his own mind, but I also want him to make it without peer pressure. We're not going to allow certain activities pertaining to religion until he's of a certain age, still undetermined.

I think it's okay to let him follow his Papa's religious outlook because it's not strictly Christian, which makes it easier for him to remain objective as he's able to form his own thoughts about life. It's certainly easier to let him believe in God because it keeps him under the radar with other kids who are cruel and will quickly disassociate themselves with someone who's different, not to mention the parents telling their kids not to play with him.

It's a delicate matter, that's for sure. It would be so much easier to just say "Yea! Jesus! Whoo-hooo!" and go to church with the other 80% of Petal, but I just can't do it. I know some people have said it's easier to be non Christian, but they really don't know... It would be easier for me to just follow along with everyone else. It would be easier for my son.

I remember at USM there was this guy in our Pagan group who's mother had raised him in Wicca. That was so weird for me, because I was raised Christian and I couldn't imagine anyone older than 30 being a pagan. No one wants their kid to be an outcast, but I remember the way non Christians were treated in school. Children can be a cruel bunch, and I don't want the subject of their cruelty to be my son. I remember religion being a discussion topic at lunch as early as 4th grade. The baptist kids were ganging up on the one Jahovah's Witness kid. They were saying the Jahovah's Witness kid was wrong and was going to Hell. Where did that come from? I'm pretty sure the kids didn't think it up on their own, but were taught that at home or at church. Church's teach elitism in religion (one sect being right while all others are wrong). Kids bring it to school, and teachers (mostly Baptist) aren't much help.

[TRV25]

By "beyond their years" I wasn't only talking about religion, but other pop songs ala Christina and Britney, or NSYNC, Green Day, etc. that sound okay, but are really adult themed. It makes my skin crawl when they push sexuality onto younger children.

For example, take this year's American Idol performance by Paris when she was "booty poppin" to a Beyonce' song. That was so wrong to me, but what was worse was her mother being so proud that her daughter was doing that on stage.

We'll just have to agree to disagree on the whole "brainwashing" issue. I don't think the average 11 year old could carry on a philisophical or historical debate about Christianity, but they're singing songs about how much they love Jesus. All they know is what their parents have taught them. They believe in Jesus because their parents have told them that's what's what. I can guarantee you that an 20 year old singing Amazing Grace thinks differently of the song than an 8 year old. The 8 year old cannot grasp the idea of the words. Sure, they can repeat what they've been told, but until they live and have "trials and tribulations", they are just playing along.

I agree that it is gross when they put kids voices to those sexually suggestive songs. But I think it's great when it they make cd's with kids singing worship songs.

I understand what your saying- I mean- it's true that young children may not be able to carry on a theological conversation with someone about their faith. But I mean- Jesus said to have faith like a child. I became a christian at 12 years old and looking back, there are many things I didn't understand. I didn't undersand just how much God loves us. I didn't understand that being a christian was more than saying a prayer and getting dunked in water- but a lifestyle change that was purposed to honor God. I didn't understand just how much I am in need of God. Gosh- there are so many things that i didn't fully grasp and there are STILL so many things that I don't fully grasp. But I don't look back and think that my faith wasn't real. It was there. God began that work in me and slowly, the longer I know Him, He has enabled me to see and understand even more about my faith.

I personally know a little girl who is 7 years old and she understands more about her faith in God than I think alot of adults do. When I used to babysit her she would ask if we could pray before she went to bed and she would pray things like, 'God, please help me have pure thoughts.' 'Please help me be kind to others at school that pick on me and show them your love that is in me.' 'Please help me share what you've done in my life to my best friend (who was not a christian). I was amazed that at that age a kid could talk to God like that and 'get' her faith. Ofcourse that is unique- I don't think most kids get it that young. But she certainly did. Anyways-

those are just some of my thoughts. I always enjoy reading your posts and hearing a different perspective. :)