May I please have some thoughts on the following testimonials?  Thanks and God Bless!

http://www.av1611.org/crock/crockids.html

Bad imitations methinks.

The reason why I am asking is because I have found these to be fake.  Others I have showed these to have also felt the same.  My opinion of these testimonials is that they seem to me made up for an angenda of those who are against Christians making rock music.  I wanted to see of anyone else got that impression.  I read through each testimonial and they just do not seem real.  

For example:

"I listened to rock music for about four years and it was not 'Christian rock' because I always thought it was so hypocritical to listen to Christian rock. At least I was honest about it and I did not pretend to be somebody I wasn't.

"So, after the first couple of times I was already addicted to it. The reason I started is because everybody always thought I was, 'goody-goody.' They would say, 'Hey, did you hear that song?' or 'Have you ever heard this group?' I would say, 'No, I don't listen to rock.' "I began by listening to 'soft rock' and progressed to heavy metal. It really had a strong effect on my life. Now my church plays 'Christian rock' and I see it ruining many kids in our youth group. It is so sad. It has ruined kids that were so sweet."

A Sixteen-Year-Old Student From Texas


No sixteen year old that I know of talks like this.  Also, not one mention of a band or artist is listed.  It would seem like they would be.  Just the way they are written and the same words (such as sensual, lustful, hard rock, soft rock, etc.) that are often used, make this seem fishy to me.  if you read all of these, you will notice that a lot of the younger people seem to be speaking with a rather higher grammar level for their age.  Thus why I believe these have been made up by an adult or someone much more advanced in their grammar.  But, if these are indeed real and Christian Rock really has that affect on them, they need more of Jesus! 

Also this one from a 15 year old:

"I was following the Lord wholeheartedly until we switched churches and I was invited to the new youth group. I had a conviction against rock music, but as I was surrounded by it, my beliefs were corrupted. This music eventually led to rebellion and moral failures. The Lord has gained victory in my life now, but the music still brings on rebellion if I listen to it. Please get rid of this music and play melodious, harmonious music!"

A Fifteen-Year-Old Student From Pennsylvania

Most 15 year olds I know have never talked like that.  How many 15 year olds say the words "melodious, harmonious"?  Or, how many 15 year olds say things such as "I had a conviction against rock music, but as I was surrounded by it, my beliefs were corrupted. This music eventually led to rebellion and moral failures."?  I quite frankly think someone made these up for their own agendas.


Some others that get me:

"For many years I listened to 'Christian rock' and excused it because I was not listening to secular rock. I loved going to concerts and enjoying myself. Then I went to one 'Christian rock' concert, and one of the lead singers was dressed in a tank top and tight jeans. I was not sure what to do. I knew it was wrong, but I stayed anyway. When I got home my mom saw one of the pamphlets. She was shocked and said, "No more 'Christian rock'!" I was forced to obey, but later chose to obey, seeing how wrong the music was."

A Fifteen-Year-Old Student From Texas

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"When I began listening to 'Christian rock' my personal devotions were almost nonexistent. 'Christian rock' deafened my Christian 'immune system' (conscience) to rock music. When I listened to this music, I would fall away from and rebel against my parents.

"'Christian rock,' in my opinion, distorts hymns. I can remember a 'Christian rock' beat to most of the hymns I have sung. I strongly encourage not getting into this music."

A Seventeen-Year-Old Student From Missouri

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"'Christian rock' was a big part of my life about six months ago. It totally consumed me. I lived in the bondage of this music and the bondage of the music of my friends' preference, which was not very good either, to say the least. I realized that this ungodly music did not glorify God and never will.

"The main things I learned this week are that we as Christians do not take drugs to witness to drug users, and we do not convert to worldly habits to identify with the world. So I saw no reason to use worldly music with Christian words so that I could minister to the world!"

A Seventeen-Year-Old Student From California

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"When I started listening to 'Christian rock' I slowly started to listen to just regular worldly rock (soft rock). Then I was listening to something harder and harder. It not only led me into worldly rock, but I was getting rebellious toward my parents, and I was having sensual and lustful thoughts. I also could not memorize or read God's Word and understand it or retain it.

A Fifteen-Year-Old Student From Nebraska

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"'Christian rock' has damaged my life in two ways. First, it ruined my Christian witness. The addictive beat and tempo were very hard for me to conquer. When I went to a friend's house, instead of being two friends together talking we would sit in his room and do nothing except allow the music to flow through us. Second, the beat and words are still a part of my life. Many times as I was listening to 'Christian rock,' my mind would go to the words of secular rock. Even now, after destroying all this wrong music and committing myself to God's music, I still have a rebellious attitude well up inside me. This will be a very hard habit to break."

A Sixteen-Year-Old Student From Michigan

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"When I started listening to music I listened to 'Christian rock.' What got me into this was my friend who accidentally left a tape behind. I picked it up and listened to it. I was immediately hooked and listened to it constantly. About two weeks later I started listening to 'rock and roll.' I knew I shouldn't have listened, but I was hooked. I became rebellious toward authority and stole a Walkman" from my dad. I then became a stumbling block to other Christians and made them fall into the same sin. I knew I had to give up this music, so I purposed to. I told my dad and asked him to hold me accountable. Since that time I have been freed from this wicked sin and I feel great now."

A Seventeen-Year-Old Student From Florida

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I have been struggling with a moral failure. After a time of defeat, I noticed that these devastating failures were coming after or during listening to 'soft rock' or 'Christian rock' music.

I now realize that I had seared my conscience in the area of music. The destructive rhythms bring a sensual awakening inside of me and this leads to alessening of inhibitions. Since asking for God's forgiveness and healing, becoming accountable to my parents, and removing these evil influences, I have experienced amazing victory and freedom!

"However, I still feel the danger in 'Christian rock' and its pull on my spirit. I wish every person would take this matter seriously because so much damage has been done to me. Consequences and scars remain that would have never happened if only I had been more alert to the dangers."

A Twenty-Year-Old Student From Texas

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I began to listen to 'Christian rock' without the blessing of my father. He told me that if I listened to 'Christian rock' it would open the door for Satan. I just laughed, and listened anyway. It totally deadened my Christian growth and led to terrible immorality, rebellion, and rejection of God. It then developed into secular, hard rock. Now all I can do is go back and pick up the pieces. But I still have a scar in my life that will never be removed."

A Sixteen-Year-Old Student From Oklahoma

I like music where I can understand the words as well.

I agree..... to a point.  I believe that there is a lot of 'Christian Rock' bands out there who are trying to copy the world, but not all Christian Rock artists are that way.  Sure, they may try and make the music comparable to secular in regards of quality while maintaining deep Christian, Jesus loving lyrics.  I can list many Christian Rock bands that praise Jesus with their lyrics. 

I would also say that a lot of "Christian" bands don't claim to be a Christian band.  There are a lot of Christians who are in a band, but not necessarily using their music to preach the word.  But that doesn't automatically mean they do not preach aside from their music.  I do not think that music itself was created to preach the word of God.  Of course, there certainly isn't anything wrong with it either, so long as the lyrics glorify God and present the Gospel in a Biblical like fashion.

As to the testimonies of the damage caused by Christian Rock, I believe these testimonials were made up by a Fundamental Baptist organization.  I had posted in a previous thread as to why I believe this to be so.  Even if they were real, that does not mean that it has the same affect on everyone.  Christian Rock has never damaged my soul.  In fact, the lyrics help me to stay focused on God.

No problem Bro!

God Bless!

Sorry sis   I am only 31 though.  You are 35, right?