MUSIC FOOD OR ROT FOR THE SOUL?

I checked in into rehab last week, and when it came to the stage where we introduce ourselves, I heaved in a large breath, then almost in stutters, I found courage to claim my addiction, "Hey, my name is Raphael, and I'm addicted to music." Well, there was a roar of laughter, yes there was, then everyone just stared at me and wondered why I had checked in into a rehab instead of an asylum. So, for the sake of it, I picked up my phone and blared up the mp3. We all sat there, coke addicts, bhang addicts, porn addicts, (how do you even get addicted to porn?) you name it, listening to pure classic music. Come evening, we all parted, and all the addicts I met there have been giving me calls and telling me that they have switched their varied addictions to music.

That incidence may be all made up, but as far as I am aware, music can be all you need for what you are going through.

Here's a great quote. A painter paints pictures on canvas.  But musicians paint their pictures on silence.  ~Leopold Stokowski

Music, food for the soul. It relieves, it cleanses and it is revitalising. It not only brings people together, it keeps people together. It brings ideas to mind, and cultivates them to class. For example, today when I woke up and my playlist was playing 'The Lazy Song' by Bruno Mars, I almost decided to skip job altogether.

Music has always been food to the soul. That is why we can never get to loose our radios, Ipods or mp3 players. In the past, music was actually used to even reincarnate the dead! Clearly, it seems, through music even death becomes life! Take the Aztec for example. ( The Aztec people were certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, a period referred to as the late post-classic period in Mesoamerican chronology. - whatever that means.) Music was part of life. When chidren were sent to school, music was one of the main subjects that were taught. Through music, culture was maintained, lesson were passed, life was lived.

Music was also an important element of praise. From praising Lords, Kings and men of class to praising deities and gods. David was one such man that praised his God through music, psalms, to be more precise. God himself did love music, so much, that Lucifer was given the sole role of ensuring that Heaven was constantly filled with classic music. So we all know how the story goes, Lucifer literally grew some horns so he had himself thrown from the skies, and it is from this interesting turn of events that one pastor, Papy Mpiana derives his rather intriguing idea.

This is the arguement he brings forth; Lucifer, a reject of the Heavens now dwells in Hell, and is the cause of evil. So, he uses the same power that he had in Heaven, of music, to lure his following. Therefore, he argues this generation is constantly getting bombarded by evil music, music written to lead man to do evil. That explains why there have been claims such as illuminati and satanism heralding the world of music.

The question that pops out is this, what was God's aim in creating music? It is strongly arguable that his aim was so as to make people praise Him through it. So, does this mean all other music evil? Well, frankly, I don't know. However, one thing I am almost  certain is that the kind of music we listen to today is really marred with evil and hidden intent, and in more times than not spreads the wrong kind of message.

First and foremost, some kind of lyrics leave you wondering, they contain alot of violence and foul language and so are the videos. Music loves to talk about sex, corroding the minds of young generations and probabaly contributing to a high increase in immorality.  

Secondly, this is rather surprising, Papy Mpiana, in his book, he comes up with a shocking idea, he claims that, evil in music can also be deeply embedded in the beats! This is what he says to support this idea, in Congo, where Pappy Mpiana grew up, the common lingala beat was actually used as a tool to reincarnate the dead. So, he argues that, such a beat cannot be used to sing gospel music, since the beat is itself used for ungodly reasons. Isn't that just catchy? So it means, you may not know the words but could as well be digesting poison. Similarly, it brings into context another worrying peception, that even most gospel singers could be in the business for fame and material gain. 
As much as I wouldn't want to venture into illuminati and satanism, we all know that there actually are concerns. That is why, we all need to be careful what we listen to, since as much as music is food for the soul, it could also be rot, and it could almost lead us to evil. Critically analyse the genres and the lyrics, don't be ignorant, do some research! Personally, I think of it this way, if I think something could be wrong, I avoid it, since im not compelled to it, and I can stay without it, otherwise, being part of it could be detrimental... Think of the kind of music u listen to that way.  This is because music touches that part that nothing else could. It could have adverse effects that one would never know about. Be warned.