coptichymns.net - Sharing the Joy of Coptic Hymns Around the World

Katherine

posted on Mar 08, 2008 - 07:06 PM

I haven't been following this little debate that's been going on (mostly because I feel a lot of it is off topic) but yesterday Anba Angelos was giving a talk at our church and he said something that I think might be useful to tonyhabibi's original question.

This is paraphrased, but this is what Anba Angelos basically said in response to somebody's question related to secular music/movies

"Music isn't bad because it's music, or a movie isn't bad because it's a movie....these things are bad if they are used in a way to take you away from God, even for a moment"


So tonyhabibi, if I understand the Bishop correctly, I would apply these words to your situation as thus: when these cymbal things are used in an atmosphere that would take people away from God, then they are bad. If they are used in a hymn, they are definately bringing people closer to God, therefore they seem all right.

God bless,

Katherine

Joined: Apr 27, 2006 | Posts: 54
Location: Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius, Mississauga

Truth.Seeker

posted on Mar 08, 2008 - 07:43 PM

I think the debate went to the heart of the issue: if the Holy Spirit puts a "stamp" on whatever we choose the tunes to be, then that'd make belly dancing music with hymns "holy." At which point, all tunes are "fine." (Why I disagreed with ophadeece).

That's why my standard is, "tunes of hymns shouldn't make you want to dance." H.G. Bishop Angaelos put it much more eloquently of course.

I disagree with you...

You said: "when these cymbal things are used in an atmosphere that would take people away from God, then they are bad. If they are used in a hymn, they are definately bringing people closer to God, therefore they seem all right."

If that is the standard, then it's not about the music, it's about what the music is used for (which means nothing). Let me illustrate: techno used in a hymn would be good. Well, no. I think H.G.'s point was that "techno" in itself is not bad, but what it makes you want to do is bad. So, if techno makes you want to go wild, it's bad whether used in a hymn or at a club.

My point is that the music's spirituality determines the atmosphere, it doesn't take its spirituality from the atmosphere.

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A. S.

Joined: Feb 25, 2008 | Posts: 320

Katherine

posted on Mar 08, 2008 - 10:31 PM

Last time I'm going to post on this subject, simply because I have essays and debates and a million other things to do.

Truth.Seeker, let's not exaggerate my point. Obviously, I am not saying that some techno beat that people grind up on each other to at a club is suitable for a hymn. Tonyhabibi is talking about a little cymbal, which will be used in the background to add onto the already established tune of the hymn. Which means his question essentially is "Is it okay to use an instrument other than the standard ones used in the past for a hymns recording?"

From what I understood from the original post-and I'm only discussing this original post so as to avoid going off on a million tangent- the hymn's tune is not being altered in any way.If we are completely changing the tune of a hymn, that's a whole different story and a whole different ball-game that requires a completely different discussion than the one put at hand here.

Joined: Apr 27, 2006 | Posts: 54
Location: Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius, Mississauga

Truth.Seeker

posted on Mar 08, 2008 - 10:43 PM

I didn't exaggerate your point, you didn't limit your point.

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A. S.

Joined: Feb 25, 2008 | Posts: 320