OK, This is Bugging Me and I Need Some Other Perspectives
Moms View Message Board: The Kitchen Table (Debating Board): OK, This is Bugging Me and I Need Some Other Perspectives
I went into Nathan's today (taking some time off from Nutrisystem). I had to wait quite a while as they make the food whe it is ordered.
They were playing Chrisitan Rock over the speakers in the place. Now, I am not a fan of Chrisitan rock. It made me really uneasy to have to stand there and wait and listen to some metalhead "sing" (I use the term loosely) "... nothin' but the blood of Jesus" over and over.
I am not sure why I was (and remain) so upset. That it was not my taste in music aside, I really feel it trivialized something that to me is sacred and precious. I am the kind of person that once a tune gets into my head, it replays constantly - so you can see why it's still bothering me.
It is also the first time I have walked into a public place and been bombarded (it was rather loud) with music that has such a clearly religious thrust.
Has this happend to you? Do you think the store owner/manager should be allowed to play any kind of religious music - regardless of the religion?
What are your thoughts?
Ame
Aside from the fact that I do like contemporary Christian music, in addition to reggae, 80s music, classical, jazz, rock and roll, etc., I do think it is the store owner's right and/or privilege to play whatever they want. Mexican restaurants always play Mexican music. I am not one to ascribe to middle eastern or new age philosophies and teachings, but new age music plays in the background when I get a massage. And the worst was in TX---I HATE country music and it was everywhere you went. So, if you don't like that kind of music I can understand why you were annoyed, but I do think that stores can play whatever music they want to and you can decide whether or not you want to patronize them. Personally, I would rather listen even to hard-core rap than some of the Muzak I hear. 
I have to agree with Pam. Mainly because it's the private sector i don't think they have to abide to those regulations about discriminatory practices. I don't think that would happen in your GP's or local neighbourhood office. However, that doesn't prevent that you as a costumer complains about the volume even the content of the music.
What is Nathan's?
Nathan's is a fast food chain based on a hot dog stand that began in Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY in the early 1900's.
I guess it boils down to expectations. If I go into a Mexican restaurant, I expect to hear Mexican music - right down to the Mariachi's at your table. If I go into a spa, I expect to hear New Age music - which does not identify itsef as religious because it has no lyrics. And in Texas - country music? I can't believe that.
If I go into a fast food place - I don't expect to hear something as impossible for me to ignore as what I heard. Would I have been so offended if it were just a style of music I don't like? I don't think so. I felt like someone had taken again, something precious and sacred to me and made it banal. I think I felt kind of ambushed and then trapped. It's overly dramatic, I know, but that's how I felt. If it hadn't been below 20 degrees I would have waited outside.
Yes, I have a choice not to go there now, and I don't think I'll be back. But, I didn't have a choice when I went in there tonight. If I had, I would not have gone in.
I guess I'm just overly sensitive when in comes to music.
Ame
Ame,
Just trying to understand the true sensitivity here and clear up my confusion. Is it that you don't like the fact that Christian music is being played OR that you don't like the fact that Christian lyrics are put to rock or heavy metal music?? Or both or neither? I'm a little confused as to just exactly which thing is bothering you. Thanks!
It is the private sector, so the First Amendment doesn't apply, other than to your right to tell the manager that you won't be back because you don't like their taste in music. I'm rather surprised that a fast-food place was "blaring" such specifically Christian music, but that would be the manager's choice and privilege. I am guessing it is a franchise, and the franchise operation might have some problems with it if they were aware of it, but again, that's a private sector matter.
And I do understand what you said about that kind of music, especially if it is blaring, trivializing what you hold as important and sacred. (That's how I feel about the commercialization of Christmas and Easter.) But, that's a matter of taste and, thank goodness, so far "they" haven't tried to legislate taste.
LOL Pam! Good question! In general I don't choose to listen to contemporary Christian music. I prefer mine old, very old.
I think I didn't like that something so blatantly Christian - something which had lyrics about the blood of Jesus (sung very clearly - which is rare in any contemporary music BTW) was being played in a place that I had no choice but to listen. Someplace where people were waiting for hot dogs and french fries - not Communion. Had it been some innocuous song about faith or love, it would not have even phased me. I think this was just so startling and "in my face" so to speak that I felt uneasy.
So I think it was that this song in particular, which I probably would have found distasteful anywhere, being played in a public place that bothered me.
I feel a bit better about it now that it's finally out of my head - now "Make Way for Noddy" is on an edless loop . I'll listen to Ave Verum or the Bizet Angus Dei in a little while and clear my palate - so to speak.
Ame
Yes, I have been in several places that play Christian music (not always rock and not hymns, but comtemporary Christian music). My former salon, some smaller shops, etc.
I think they have a right to play whatever they want and you have the right to complain or retract your business there if you wish. I really like all kinds of music, so there's not much that's going to bother me. My big issues is just with volume. So many places I go the music is just so darned LOUD that you can't carry on a conversation or think straight.
If my husband had to stand in a take-out restaurant and listen to opera in the background he would be nutso by the time he got home, but that's just not his preference in music. It sounds like although you're not offended by the message in the Christian music, you are put off by the style of music connected to something you find sacred.
I just wouldn't go back if it bothers you that much.
Ame,
I agree with you. Nathan's isn't a "privately owned" store, it's a national chain. Even if it's franchised, I don't think it's appropriate. If it was a Christian store, that's a different story, but in a store that serves the general public they should refrain from religous music. Then again, I am not really fond of any loud music in stores, whether I like the style or not. If it's playing, it should be a barely noticable level.
Best Buy has their music WAY TOO LOUD! I hate going in there, much like my dad. It's usually not a genre of music I would listen to anyway, even if it wasn't too loud!
Sometimes the employees pick the music and the owner isn't even around.
I'd say just don't go back. I've seen more and more places around here that seem to be trying to capitolize on people being Christians including Chiropractors, car dealers etc... It annoys me to a point because we live in the melting pot where everyone should be tolerant of all religions. Yes Christianity is the most common religious practice in the US, but like you said if it was blairing out of their radio, they probably should do something about it. What if it was the direct opposite. What if they were playing some Satan worshiping music? How then would everyone feel? It's kind of an extreem question but in my oppinion peoples religious beliefs should be something sacred between them and God, Allah, and all the rest.
Groove
Well, I can empathize with your frustration at having something you didn't like to hear in the first place running through your head all day...but, personally, I am FAR more offended by the music and clothing stores in the malls, etc. that blare songs with ENTIRELY INAPPROPRIATE LYRICS (to anyone's ears!) This was a peeve of mine while Christmas shopping for my teenagers ;)
It is true that it is the store owners right to play whatever. They just have to realize that they could potentially lose business over their decisions. I would have left. I am a Christian, but I don't care for the type of music that you described. Totally not my taste. I wouldn't have went back. They would have lost my business. I'm sure that if one person feels this way, then there are dozens of others that feel the same way. Store owners loss!
I guess I am different. I love that kind of music. It is very meaningful to me, and I LOVE the message that Church is everywhere, not just something you do on Sundays, not confined to our traditional roles.
I am not a huge music person, and make a lot of choices of where I shop and eat based on what is on the airwaves. Taht being said, now is time for you to act. If enough people quit shopping there, then they will close period. And the opposite will happen. I love the whole Chick-fil-a bit. Did you know that when they publically campaigned why they weren't open on Sunday's there sales went way up? Ours host free Christian concerts monthly (in the area), the play cont Christian music in the store and quite honestly we go there because of that. Anyway, my point is to each their own, but as consumers we get a role to encourage or discourage.
I agree with Pamt.
lol. I am sorry but I can't help but laugh. Just the lyrics you mentioned would make me loose my appetite.
LOL, Cristine! Too funny!
Ame
Any kind of loud music can be a turn-off unless you are in a bar where you would expect loud music to be played, and bars are classified by the type of music they play.
My mom complained to me that when she goes into the mall in her town, and goes into a small store inside the mall (not an anchor store, but a shop) the music is always so loud it gives her a headache.
It is geared towards the younger generations. I remember being a kid and the music was never loud ENOUGH.
As far as the music being heavy metal Christian, I see no problem with trying to reach out to non-Christians on their level. That is after all what Jesus did.
I agree with Cybermommy and Kaye on this. I don't choose to listen to this type of music all the time but I don't like the muzak that I hear through the grocery store sound system, I don't like the country music my sister listens to and I don't like the grunge rock that my dh listens to but I don't let it bother me. It wouldn't turn me off of an entire restuarant and, while I would find the resulting earworm irritating, I wouldn't give it the power to ruin the rest of my night.
Dawn, my husband stormed out of a Best Buy one day because they were playing very loud rap music. He complained to a salesperson, and has never returned to one!
Ugh, rap music. The worst kind! We were in a Best Buy just recently, for a brief time, since we needed a case for our iPod. It was as loud as I remembered, but I don't think it was rap music.
I love going into my local Christian bookstore, where they play Christian music at a nice level! In fact, it made me buy a cd, since the music playing once, was a song I had recently sung in choir, at the time! I asked the iWorship cd for my birthday, which was coming up!
I just think it's funny how some Christians think they can witness to others through crappy Christian music. There's better music out there nowadays anyway...I remember when Stryper and Michael W Smith were our only choices. Dear Lord, I'm surprised I'm not an atheist because of that!!
Maybe they just live a •••••••' time warp?
I went on a mission trip with a bunch of teens when my oldest ds was a senior in hs. The youth leader said not to bring any music that wasn't Christian. I sat down on the bus behind a young lady that had her Walkman blaring some heavy rock garbage. She was one of the lead teens for the youth group. Really good girl. I leaned over and reminded her of what the youth leader had said. She said "but it is" and started singing the words so I could understand it.
Later I was chatting witht the youth leader about it and what an old fogey I have become. His comment was that somewhere in the Bible it says something about going to all nations and being all things to all people in order to share the Lord with them. And the youth like that kind of music and can understand it. And if they are going to listen to that kind of music, then why not have an uplifting message.
Then I got to thinking, my mom liked that old Southern gospel. I can't stand it. I like contemporary Christian. She says mine is garbage and has no soul to it. My sons don't like mine and they listen to the hard rock garbage. Dd doesn't like mine. She likes her Sunday school songs cd.
So I think they have the right to play what they want to hear for their 4 to 10 hour work shift. But they should turn it down to a dull roar, please.
I would have left and I would never go back.
Make sure you never visit Chick Fil A then. They are a christian owned fast food company that play christian music on the stereo and {{{gasp}}} take Sundays off to go to church.
I don't.
I've been in Chick-Fil-A plenty of times, there music is never overbearing or obnoxious, as this store's music apparently was. The whole taking Sunday off thing is fine with me, it's their perogative.
Ame, I agree with you on this one, I like my "gospel" music old and slow, a nice hymn sung by piano
I've been to Chick-Fil-A, Melissa . As Crystal said, the music was not offensive, in fact it was a background music should be - hard to hear but enough to cover the noise of people conversing and chewing.
They may take Sundays off - but who says they go to church? (or is that a requirement for working there? If it is - then I have a problem with that) I applaud that they are willing to close and lose profit because of their beliefs.
I'm totally over it now - so it's not a big deal, but I really won't be going back there.
For some people, when they view an image that is offensive to then it stays with them - I guess most people are that way, I don't really know.
For me - a sound, a song has the same effect. Once I've heard it, it's stuck in my head and I can easily recall it. In church now, you can be sure when anyone says "the Blood of Jesus" sadly, my first thought for some time will not be a prayerful image, but an image of standing in Nathan's among hot dogs and french fries.
Ame
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