The Death of Rock (and good music in general)
I have come to a realization: There is no good music being played on the radio these days. Good music ended in the 90's. Not to say that there aren't talented groups out there and that all music today sucks, but just saying that for the most part, the people who are getting all of the attention aren't going to be remembered after they are done. Not like Elvis or Van Halen or even the Smashing Pumpkins are going to be remembered. The problem is that all the music sounds the same, and no one is making music that really speaks to anyone for a lasting amount of time. Have you noticed that there are no songs that are longer than 4 minutes playing on the radio? and if there are longer songs, they are cut down and split up. People are making music for the A.D.D. generation. They are also trying to get more and more interest from the mainstream crowd at the cost of alienating their long-time fans. If you want to do something new, fine, but don't forget who your first fans were. don't get out of touch with them, because they have helped make you. There are also no love songs anymore. At risk of sounding feminine, this disturbs me. There have been so many rock songs that address love, but no more. It's all about the sex now. and that disappoints me. SO, if you are starting a band, in a band, or involved in any way with music, please, Please,PLEASE stay true to your fans, be different, don't be what the record label wants you to be. and maybe, just maybe, future generations will know what good music is.
Random Fact: In a recent poll, 86% of people asked said that they could have a meaningful relationship with God without religion.
Let's face it, people. Religion is losing ground in the battle for people's minds. Between thinking about which two-faced politician promising the moon will run the country the best, and keeping track of which celebrity is in rehab this week, there really isn't much room left to contemplate whose god is real and whose peaceful, all -loving god is really commanding them to kill the infidels. People are becoming increasingly disenchanted with organized religion amid the Catholic sex scandals and the religious wars overseas and right here at home. Who's to say that they're right? who's to say they're wrong? Why do we feel the need to separate and divide into groups to constantly bicker over the (I use this term very loosely) "right" religion? Why can't they all be right, even when all are wrong? They all have the right message, but are wrong in believing that only one religion can be right and the rest are wrong.
At the heart of all religions, what is the main message? Love and peace. Whether that is between groups or in one's own mind. Even in religions that seem to be completely different there are so many similarities. Let's use Hinduism and Catholicism for an example. We can start by making a short list of some of the bigger differences.
1. Hinduism believes in many gods. Catholicism believes in one God.
2. Hindus believe in reincarnation until one reaches Nirvana. Catholics believe in one life and an eternal afterlife.
3. Hindus have the Rig Veda. Catholics have (many versions of) the Bible.
4. Hindus do not have sacraments. Catholics do.
Now to see what they have in common.
1. Both lead people to try to reach beyond their earthly desires to reach the pinnacle of spiritual bliss. Hindus call it Nirvana, Catholics call it Heaven. Same goal, different names.
2. Both have holy books to help them guide their lives including laws, dietary laws, and spiritual guidance. Again, same things, different names.
3. Both have prayer
4. Both have a group of super dedicated religious.
5. Both use meditation to find balance in life and as an attempt to communicate with the Divine.
6. Both have a large following.
7. Both preach love and harmony inside and between the rest of the world and tolerance.
Now aside from the differences in names, the only difference that is left is the monotheistic view and the polytheistic view. For the sake of argument, I will go out on a limb and say that I believe that even this seemingly major difference can be reconciled. Now a person looking at Catholicism might be confused with the idea of the Trinity. They might see Catholicism as being polytheistic. Three gods? In actuality, there are three faces of God, separate, but still the same single entity. Some may think of it as a schizophrenic god, but it is a serious and common misconception. There is only one God, just manifesting Him(or Her)self in different forms. Hindus can relate to this. After all, their own god Brahma (the ultimate spirit, the One without a second) manifested Himself through various forms throughout history. Now Hinduism seems to place varying levels of importance on the different gods. There are the major players and there are the lesser gods that perform minor duties that are just as important for the world to function as it does. Perhaps Catholicism can be compared with this idea with the Trinity, saints, and angels. After all, running the universe is a big job. Anyone would need help, even an all-powerful being. So while all are the same, the members of the Trinity are individual and have their own duties. God the Father is like the store manager. He oversees the everyday function of the universe and makes sure everything runs smoothly. God the Son, referred to from here on in as Jesus, is like the associate manager. He takes care of what he can and relays problems and concerns of the employees (the faithful) to the store owner (God the Father). God the Holy Spirit is like the Human Resource department. He is there to provide moral support and provide the employees with the necessary tools to get the job done. He refreshes us when we are feeling low and gives us the strength to carry on and the wisdom to live a good life. The angels and saints are also in the HR department inspiring us through example. So you see, even with the monotheistic view, there is more than one player. Hinduism, to me, at least, is the same way. They recognize that while there is one ultimate deity, Brahma, He has help too. The lesser gods have their jobs to do to help humans live a good life and reach Nirvana.
Now, I don't want anybody to read this and just accept it, I'm just asking that you think about it yourself and try it with other religions too, I know I have. If it makes sense, then great, if not, then that's great too. What we really need to do is to look around and find what works for ourselves. We need to stop thinking in terms of right and wrong and start thinking in terms of "right for me" and let others do the same. There is no right religion or wrong religion. So pray in a mosque, church, temple, synagogue, or anywhere and anyway you please. Because in the end, all religions are right, and all religions are wrong.
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