duck, duck, gray duck: V2.0 - 3 sites reviewed

I don't normally do this, but thanks to an insightful reader I decided to rewrite this entry to clarify my initial reason for posting it. So, this is Version 2.0.

DUCK

I recently had a conversation with some friends of mine.

During this conversation a particular website was brought up.. at which point I shook my head, covered my face, and laughed due to mild disbelief and shock.

I had completely forgotten about this site and have not visited this site in a long time, but apparently it still exists.

The basic concept of the site is to ensure that sheltered christians remain as innocent as doves while being as "plugged in" as a fetus.  If you didn't catch it, I just referenced the website.... "Plugged In Online" created by "Focus on the Family""

Their mission statement is summarized as "shining a light on the world of popular entertainment"

for simplicity's sake, I will focus on the movie review portion of their site.

PROS

This site is meant to review media and it's content, allowing for people to be aware of what you might be viewing should you see a particular movie.  The site will typically begin with a quick synopsis of the movie and then move into a content description with categories such as; "Positive elements, spiritual content, sexual content, violent content, crude or profane language, and drug and alcohol content"  The review will typically end with the critics overall opinion of the film.

CONS
 
Nearly every movie review over a "G" rating can be summarized the same way... something like this,

"Would have been and amazing movie if it didn't have that worldly influence... what a shame... what a dirty, dirty shame... skip this one"

Ok, maybe that's not entirely accurate...some of the "G" rated movies are reviewed this way too. (that was a joke... take it easy)

Really though, this is what I think are the negative aspects of this online tool.  I am not opposed to having movie and music reviews done from a christian perspective and there is some great potential in this whole thing... the problem comes when it perpetuates the ever increasing physical and cultural separation between those who follow Christ, and those who don't.  Though christians have been called to a different standard of living we have also been engage with those outsideof the walls of the church... even if it means we hear a swear word or two.

This website seems to focus on a specific demographic, I might be wrong but it is probably used mainly by conservative christians, or conservative christians with children they would like to protect and likely have a fear of engaging with "the world".

 I am not super conservative and I don't have children, so I might perceive this site differently than it's intended audience... but, this is what i see as a potential shortcoming of the site...

We live in a story-telling culture.  One of the main ways that we now tell stories is through media... whether books, music, or film... it is now how we express our beliefs and values as a people. If what this tool does is mainly keep people from hearing others stories because their content causes fear, than I argue that we are disengaging from hearing the stories of the very people, as christians, we have been called to connect with.


 DUCK

 If you like YouTube but fear sinners, then you'll love...

GodTube

PROS

free online videos intended to offer a positive message.

CONS 

I see this site as the "testamints" of the internet.

It is nearly a comical parody of YouTube , and I am not sure it is necesary to slap a "jesus fish" on an already existing website.  Many, if not all of the videos presented on GodTube are also available on YouTube.  It disengages from the culture at large...   A bright light doesn't make much of an impact in an illuminated room but watch what happens in the midst of darkness, in the same way, I think a better use of the time and energy of people who care about GodTube would be to focus their energy in the YouTube world and share their videos and opinions there.  One of the YouTube features that draws attention and and allows for dialogue is the "comments" section, and I think that would be a better place to respectfully share opinions.

Pretty self explanatory, but once again... an example of what I think is an unnecessary segregation between the christian sub-culture and the culture it is supposed to be influencing.


GRAY DUCK

 Our third example looks a little different than the last two.

Musician Derek Webb is the founder of an online music site called noisetrade.

It is a revolutionary tool where fans can listen to and download good music for free... legally.

PROS

Although Derek is a Christian, the website is not limited to only christian artists!  Oh my!  Instead, it is a venue where artists are able to get their name and music spread to people who appreciate it and will likely support and promote them in the future.  It used to allow you to choose either telling 5 friends about the artist or paying what you want, but recently changed to download for free or pay what you'd like as a tip.

A christian artist founded a website that is beneficial to the music community while at the same time progressive.. and it does not go against christian values.  weird.

CONS

There are not enough christian influenced sites like this...



This is something I would like to see more of.  It is an example of christians providing a new way of doing things.. using our creativity and gifts to benefit others, being leaders in the arts and using our passions to show a different way.  I think that we have for too long limited ourselves to the DUCK approach... which is basically doing the same things as everyone else, just not as good and in a sheltered environment.  we need more GRAY DUCK ways of thinking... where we look different but it is good because we are the ones moving ahead and making a difference.

So, I recommend that you check all three of these sites out, I am admittedly quite critical, and there are probably some good things about all three if you are looking to find them.... but still i look forward to the time where there are more GRAY DUCKS out there... know of any others?

I know my initial review of the sites was pretty harsh, if you had the chance to read them, and some of it was intentionally over the top, and I am not trying to bash christians for standing up in their beliefs. 

I am trying to get the candles out of the fully illuminated rooms and into the darkness where they make a difference, and trying to encourage the salt to come out of the ocean. The more that talented christians use their gifts in the larger society, which is a culture consisting of an unchristian majority,  the more potential there is to have a positive influence and to actually shine lights in dark places. The first two sites, while very similar to other online sites, are an example of a christian site that is hoping to reach a majority christian audience... this in and of itself is not a bad thing.. It becomes a bad thing when the majority of sites by christians are aimed at christians, which is what has in fact happened... even my blog, momentum, falls into this category. The third site is aimed at a larger majority but still has christian influence and in the long run has a greater potential to reach people who are not proclaimed christians. This is what I think we need more of if we are to be effective in ministry.

German women, lost shepherds, and integrity.

Music is a mysterious thing.

I have heard it said that music is unique in that it has the ability to speak to a persons soul without their permission. What a weird thought. Something so beautiful can violate our beings.

I think that it is true. Music has the ability to trigger emotions in us. It can provoke us like nothing else, it can mesmerize us, and inspire us.

It can make things seem very sincere or passionate, like in church when someone is praying or nearing the end of a message and the guitar and keys fade in and gently manipulate peoples feelings. A pet peeve of mine... for the record.

It can even strike fear in us.

If you have ever seen a scary movie you know what I mean... the music used creates stress and tension in the viewer... the screeching strings irritate your mind and increase slightly in volume in order to prime you just as the psychotic masked killer jumps out. boom. scared.

or maybe, the killer doesn't jump out and it was just a cat.

instant relief from anxiety.

not nearly the same without the music.

major keys feel different than minor keys, and key changes are emotionally charged and epic.

My gramma used to sing songs to me when I was a little kid. She would sing hymns to me (rarely were the emotionally charged or epic - that would have been amazing though) they were, however, very soothing. They were old Lutheran hymns, so it is very likely they were at one point drinking songs. I would argue that there are few things more soothing than a sweet old German woman singing you modified drinking songs as you are falling asleep. Not always the case, but this particular combination was angelic.

Now, we can use music for better or for worse, and I am sure there are many opinions about what makes music good or bad. People feel very strongly about music, don't we?

Yes... yes we do.

Maybe it is because when there is music we identify with we have actually allowed the music to become a small part of our identity. therefore, to challenge my style of music is to challenge a part of who I am. Seems to make sense. Let's say that is in fact the case.

I am honored to live in a house filled with music. Most of the music you have likely never heard before because it is still in the process of being created. All of my roommates are very talented, and in a variety of ways. One is particularly gifted as a musician and songwriter.

seriously, it is like he was born to make music... and his music reflects this.

There is deep meaning in every one of his songs... the lyrics are saturated with deep thought and symbolism. It is poetic.

He pairs that with amazing melodies and harmonies, presented creatively with just the right sounds, rhythm, and tones in order to weave the lyrics into an ocean of beautifully produced sonic waves.

The music is a piece of him.

In case you were wondering, his name is Eben and his band is Lost Shepherds .

Music is a mysterious thing indeed. There was a musician who was very influential in enriching my faith and challenging my preconceived ideas. His name is Derek Webb, and he has continued writing and recently produced an album called Stockholm Syndrome. Good music, good message.

I was listening to some of his earlier albums from 2004 and 2005.

I See Things Upside Down
&
Mockingbird

... and in doing so was reflecting on how this music had presented deep truths and in doing so challenged me and as a result... I grew.

As I said earlier, there is good music and bad music.... we all have opinions on this, but maybe one way we can classify the music is not necessarily by how it sounds.. but on what it does to us... or in us.. or for us.

Some music is neutral, some is beneficial, some is detrimental.... but it all has the power to speak to our souls. Which is why we shouldn't just listen passively to what is being communicated and we should actually focus on the message.

Now... the focus of this is not on listening to "secular music" vs "christian music"... which I could see as an assumed next wave of thought, but something I care very little about.

I want to talk on "worship music" for a bit. If you are a Christ follower and have not recently taken time to examine the words you are singing during worship, I would strongly urge you to do so and to think through what is being declared.

Many times hidden behind a veil of melodic distractions are terribly self-centered or insincere cliches just waiting to echo through the church walls...inside which, they will remain. It is not the beauty of our voice or the passion in which we project our songs, but the sincerity of our hearts that will be pleasing to the Lord. If we don't deeply consider the words we are singing, how can we sincerely mean it?

Worshiping through music and song is an incredible form of praise and adoration, and because music by it's very nature is so powerful, we must approach this behavior with wisdom and maturity, especially as we become more accustomed to it. To sing with your heart is to know every word that flows from your mouth and to mean them. Just because something sounds extremely passionate, flowery, or spiritual doesn't mean it is true worship... true worship is a matter of offering praise and adoration to God in honesty, integrity, and sincerity.

Music is a gift we have been given.

Let us use it wisely.