Makes me an even bigger Carrie Underwood fan!

[ReformedWretch]

If they would all only do this!

Don't publicly back candidates for office.

"There is someone I do support, but I don't support publicly. I lose all respect for celebrities when they back a candidate.

"It's saying that the American public isn't smart enough to make their own decisions," she goes on. "I would never want anybody to vote for anything or anybody just because I told them to. "Music is where you go to get away from all the BS. Whether it's from politics or just the world around you, music should be an escape."

 

[CDM]

If they would all only do this!

Don't publicly back candidates for office.

"There is someone I do support, but I don't support publicly. I lose all respect for celebrities when they back a candidate.

"It's saying that the American public isn't smart enough to make their own decisions," she goes on. "I would never want anybody to vote for anything or anybody just because I told them to. "Music is where you go to get away from all the BS. Whether it's from politics or just the world around you, music should be an escape."

Miss Underwood's comments encapsulate the popular thinking of this country well. This is the sole value of the artisans of modern song and theater. They are the personification of the decadence and silliness of our culture. Apparently, Underwood is supposed to be one of the most "level - headed" of the lot.

If Miss Underwood's music is intended and causes one to "escape" from the world then believers ought to avoid her drug altogether.

 

[LawrenceU]

Hey, lay off my cuz!

 

[CDM]

Hey, lay off my cuz!

 

[calgal]

If they would all only do this!

Don't publicly back candidates for office.

"There is someone I do support, but I don't support publicly. I lose all respect for celebrities when they back a candidate.

"It's saying that the American public isn't smart enough to make their own decisions," she goes on. "I would never want anybody to vote for anything or anybody just because I told them to. "Music is where you go to get away from all the BS. Whether it's from politics or just the world around you, music should be an escape."

Miss Underwood's comments encapsulate the popular thinking of this country well. This is the sole value of the artisans of modern song and theater. They are the personification of the decadence and silliness of our culture. Apparently, Underwood is suppsoed to be one of the most "level - headed" of the lot.

If Miss Underwood's music is intended and causes one to "escape" from the world then believers ought to avoid her drug altogether.

Chris you are missing her point: she recognizes that there are people who will vote a certain way because a celebrity told them to. Ms. Underwood is being realistic: there are people copying what she wears, her hairdo and who put her on an unrealistic level. If I spend a couple hundred bucks for a concert, I want to go to dinner, hear a band or singer I enjoy sing music that is pleasing to my ears. I do not like a lot of CCM and would not waste money on it. Other than the mess known as lillith fair, people go to the movies, theater and concerts to hear a song or see a show they really enjoy, NOT to be told how to vote or subjected to the actor or artist's political views. To clarify this, I won't watch Tom Cruise movies: Xenu is a false god he follows and he drags that garbage into EVERY SINGLE thing he does.

 

[ReformedWretch]

I don't want to get into a debate about the value of Carrie's music, I was looking to discuss her idea (good one in my opinion) that entertainers (of any sort) should keep their mouths shut about politics.

 

[CDM]

I don't want to get into a debate about the value of Carrie's music, I was looking to discuss her idea (good one in my opinion) that entertainers (of any sort) should keep their mouths shut about politics.

I understand.

Just curious: why should entertainers "keep their mouths shut about politics"? And, who else, do you believe, should keep their mouth's shut about politics? Not to be too nitpicky, but, what you consider "entertainers" may be what others consider most politicians, i.e., they are one and the same.

 

[CDM]

I don't want to get into a debate about the value of Carrie's music, I was looking to discuss her idea (good one in my opinion) that entertainers (of any sort) should keep their mouths shut about politics.

Many people are quick to elevate any celebrity to a wisdom possessing status. I can't stand listening to some of these wackos go on about who will be best for the country, or worse yet, how their experience prepares them for office. I am glad that this one, whoever she is, keeps her thoughts to herself.

That is, unless she agrees with you, right?

 

[ReformedWretch]

No, ALL entertainers (singers and actors) why alienate a ton of your paying audience? I refuse to see certain films or TV shows if George Clooney is in them for example. While someone who agreed with me wouldn't make me stop supporting them, they would make a lot of others do so and that seems to be a foolish thing to do as someone who relies on the population to make your living.

 

[Blue Tick]

I think what Carrie Underwood is trying to say is, since I'm a celebrity I'm going to be cautious with what I say publicly. She understands that she has the power to influence people because of her celebrity status.


Now if music is being used to escape the world, well that's another topic...

 

[smhbbag]

Things make me skeptical of her conviction on this: she was scheduled to sing at the RNC in September. Her fans threw a fit. Then she didn't sing. And now she thinks celebrities shouldn't do politics. It's all very convenient.

It would be different if her opinion was, "It's bad business to do politics as a musician." But that's not what she said. She said she loses respect for people - implying that to do politics as a musician is inherently arrogant, condescending, wrong, or whatever other adjective would describe people she loses respect for.

If Miss Underwood's music is intended and causes one to "escape" from the world then believers ought to avoid her drug altogether.

Indeed. "Escapes" through music are perfectly fine and good - when that music causes one to meditate on the Lord, and on things that are good and right. Frivolity for the sake of frivolity, which, let's face it, is what most secular music is for, provides no real 'escape' but is in fact yet another snare for believers to fall into. She has a few great songs, but on the whole, her impact on society through her music isn't really positive, and that may be a generous estimation.

 

[Blue Tick]

Things make me skeptical of her conviction on this: she was scheduled to sing at the RNC in September. Her fans threw a fit. Then she didn't sing. And now she thinks celebrities shouldn't do politics. It's all very convenient.

It would be different if her opinion was, "It's bad business to do politics as a musician." But that's not what she said. She said she loses respect for people - implying that to do politics as a musician is inherently arrogant, condescending, wrong, or whatever other adjective would describe people she loses respect for.

True. It does have some what of a condescending tone. However, I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and just side that she doesn't want to sway people because of her celebrity status. Although, I agree, she could have been more refined in the delivery.

 

[ChristianTrader]

No, ALL entertainers (singers and actors) why alienate a ton of your paying audience? I refuse to see certain films or TV shows if George Clooney is in them for example. While someone who agreed with me wouldn't make me stop supporting them, they would make a lot of others do so and that seems to be a foolish thing to do as someone who relies on the population to make your living.

Why is it not seen as a courageous thing to do? Everyone who speaks on basically any topic, hopes to influence people. To be consistent do you think basically no one should speak about politics because they could influence or turn off people?

For example, let say that I was famous for whatever reason, and I had decided to speak out against Barak Obama for his myriad of issues. Should I take a second thought and say, "You know what, someone might be offended and therefore not go see my movie, buy my Jersey etc." Or should I think, "I hope those who support Barak are offended by what I say and therefore rethink their position".

CT

 

[ReformedWretch]

Pretty tough call in my opinion. I was speaking solely about a career as a famous person, trying to get sales and such. When it comes to that, we could argue that a Christian should not be in that kind of business at all because for true success they can't expose their beliefs. I wasn't even thinking of that though. I simply thought it was nice to have ONE celeb "shut up and sing".

As for "escaping" with music, I really think it was an innocent comment that's being taken too serious here unless every single one of you are saying you never "relax" and enjoy something that isn't 100% Christ centered. Sure maybe we should always "escape" with the Word of God and prayer but there's no way I believe anyone does that all of the time.

 

[smhbbag]

Why is it not seen as a courageous thing to do? Everyone who speaks on basically any topic, hopes to influence people. To be consistent do you think basically no one should speak about politics because they could influence or turn off people?

For example, let say that I was famous for whatever reason, and I had decided to speak out against Barak Obama for his myriad of issues. Should I take a second thought and say, "You know what, someone might be offended and therefore not go see my movie, buy my Jersey etc." Or should I think, "I hope those who support Barak are offended by what I say and therefore rethink their position".

Ditto.

As for "escaping" with music, I really think it was an innocent comment that's being taken too serious here unless every single one of you are saying you never "relax" and enjoy something that isn't 100% Christ centered. Sure maybe we should always "escape" with the Word of God and prayer but there's no way I believe anyone does that all of the time.

This is why I added the caveat that I appreciate a good silly song (or, simply, a good country song) every now and then, and those are also fine. Actually, it's not there now that I look. Must have lost it when I edited the post. Oops.

But, along with just about everything else, big issues arise when that frivolity becomes a lifestyle for both the entertainer and the constantly entertained.

 

[ReformedWretch]

Maybe this is silly (or wrong) but I "escape" to/at Penn State football games, but I honestly thank God for the opportunity and feel a big sense of praise to Him when I get the chance to do this. No, not like Church, prayer, or bible study. I do put it in perspective. It's my favorite non spiritual (neutral though in my opinion) to do.

 

[smhbbag]

Maybe this is silly (or wrong) but I "escape" to/at Penn State football games, but I honestly thank God for the opportunity and feel a big sense of praise to Him when I get the chance to do this. No, not like Church, prayer, or bible study. I do put it in perspective. It's my favorite non spiritual (neutral though in my opinion) to do.

Nothing wrong with that.

 

[AThornquist]

I appreciate the fact that Underwood has taken this stance. People like P-Diddy were rather annoying this election season. "Alaska? ...You say ALASKA?" ... oy. And of course news stations report on dorks many times over but will hardly touch the "unjuiciness" of celebs using their brains.
...Now if only Underwood would stop humanizing animals...I'm gonna go eat some meat to make up for her.

 

[LawrenceU]

Please don't think that her stance on animals goes for our whole family. I think she is the only vegetarian in the entire family. Meat has been and always will be a large part of our existence. Shoot, in some areas we are known for our barbecue!

 

[AThornquist]

I didn't think limp-wristed salad shooters were accepted in y'all's parts, anyway.

 

[LawrenceU]

I didn't think limp-wristed salad shooters were accepted in y'all's parts, anyway.