Contemporary Christian Music
From the latter half of the 20th century to the present day in Western Christendom—especially in the United States and in other countries with evangelical churches—various genres of music, originally often related to pop rock, have been created under the label of Contemporary Christian Music for home-listening and concert use. It can be divided into several genres and sub-genres, although the dividing lines and relationships between music genres are often subtle, sometimes open to individual interpretation, and occasionally controversial. These genres (sometimes referred to as 'style') like other forms of music may be distinguished by the techniques, the styles, the context and the themes, or geographical origin. Specific sub-genres of CCM may include (but are not limited to): Christian country music, Christian pop, Christian rock, Christian metal, Christian hardcore, Christian punk, Christian alternative rock and Christian hip hop. Called Christian pop or gospel a generalized form, is a musical movement almost new and was now evolved into a day, a large number of musical genres by region that comes in a Christian context This movement appeared as a form of evangelization for the young but this genre is best known and seen in the Evangelical or Protestant proselytizing movements, often using rhythms similar to those in secular music.
Contemporary Christian music is not a musical genre like the other genres. When a song is identified as "Christian" it is done taking into account the lyrics, the song-writers and performers, rather than musical style. Therefore, one can say that contemporary Christian music is diverse, and there are Christian songs that are sung to the rhythm of salsa, reggae, rock, folk, hip-hop or rap, ballads, pop, singer-songwriters and even extreme music such as punk or heavy metal.
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Famous quotes containing the words contemporary, christian and/or music:
“The many faces of intimacy: the Victorians could experience it through correspondence, but not through cohabitation; contemporary men and women can experience it through fornication, but not through friendship.”
—Thomas Szasz (b. 1920)
“What is clear is that Christianity directed increased attention to childhood. For the first time in history it seemed important to decide what the moral status of children was. In the midst of this sometimes excessive concern, a new sympathy for children was promoted. Sometimes this meant criticizing adults. . . . So far as parents were put on the defensive in this way, the beginning of the Christian era marks a revolution in the child’s status.”
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“La la la, Oh music swims back to me
and I can feel the tune they played
the night they left me
in this private institution on a hill.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)