Feature: Why are secular artistes tagged ‘unholy’?

He gave each and every individual in-born traits that distinguishe him or her from other individuals, a trait if utilized well can be a source of strength, happiness and a source that will generate income to feed offspring and generations next to come.

In the biblical book of Matthew Chapter 25:14, it was clearly outlined the various ‘categories’ of talents God gave to man. As some were blessed with the talent to teach, others were also blessed with the abilities to sing, prophecy, evangelize, healing amongst others. Refusing to adhere to these God gifted talents will attract serious punishments on Earth and the life after. Some of the possible earthly punishments may include severe hunger, frustration, dejection and rejection etc.

However, some individuals in their quest to adhere to these talents are mostly being criticized as being unholy and going contrary to the teachings of the gospel. Some who do it very well and seem to excel in all angles of their lives are mostly being accused of joining secret societies or better still are being described as illuminaties just because they are not gospel acts. I have on several grounds witnessed scenes where certain Christian families threatening their kid(s) who were brought up the Christian way. But along the line, identified their true calling of either being a rapper, actor, high-life artiste, hip-hip artiste or perhaps a dancehall act but dare not make that move for the fear that their parents might end up disowning them.

I sometimes get confused as to why Christians will doubt and find evil in some of the talents given to individuals by the same creator they claim to be serving. Is it out of ignorance a Christian will refuse to share the same stage or microphone with a secular artiste just for the perception that it might end up denting their (gospel musician) brands.

Just as cooking requires a certain skill, some are very experts in cooking jollof rice but might fail in an attempt to prepare ‘waakye’ and that doesn’t mean he or she is a bad cook. It’s a big NO to that. It’s like condemning the palm wine tapper who out of creativity makes alcohol from ordinary palm trees for being the cause of the uncountable number of drunkards on our streets knowing very well the other usefulness or benefits of alcohol in our various communities. Doctors, sometimes advise their patients to go in for alcohol. Do you even think God will have brought into existence palm trees if he knows alcohol will be of no benefit to us?

I remember in secondary school during one of terminal exams. I adopted a strategy to learn three different books for one subject (Science) and for the first time, I passed very well to my own amazement. This was possible because, I was able to get different definitions for one terminology and made those definitions my own. this made the definition very solid because it had so many ideas as compared to when I used to stick to one book. This clearly indicates that, though we worship one big God, there are diverse ways or forms God can use to show his supremacy to each and every individual and not necessarily through the gospel genre as it is believed to be.

Secular artistes also contribute a lot in the kingdom business. They might not dress, talk, walk or sing like the gospel folks but that does not take away the fact that, they have and are still contributing their quota in uniting people around the globe with their songs and shouldn’t be seen as sinners or evil doers just because they are adhering to the instructions of God with regards to their talents.

Every talent is a special blessing from God and should be accorded the needed respect. The messages in some of the secular songs have a very high tendency of bringing positive influence in the society and even draw listeners more closer to God than some of the gospel songs.

A secular artiste aside his or God-given talent may associate him or herself with things that society frowns on but that has got nothing to do with his or her talent or doesn’t make their talent evil.

We should concentrate more on their talent and not on their weakness for it is another way of discovering the greatness of God. Judging them to be evil will only limit the greatness of God and might end up ruining some great talents in the future.