Sigur Rós and the Art of Worship

If you're a Christian in America, you've likely heard of Sigur Rós. You might even know a superfan who will go on and on about the sheer beauty of this band's music. Though the members of Sigur Rós do not claim to be Christians, you may even hear the word "worship" pop up in a discussion with fellow believers.

This phenomenon is a bit baffling given that Sigur Rós is from Iceland, and its outspokenly gay bandleader Jón Þór Birgisson (Jónsi for short) sings in his native tongue. Well, usually. Sometimes he doesn't use language at all. Jónsi also sings in a form of gibberish that's been dubbed "Hopelandic." Nevertheless, search YouTube and you'll find a mashup of the Sigur Rós song "Inní Mér Syngur Vitleysingur" and Matt Redman's "Blessed Be Your Name" from Bill Hybels's Willow Creek Community Church. I can't say I'm a fan of this attempt, but the point is, once Sigur Rós has made it into a Willow Creek worship service, the band and its perceived worshipful qualities cannot be ignored.

Sigur Rós—named after Jónsi's little sister and directly translated "victory rose"—plays a version of post-rock, a subgenre that also encompasses bands such as Explosions in the Sky and Mogwai. Post-rock usually eschews a typical verse-chorus-verse structure and plays liberally with dynamics, glacially progressing from whispery to thunderous several times within a song. When vocals are used at all, it's less about lyrics and more about the texture and melody the voice adds to the overall mix.

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Evermyrtle

Again, Homosexuality is an abomination to GOD. I do not think HE will look kindly on anyone pretending to honor HIM, who is living a life that thy know he hates. He made us and sex special, used in the way that HE intended when HE made it.

John 14: 15 If you love, keep my commandments.

21. He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me, he shall be loved of my FATHER, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22. Judas, not Iscariot said unto HIM, LORD, how is it that you will manifest yourself unto us, and not unto the world??:
23. JESUS answered and said to him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto HIM, and make our abode with HIM.
24. He who loves me not, deeps not my sayings: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the FATHERS which sent me.
Evermyrtle

Today is the sabbath, use it to glorify HIM.
keyboardshark

"If you’re a Christian in America, you’ve likely heard of Sigur Rós."

I am a Christian in America, and no, I had never heard of them until now. It figures that they would make it into a 'Willow Creek worship service' (could this be an oxymoron?) since W.C. is known as a worldly megachurch. A rock group featuring an "outspokenly gay" bandleader who sings a form of gibberish? In a church? It doesn't pass the smell test.

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
I John 2:15
- Evermyrtle
  
  I hope your post stands the test. I wrote one, somewhat like yours and it was wiped out.
  - keyboardshark
    
    It may not have been wiped out. Try clearing your browser cache (Control Panel–>Internet Options–>General tab–>click "Delete" under "Browsing History", then click "Delete" again), then refresh the page.
- Despeville
  
  I am a redeemed sinner by the blood and will of God the Father price paid by God the Son and testified to by God the Holy Spirit and I heard and listen to Sigur Ros for many years now and way before it was ever on the radar and accepted my mega entertainment centers pretending to be churches but for entirely different reasons. It is just great music and so
  different than most of rubbish out there. Having said that Jonsi lives in active rebellion against God and Willow Creek
  Community Entertainment Center bastardizes themselves even more by pretending this can be part of "worship" in
  any sense… Shame.
  
  Sigur Rós: Í Gær – "Yesterday" —-> http://bit.ly/ydSq9
- Despeville
  
  Sigur Ros – Glósóli – http://youtu.be/Zr_MJAOyOeU
  - keyboardshark
    
    OK, I suppose the music itself is not bad, although probably not something I would listen to myself. I guess it's all a matter of taste, kind of like the Garage Rock of the 60's, some of which I like. Here's an example of one of the more popular songs associated with garage rock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfNq0kboAII
    
    Of course you have to consider that I played at bars in a top 40's rock band myself back in the day, so I still have some of that rock/metal influence in my blood. I even like the old Bubblegum Pop groups (Ohio Express, 1910 Fruitgum Company, Tommy Roe, etc) though many consider it sappy.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9qb6Qtk7Kg
    
    But the music I listen to on a daily basis is of course, the hymns of the Faith. I listen to a very conservative Christian radio station which is on virtually my entire waking hours while home, and which plays the old and some newer songs of the Faith, such as The Old Rugged Cross, Safe in the Arms of Jesus (one of my top favorites), When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, Finally Home, etc.
    - Despeville
      
      Thanks that is kind of ancient to me but I can hear good beat there.
lambsev11

The full article opens with the quote "The ethereal Icelandic band may not intend it, but their music has a divinely spiritual vibe." Likely they do not intend it. And it doesn't qualify them as worshipful.

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Matthew 10:32-34 32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
msjallen

I don't believe unbelievers should do any kind of service in places of worship nor should any church accept money from unbelievers.
John 4:24 God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit (in fellowship) and truth (using the knowledge of his Word.)
Acts 17:24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; (He indwells every believer)