ABSTRACT
This
study is an investigation of the ‘Impact of Secular Music on the Moral life of Christian
Youths in Delta State, Nigeria’. Christian Church is known for its orderly form
of worship. Its musical pattern of worship is arranged from entrance to
recessional hymns for dedications, wedding, etc. This kind of music has its
purpose and impact in the secular world; the impact of this secular music on the
moral life of Christian youths in Delta State calls for this study. In doing
so, it examined some contemporary secular music like makossa, reggae, rock and
roll, jazz, azonto for Christ, kukere, alanta, yahuzee, hippo and the like that
have penetrated deeply into the musical tradition of the Christian Church in
Delta State. Similarly, the study examined the factors responsible for the
importation of secular music into the music of Christian tradition. Research
questions were developed and administered in line with the objectives which are
based on the impact of secular music on the moral life of Christian youths.
Following the questions were null hypotheses which were stated to free the
study from preconceived results and an impaired related literature review was
undertaken. To give a clear picture of the impact of secular music on the moral
life of Christian youths in Delta State, a set of questionnaire, interview and
observation were adopted as instruments for the study. Eight hundred and twenty
(820)copies of the questionnaire were administered to the youths,
church leaders, and members of the Christian Church in Delta State.
Eight
hundred and two (802) questionnaires were returned. The data collected through
questionnaire were analysed with means, percentage, frequencies and t - test
statistics.
The demographic variables of the questionnaire were analysed
with frequency and percentage statistics, while the hypotheses were tested with
means standard deviation and t - test. The results of the findings were
presented in tables. Hypotheses 1 revealed that both clergy and members of Christian
Church were aware that secular music lyrics have made an inroad into the
church. Hypotheses 2 revealed that Christian youths and their adults differ
significantly in their opinion on the effect of secular music on the moral life
of Christian youths. Hypotheses 3 revealed that majority of male and female
members agreed that secular music dancing styles has negative impact on the
moral life of the youths. Hypothesis 4 indicated that both male and female
members of the church concur that secular musicians dressing has negative
impact on moral life of the youths. The result of hypotheses 5 is of the
opinion that Christian youths should be trained to genuine music that inspires
true worship of God. Also skimpy dressing and energetic dancing of secular
music makes the church look more of a social gathering than a place of worship.
It was discovered that secular music has negative impact on the moral lives of Christians
youth’s in Delta State. In this case, Christian youths should be educated on
the importance of descent dressing especially when it comes to worshiping God,
and their immoral dancing steps in church should be minimized so as to
differentiate worship from the disco hall. Distractive or less meditative music
should be discouraged, so as to help those that are used to solemn and
meditative way of worship in the Church. All forms of music used during worship
should be properly screened by musical directors of the Christian Church before
playing it in the church by the youths or choristers.