Because, while as currently structured breach of copyright is theft, it is also true that as it currently operates the "intellectual property" ideology combines with the worst features of capitalism to become the means by which "stars" and record companies, make excess profit, young struggling artists are NOT supported and the Christian message becomes a commercial "product" to be packaged and sold - quite literally. To my mind selling the gospel is sin - and that is worse than theft, for theft is merely a crime!I also have reservations about the whole Christian Music Industry, if music IS a ministry, then it should be funded and supported like other ministries are. Not through the grasping selfish mechanisms of an "industry".
I am deeply saddened when I hear of copyright Bibles, that people cannot copy to disseminate, I am equally sad when I hear of Christian Musicians who make more than a good living out of
"selling" the gospel, just like the worst TV Evangelists. Next thing Pastor X will copyright his sermons, and how long before Disney trademarks the term "Gospel".
So, I agree with what you say, but I wish people would say and do more to help undo this sad
commercialisation of what should be good news for everyone!
Until Christians (whether musicians or not) learn to opt out of the diabolic system of fame, pride and wealth that has crippled the Church in the Western world, and is decimating our reach into our neighbourhoods, Christian music will remain an "industry" and "Christian music" will continue to be protected by complex and restrictive DRM mechanisms, and will continue to be stolen.
Labels: copyright
¶ 9:25 AM
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It is expensive to produce music and tour. How do you propose Christian musicians do this in a world that is used to paying for the products it consumes?
By 
Keith, at
June 21, 2007 5:33 PM
Perhaps by trusting God? I know more non-Christians with more faith then this: who give away their music, etc, etc.
Since when was the cost of something a limiting factor in any ministry that someone truely believes they are called to.
The greatest problem is that we have bought into the actual notion of 'not sharing' - which is essentially the legal framework that copyright provide. It might be worth learning something from the people who use Copyright to enforce sharing: Creative Commons, Open Source, Free Software, etc.
By Dwayne, at
November 13, 2007 9:20 AM
Dwayne,
I tend to agree with you. I try to give away as much as I can of what I write and speak. BUT I am fortunate, someone pays my salary, and it is enough to live on reasonably comfortably. There is a real problem with funding the production (except where it is done part time in "spare time") of material that is given away. Famous names can do it, like bands do by making money on gigs, but most writers and musicians can't. So, the issue is how we (i.e. the church or the academy) fund such things.
By Tim, at
November 13, 2007 9:32 AM
