Christian Radio: The FM Hypocrite

My last post regarding Orlando's local Christian radio station, Z88.3 has incited some reactions from the masses. It's only fair that I do a follow-up post to complete my thoughts on the topic.

So to elaborate, my last post mentioned how Z88.3's playlist was glorified by the station as being "Safe for the little ears" which I believe eventually leads to complacency in one's faith. To refute some of the arguments laid out in the comments section of my last post, I am not saying other Orlando stations are more varied in their music. All radio stations seem to be increasingly guilty of saturating their airwaves with the same hour and a half cycle of tunes. But a Christian radio station should be more concerned with the Great Commission than with Arbitron ratings.

Another beef I have with this station actually seems to contradict what I said yesterday. At least it would if Z88.3 wasn't guilty of publicizing plagiarism. Perhaps an example is in order: This song, entitled "Heaven" by Los Lonely Boys, was released by the secular band in 2004 to a flurry of popular acclaim. Instead of playing this uplifting song that has been out for 4 years, Z88.3 has recently begun playing a version sounding exactly the same recorded by a Christian band named Salvador.

Before the flame war starts, let me state that I understand what a cover song is; I know what a cover band does. But generally a band covers a popular song in addition to playing their original songs to generate a fan base. A band like Salvador, who has been around since 2000, should have no need to establish a fan base. And it really just comes down to Z88.3 being hypocritical by not playing a song that is EXACTLY THE SAME just because it isn't sung by a Christian artist originally.

For a station that plays songs proclaiming the power of God, why is Z88.3 afraid to play more songs with an uplifting message (albeit sung by a secular artist) and let God's power work through that song?

Christian Radio: The First Harbinger of Doom

There is a local radio station where I live, Z88.3, that plays "Christian" music twenty-four/seven. I use quotations because it needs to be emphasized that this music is not all-inclusive; they are only the feel-good songs of Christianity where God is mentioned every other line.

The motto for this station isn't even something like "Z88: Praising God on your way to work" or "Z88: Showing the meaning in a meaningless world", but actually "Z88: Safe for the little ears."

Is that what's become of mainstream Christianity??? It's safe for children?! That is not a faith I would want to raise my kids in. Safety begets comfort which leads to stagnation. I want a faith that challenges me, that lets me think and question my existence and the world around me; not some white-washed fabrication that is deemed safe for children's ears and minds.

The other problem I have with this station is that they claim to play "positive hits". Now your guess is as good as mine as to what the hell they are talking about when they say positive hits. To me, positive hits means any song that makes a person feel good. Makes sense, right? Good luck trying to hear uplifting songs like "Arms Wide Open" or "Higher" by Creed, or even songs by other Christian artists like Flyleaf because they don't expressly mention God in their works.

Z88.3 and stations like it alienate a lot of Christians who have varying music tastes. The greatest thing about music is that it is open to the listener's interpretation--a fact that this station ignores--so even a song that doesn't mention God outright can still relay a deeply spiritual meaning. Until Z88.3 changes their programming to include a larger variety of songs (or an entirely different line-up during the midnight to 4am block when the "little ears" should be in bed anyways) I am boycotting this station and writing emails, and I encourage everyone who reads this to do the same.