The music we listen to is equally as important as what we wear and
ingest into our bodies. We can never for a moment underestimate the
power of music and its impact, individually, upon our frame of mind and
collectively, upon our environment. Ben Ammi explains its power as
follows:
“Music is much more than a form of entertainment; music
identifies races, nationalities and communities. It has far-reaching,
hypnotic effects on the brain and soul, and can take complete control
of the body and mind. Music can determine the mood of a person or a
people. After comprehending its profound effects on the mind, it
stands to reason that we must beware, for the effects can be good or
evil. Music is like a series of thought waves that cause men to think
and do right or wrong, wise things or foolish things. In addition to
that, there are sounds that destroy ear drums, shatter light bulbs,
and crack glass. We must also ask ourselves: is there a mode or
musical sound that can destroy the mind? The answer is certainly yes.
There was a sound with God in the beginning; all things were made by
sound, and without sound nothing was made. From this we know there is
creative power in sound, for in Genesis a right sound brought forth
life. In order that the people know the importance of sound, God
instructed our predecessors to make trumpets to play a certain mode of
music for the assembling of the masses. There was also a special music
played when it was time to go to war. God evolved the entire success
over evil forces around a sound, as He commanded our fathers to play a
certain sound if they were under oppression by their enemies. When
this sound was heard, He would hear, strengthen and save. Will God not
keep His word? Have our musicians considered the true spirituality of
music? Have they all gone astray? Are there none that understand?
Should we not at least apply this ancient wisdom in our struggle for
freedom? There are those of evil intentions that are constantly
searching the scriptures and manipulating the contents and using these
same instructions against us. In our quest for God, we must bring
forth a righteous sound upon the instruments; we must halt the
onslaught of music that weakens and destroys. The musicians have
forsaken God and the people. They no longer understand their
responsibility is not only to entertain and uplift, but also to
educate their audiences and our people. The music has to make demands
on the people and give them vision.”
Excerpt from God
the Black Man and Truth, Ben Ammi, pp. 27-29
In our desire to create a holy and santified environment that would
promote and reflect the spirit of the Holy One of Israel, continual
efforts have been made to separate ourselves from the degenerate
anti-Yah sound of the world. There is a constantly evolving set of
guidelines established to assist the Saints in maintaing the highest
expression of Divine Culture through sound.
