Is this manipulative

During a conversation Pastor Wooten and I were discussing the type of music that I enjoy. His reply, it's important to grow in your faith and become a mature Christian. You're not there yet, give it time. His rebuttal, after a few weeks later, when we went back to this conversation, he said what I meant was rock music can hinder your transformation as you grow to be more like Christ. Kris, I don't think a music festival named "hellfest" is pleasing to God. Also Kris, you're an adult, you can choose to listen to whatever you want but ask yourself I'm a being discerning, are my music choices aligned with God's will? How is this manipulative?

The scenario provided could be considered manipulative due to several elements related to logic and reasoning:

1. **Appeal to Fear**: The pastor's comments suggest that listening to certain types of music, particularly rock music or attending a festival named "hellfest," might hinder one's spiritual growth and transformation. This can instill fear about making the "wrong" music choices which might lead to negative spiritual consequences.

2. **Ad Hominem**: Initially, without offering specific reasons, the pastor implies that Kris's choices are not mature or spiritually responsible. By saying "you're not there yet," he indirectly questions Kris's maturity or faith without directly addressing how music relates to spiritual growth.

3. **Loaded Question**: The pastor poses a question ("are my music choices aligned with God's will?") that assumes a negative answer without providing evidence or reasoned argument for why certain musical choices might not be aligned with God's will. It pressures Kris to conform to an implicit standard without proper justification.

4. **Appeal to Authority**: The pastor uses his position and presumed authority in spiritual matters to influence Kris's choices, suggesting that his opinion on music is aligned with God's will. If Kris perceives the pastor as an authority figure, he may feel compelled to agree without questioning.

5. **False Dichotomy**: By contrasting rock music and Hellfest with what is "pleasing to God," the pastor suggests a limited perspective that implies a person cannot listen to rock music or attend such festivals without displeasing God. It presents an oversimplified view of a complex issue.

Overall, the pastor's method of communication can be seen as manipulative because it employs logical fallacies and implies consequences without substantiating them, which can exert undue influence over Kris's personal choices. It's important to consider such reasoning carefully and seek rational, evidence-based discussions.

appeal to heaven

You ask 'how is this manipulative'? I've said it before and I will say it again: all religions are manipulative. All religions promote their preferred way of behaving and rely on appeal to heaven to enforce it, without further justification. That's how religions work: they say they know what God wants, and every religion has religious text to back that up. You either accept it and follow the religion or you doubt it and you don't follow that religion. It's that simple. Now, in your particular case, you could ask how the priest knows that the music you like is not pleasing God. If the pastor's reply is convincing to you, do what he says; if not, do what you will.