Music and Religion

Religion was never a constant in my childhood, and I was never expected to observe any religion on a regular basis. Instead I was encouraged to explore religions before “making a decision“ regarding the path that I would choose. This opportunity to explore different religions allowed for me to experience connections between music and religion.

Growing up, my Dad (although really being Southern Baptist) attended a Pentecostal Church, and so I sometimes attended church with him. I found that music played a large role in this faith, and not in a very traditional way. Typically I would participate in a branch-off group for children where I would hear, and sometimes participate in, very lively music. I never observed any governing rules regarding the music and honestly, I never understood the point of such lively music and dancing in church, but I suppose that to those of the Pentecostal faith then the point behind the music is to express their love/commitment to Jesus.

My Mom is a different story. She was Methodist by birth, but Wiccan by choice. So when I was younger I would also attend a Methodist Church. In my experience attending the Methodist Church the music seemed very subtle as we mostly sang hymns, and we were expected to stand and sing in unison. The choir sometimes began the hymns, with the rest of the congregation joining in. Although there were not any “written” rules governing the music and behavior in the Methodist Church, it was obvious that everyone was expected to remain quiet if the choir was singing and to only join in when directed to do so. Later on, when I realized that my mother was Wiccan I began to explore that concept of religion. While I have never attended any of the Wiccan ceremonies with her, I have done considerable reading (and after the unit on Native Americans this week, I have realized that the Native American culture and religion is very similar to that of Wicca). I have experienced the music of Wicca, and have discovered that everything is greatly related to the Earth and our surroundings.

Personally, I am atheist. So at first I was a little uncertain how to approach this blog. Even though I have attended a Synagogue, Methodist Church, Pentecostal Church and have experienced aspects of Wicca, it can sometimes be difficult for me to truly notice the “real” connection between music and religion. For the most part I have a general understanding that music seems to play a supporting role in religion and allows for those in a certain religion to feel a connection between whomever or whatever they believe in.

I feel as if the values of religion do not necessarily influence what is aesthetically pleasing in a musical experience. The connection I can make is between the quietness/respect given to the choir and remaining quiet throughout most of a recital.

I though I would include this video, it's a Wiccan song for the Winter Solstice celebration.