hypocrisy

[wildwood]

In my younger days when I was forced to go to church the only redeeming intervals were when we sang hymns and I let rip with full gusto, no doubt much to the annoyance of the 9 or 10 rows nearest to me.

Even now, in respect for other guests, I have to rein in my dubious singing voice at weddings, funerals, christenings etc. when these are held in a church.
The reverberation from the larger pipes of the organ still fill me with emotion and make me weak in the knees.

So, is it hypocritical to enjoy religious hymns and church organ music when one does not believe one iota of the religious teaching?

[karenmac60]

It's music that you appreciate. It doesn't have to mean anything....

[MarkRae]

Not in the slightest! I've been an atheist since my early teens but that certainly hasn't stopped me loving lots of religious music (including hymns) playing church organ etc.

I still maintain that the Triorchy Male Voice choir singing something like "Love Divine All Loves Excelling" or "How Great Thou Art" is one of the greatest things ever.

[Mamyalynne]

Oh my!! walking on Trinity Sunday with the banners,the drums in the band and the powerful music, instilled in me a sense of pride and joy, even though my beliefs were somewhat muddled.

[mibn2cweus]

Fudging the lyrics was always fun . . . http://www.amiright.c...formers/h/hymns.shtml

[jomifl]

Music makes people feel good, that is why they have it in churches, then tell people that it's god's grace has entered them or some such.

[boxtops]

I don't think it's at all hypocritical. I sing with gusto when I go to church - weddings, Christmas etc - I know all the words from when I was in the school choir. If there are bits I really disagree with, I just sing along without giving any significance to them. I do it for the singing, not the words.

[beso]

The love of participating in vocal collaborations is what the religious mistake for the glory of God.

Singing is a fundamental part of human nature and anyone who has done it seriously sung with a group of other human being will know the the sense of joy and connection it brings.

Funnily enough, that feeling is one of the things that the religious presume we athists don't have in our lives. Yet like some many other aspects of spiritual experience the atheist engagement reflects a remarkable authenticity in contrast to the religious struggle to reproduce and perpetuate a shadow of something that happened to their heros millennia in the past.

Their abandonment of opportunity for personal adventure foregone in the pursuit of a pasteurised concept of spirit is a tragedy.

[naomi24]

No, it's not hypocritical. Music is music.

[wildwood]

Thanks to all. Yes, my urge to sing is very much stimulated when others around me are singing too. When on telly it is just not the same.

Now.... I wonder if it is too late in life for me to take some fundamental singing tuition so I won't spoil other's experience.

[MarkRae]

It's never too late! A good singing teacher will pay dividends in terms of pitch, breath control and phrasing.