Heroes: Butch
9 hours ago
Gregorian Monks, Music, and Kolob
OK, so lately I'm completely in love with Monastic Music. Bah rum cha!
No really, Gregorian Chant is really my thing as of late. It's so soothing to listen to, and helps me feel total "zen" when I'm trying to zone out on my lunch break at work.
There is probably something to that. I mean, religious music resonates with people and they feel "good" and probably attribute that to the "spirit." I can see how if faithful LDS members listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and feel the same way I do when I listen to Gregorian Chant music, then they are Mormon4Life.
Honestly though, the music aspect of the LDS church was never all that appealing to me. Except for a couple of songs when I was in primary, I never really thought the music in church was all that beautiful.
Except for "If you could hie to Kolob." To me, that shit was the best. I mean the BEST. It sounded cool. It was about Kolob, and I've always been into science fiction to some degree. Also, the part If you could hie to Kolob in the twinkling of an eye always reminded and reminds me still of "Beam me up, Scotty!" And what I loved a ton about this song, is that it wasn't the whitewashed version of Mormonism that is currently the emphasized in the Sunday School manuals, it was what made me, as a Mormon, different than any Joe Christian. Frankly, I thought Mormonism kicked Christianity in the ass when it came to the "awesome" factor.
I mean, Mormonism basically says that God evolved from a lower form and then started life on earth. Something close to, though not exactly the same as, what Dawkins himself has said is possible. (Though this begs the question, "who designed the designer?" But maybe not really, because the designer EVOLVED from a natural process to begin with!) Anywho, I thought I'd share a video of that hymn here... just cause I'm in the mood. And I'm on a break at work. :)
What do you all think? Can music be the main crux for someone's faith in a religion?
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3 comments:
Here's something somewhat relevant to multiple parts from your post (it may be out of "era" though, not quite Gregorian):
Canon 8. Since the sacred mysteries should be celebrated with utmost reverence, with both deepest feeling toward God alone, and with external worship that is truly suitable and becoming, so that others may be filled with devotion and called to religion: . . . Everything should be regulated so that the Masses, whether they be celebrated with the plain voice or in song, with everything clearly and quickly executed, may reach the ears of the hearers and quietly penetrate their hearts. In those Masses where measured music and organ are customary, nothing profane should be intermingled, but only hymns and divine praises. If something from the divine service is sung with the organ while the service proceeds, let if first be recited in a simple, clear voice, lest the reading of the sacred words be imperceptible. But the entire manner of singing in musical modes should be calculated, not to afford vain delight to the ear, but so that the words may be comprehensible to all; and thus may the hearts of the listeners be caught up into the desire for celestial harmonies and contemplation of the joys of the blessed.
This was a proposed decree for Catholic church music in the Counter-Reformation. Music was DEFINITELY a big part of religious education and religious experience, so the Catholic church had to address several issues such as the rise of polyphonic music (i.e., multiple melodies going against each other) because they thought it would make the masses difficult to understand,
most of this proposed decree wasn't passed though, so we still have great pieces. e.g., the Miserare: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn39RzlhSao
Yeah I think music can be a crux, or specific doctrines, or rituals.
I was just talking to a guy the other day at work, trying hard to be polite as he talked all Christiany about looking for a church.
He said the Sabbath was the main issue for him and his wife. He went off about how Sunday isn't really the true sabbath, and I pretended like I cared. I think some people pick one or a few really important issues, and then they join the faith that satisfies those really important things.
Andrew- Thanks for the link Andrew! I love that song as well. I think the acoustics in cathedrals contribute so much to the reverence as well.
Happy Lost Sheep- I don't know how often I pretend like I care too. Especially here in the bible belt when people start talking to me as if I'm all into Jesus. :P
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