Idea of Music as Inspiration for Religion


After reading the article Religion in Popular Music or Popular Music as Religion? published on the popular Music and Society Journal, I was able to gage a deeper understanding and reflection on music and its purpose on religion. Marcus Moberg discusses his interests in metallic music and how the "dark" religious themes he finds portrays a spiritual culture. The interpretations can be made through many lenses, but he talks about how music in general can provide its audience or followers with religious inspirations. I found that Moberg is right about his theory in both metal music and many other varieties of music in different cultures. For example, we can see that African tribal music illustrates not only a phileo type of love in the community, but also as religious influences to their Gods. We can see this go far back into the days of the Aztecs and Mayans as well where they would play songs before making sacrifices to their Gods. Finally, we can see this modern day Catholicism when you go to church and sing the hyms of the Gospel that represent much more than just sounds. It becomes an experience and religious inspiration. 

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