Does music have an important role in religion?

[Boojatta]

[TomInTib]

1. A lot of my early life was shaped by the Southern Baptist hymns I heard as a child.

Most of the great songwriters I know were heavily influenced by music they heard in church.

For some of us, that music made up the majority of our musical experience up to a certain age.

[Zebedeo]

2. Praise music is an offering that we give to God

Praise music is a wonderful way to give an offering to God. Consider the lyrics of the Christmas song "Little Drummer Boy," written by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone.

Not only is God pleased by praise music ("Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum"), but praise music provides valuable benefits to us as worshippers. It strengthens our faith, comforts us in our times of sorrow, reminds us of what we have to be grateful for, and helps to bring us the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

[JerseygirlCT]

5. I'd only quibble at the modifier of "praise"...

any music can be transporting and pleasing and meaningful. And as such, important to understanding our shared humanity and our relationship to God.

Overtly "praise" music isn't necessary. In fact, too much of what's passed for that in recent days is pablum and junk. (Thinking of those simply awful commercials full of the stuff!). While some of the most spiritually moving contemporary music comes not from those with an overt "praise" angle, but from those simply making good music.

[Az]

3. Emotional significance is the glue of belief

In order for an idea to have a lasting impact of the human psyche it must carry with it a significant emotional impact. Otherwise the brain does not accord it any special significance and thus does not relate to it when reflecting on congruent ideas. Thus if you want an idea to have more impact you must make the idea emotionally strong (shouting) or you must associate it with something that readily carries emotional impact (music). Thus religious services are typically punctuated with music in order to set the preceding sermon in emotional stone. (cue the organ and the chorus)

[JerseygirlCT]

4. Oh I think all art is. The act of creation mirrors the

Creator. Our gift of music or art or dance or what-have-you allow us to see this world in new and life-changing ways, elevating us beyond this day to day world.

Beautiful music certainly has historic importance - both to religious practice and to music history.

I cannot imagine worship without music. Don't want to imagine it!

[edhopper]

6. Oh

God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."

[HamdenRice]

7. Music is audible math. Music is us playing games with the order of the universe

Why do notes one octave apart sound the same? Think of it: how do two notes that are different seem to sound the same?

A note that is one octave above another note is exactly twice the frequency. So in music, we "hear" math. That is to say, it us hearing how the world is ordered.

[Boojatta]

8. Kick to encourage more votes and comments.

[knitter4democracy]

9. In our church, almost everything is sung.

It's tradition in the Eastern Orthodox Church for the liturgy to be sung. Theologically, as the liturgy is a mirror of Heaven and we believe that the angels sing the Thrice-Holy Hymn, so do we sing the Thrice-Holy Hymn. Very little is spoken, and when it is, it is spoken in unison by the entire congregation.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. Choirs!

Almost all the choral music that is any good is religiously inspired.

[kwassa]

11. In most Christian churches, music has a giant role.

Much of the greatest classical music was written for religious purposes.

Music is a form of worship. Or, can be.

[bananas]

12. Steeple bells

They used to play music on steeple bells,
chime on the hour,
call people to mass,
and ring in the new year.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D0CE7DD1F39E433A25752C3A9649D94699ED7CF

BELLS WILL CHIME TO-NIGHT.; Steeple Songs Which Will Speed the Old Year and Welcome the New.

December 31, 1898, Wednesday

Page 12, 1239 words

The chimes of Trinity and other churches in Manhattan will, as is customary, ring out the old year and greet the incoming of the New Year to-night. Because of the fact that the first day of the year falls on Sunday, the programmes arranged by the bell chimers of the different churches will not be as elaborate as usual.

<snip>

[Marrah_G]

13. Music can create emotion and atmosphere.

It tends to have an important place in most religions, but I am sure some do without it.