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Gospel Music and the Atheist: A Love Story

It all came to a head when my Mom caught me listening to the "Joyful Noise" soundtrack.

We were driving in my car, and when I put on my favorite song from the movie starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, my Mom was a little taken aback.

MOM: Are you actually listening to a song called 'I'm In Love With You Jesus?'
ME: It's just 'I'm In Love With You.'
MOM: But it's about Jesus.
ME: I'm aware.
MOM: And you're an atheist.
ME: It's catchy.
MOM: But isn't it against your...beliefs?
ME: Mom, I sing 'Rocket Man' all the time and I don't believe in astronauts.
MOM: Atheists don't believe in the space program?
ME: I was kid...never mind.

If there's one downside to atheism (and some might argue there are lots of downsides) for me, it's the music.

There's really no good atheist music.

Plus, I feel really drawn to gospel music, probably for the same reason I'm drawn to showtunes or country music.

There's this passionate air of theatricality about it.

Nobody sings about Jesus in a calm, cool demeanor. It's always deep and soulful and hyperbolic.

All that makes it intensely appealing when you're looking for something to sing in a car.

That's how I end up screeching out "Give him all your love!" or "Praise his name forever" or "Up in the church with my homies!" --No, I'm not kidding about that last one. "Joyful Noise" didn't exactly get high marks for creativity.

Regardless, it's a lot of fun to listen to. And so what if I don't actually believe in Jesus? Don't I still sing about Proud Mary and Puff the Magic Dragon and the Purple People Eater?

(I'm pretty sure Proud Mary doesn't exist.)

Music isn't about what you believe, it's about what you feel. So I sing about Jesus, so what?

But if one day, Dolly Parton decides to forsake her religion and do an album for us godless heathens, I'll be first in line to buy it.

Comments

  1. Bomi shingsMarch 16, 2012 at 5:16 AM

    i love gospel so much that most of my music collection is Gospel, but i am an atheist. gospel singers sing with passion and sincerity that if you are a music lover you can not just ignore.I am not ashamed of my gospel liking because as an atheist i have nothing restricting me to anything. so i can do whatever i like, including listing to gospel music.

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