Singing prayers of other religions as art

[Gem]

Let’s say you’re in a student choir at a university, and the groups sings various songs as part of its performance. Some are Catholic (Ave Maria, Pie Jesu), some are Protestant (African-American Spirituals) and some are Jewish, in addition to secular music.

Does it matter spiritually if you are asked to perform songs that contain theology you don’t believe in? Is it just art?

For me, the fact that it is sung makes it a little more intimate. And for me, the Catholic songs would be very prayerful. And for that reason, any religious song that mentioned another god by name would make me uncomfortable (there weren’t any when I was a student. I’m just saying, hypothetically.)

But the Jewish and Protestant members of the group never had a problem with the Catholic songs. So it is just what’s in your heart that matters? Since it’s a public performance, everyone understands it’s art, so there wouldn’t be any scandal.

What do you think?

 

[Della]

First of all, to allay your fears about singing about/to another god, Protestants and Jews worship the same God we Catholics do. They don’t believe the same things we do, but their God is our God.

And secondly, if you are singing songs in performance no one expects that you personally believe in the lyrics you are singing. For example, if you were an actor playing the part of a murderer, everyone understands that you are only playing a part and aren’t a murderer in real life. Performance singing is much the same, which is why the Jewish and Protestant members of the choir have no problem singing Catholic hymns/songs.

 

[Gem]

Thanks, Della.

I realize in the examples I cited that there wasn’t a different God involved. I meant more along the lines of a Hindu song, or something like that. But I get your point.

Thanks,
Gem

 

[valient_Lucy]

Thanks, Della.

I realize in the examples I cited that there wasn’t a different God involved. I meant more along the lines of a Hindu song, or something like that. But I get your point.

Thanks,
Gem

When I was Protestant, I would sing Ave Maria, although it did make me very uncomfortable. But I knew that I wasn’t worshipping or praying to her, regardless of what Catholics might intended. I just sang it.

As for Hindu, I’ve never sung a Hindu song, and since their musical tradition is SO different from ours (they don’t have scales, they have rags, and they have different intervals between the notes) I doubt that anyone would ever sing them for a western choir.

 

[cheddarsox]

I don’t think there is necessarily anything wrong with singing the songs of another faith in performance. On the other hand, choosing not to sing them could become an opportunity to witness for your own faith, if you are called to do so. How is the Spirit moving you?