I think another element that is intertwined with Culture and religion is Music. It’s curious that the first book that the Puritans would publish in the new world was a book of hymns. There must be a reason behind this. I think, given that the Puritans were in a new world surrounded by strange people they relied on song as a method of uniting the community. This is a custom that is found in many religions. For example many Native Americans had songs for tribal activities. In Washington native tribes still go on canoe trips for hundreds of miles and sing tribal songs.
What could possibly be the practical purpose behind song in religion? I would argue song serves as a more interesting medium to tell stories. Song sounds better to the human brain than simply reading a story. It also requires greater attention to write a story in the form of a song. For a religious person they might feel that a song does more praise toward their cause because it is easier to memorize and recite.
On a deeper level having a group organized and singing in harmony is a powerful thing. The song may be sending a message with physical words but it is also sending a message by having everyone in harmony. The harmony it’s self is symbolic of religion. This harmony has a way of lifting the heart. It makes ones condition seem a little more bearable. It makes sense that the Protestants would find the value of this music because their condition was so difficult.
You make a good point when connecting the religion and music aspects together. I feel like when the Puritans came to the whats now known as The United States the Psalms where put into song. Possibly to connect what means something to them which is music. You said that the harmony is a symbol of religion, and I believe that you are right.
ReplyDeleteI think music is used in religion because it's easier for people to remember the message of the lyrics. Songs can get stuck in someone's head easily so the message is almost etched in someone's memory. Also, music makes the aesthetic appeal of hymns more intense.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the fact that you not only looked out the importance of music in the psalms but also in other religious cultures like the Native Americans.Is harmony a symbol of religious belief or a tool used to unify the group more thoroughly? I don't have an answer to that I just thought I would pose a question.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you take up the question of why music is connected to religion. I'm not sure that story can be thought of as always present in music. It seems to me like most of the psalms do not contain a story. Or are you thinking about story in some other way.. Explain what you think. The idea that harmony Itself can symbolize religious unity goes way back, and this point is explicitly made in an early Christian epistle that I like a lot.
ReplyDeleteReally great points, the oral tradition of song is really powerful and can be very memorable. Hymn began appearing in churches during the 7th century BCE., but why did the puritans decide to convert the psalms into hymn when they did? Did it have anything to do with their urge to seek religious freedoms, thus coming to the new world?
ReplyDelete