Conflict of Convictions

[wlotus]

I enjoy gospel music's chord structure, cadence, energy, and emotion. However, the misogynistic and homophobic views many Christians have turn me off so badly, I sometimes feel conflicted about listening to gospel music, let alone singing it. I wonder how Bishop Yvette Flunder is able to do it and if it ever causes a sense of conflict in her.

Comments

[shutterbug.livejournal.com]

I have moments feeling like this when it comes to hymns and Christmas music.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I wonder how common this feeling is, and not just with Christian music. For example, there are many artists whose music is great, but their behavior and attitudes in real life are abhorrent. Sometimes I can jam to their music, and other times I can't put aside my distaste long enough to enjoy their music. Other people probably have the same issue. But it feels so much more serious with gospel music, because it's religious, and the way I was raised, religion was supposed to be right all of the time, no matter what my conscience was telling me to the contrary.

[arkadelos.livejournal.com]

I grappled with this problem often enough in nearly every aspect of life.

My favorite symbol is the Yin-yang. In everything I find, there is something wrong with it but also something right with it. Sometimes, the rights produce new wrongs. Sometimes, the wrongs produce new rights. No matter how it comes, each part of life is a mixture of right and wrong. The key is to learn to appreciate those parts despite their wrongs.

I think of religions as humanity's interpretation of God and the universe.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I think you're right about religion. The challenge for me is to continue to understand that what I was told was the absolute truth is not; it is someones' understanding of things, and as such is imperfect. I was very compliant/gullible as a child. I believed what people in authority told me, and I dared not question it. That makes it challenging for me, as an adult, to recognize wrong in the things I was told and dismiss just the wrong, without throwing out everything all together. Throwing out the entire tub is far easier than fishing out the baby when the water is so many miles deep.

[tracied.livejournal.com]

Totally unrelated but I am stealing your icon!

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Go right ahead! I don't remember where I got it, but it's one of my favorites.

[inexperienced.livejournal.com]

I agree with your assessment and am two conflicted by the dichotomy that exists here. I think it may be that gospel serves as an inspiration, like many different art forms, that hopefully rises above the misogyny and homophobia to arrive at a common group somewhere...? At least, I hope so. I could easily be wrong.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

You are right. While childhood me was unable to separate the good and bad and useless beliefs and the music from one another, the adult me is able to differentiate and be inspired by what matches my convictions. So, I can take what works for me, take the good, and toss out what doesn't work. I was just caught off-guard by the conflicting emotions yesterday morning.

It's interesting that you would use Grace Jones as your icon for this comment. One of the churches I was a member of for a number of years and in which I was very active was pastored by her father, the late Robert Jones. I met her a couple of times when she came to visit her parents.

[ephany.livejournal.com]

I feel the same way, but I figure if I can't help head-bopping to the occasional M&M song, then certainly it's OK to jam on Take 6.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I certainly agree. :-)

[(Anonymous)]

I love gospel music as well, and I can see your conflictions. I keep in mind that I listen to it as an inspiration for MYSELF. I try not to dwell on the views held by others who also enjoy this music. That said, there are plenty of Christians out there who work fervently to combat homophobia, misogyny, and the like. Check out http://matthew25.org/ and http://www.sojo.net/

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Thank you! As a matter of fact, my church, The Riverside Church of NYC (http://www.theriversidechurchny.org/), has a long history of working to combat homophobia and other social ills. The ministers' vestments are even rainbow colored! It has been a blessing to be a part of a church like that; I can go to church without hearing well-meaning but harmful messages on those subjects.