Music Lane

Posted by Mike M. (i) on June 01, 2000 at 05:49:55:

In Reply to: Re: Music and spirituality posted by Scott W on May 31, 2000 at 12:18:15:

Thanks Scott. First of all, I'm not a philosopher (although, from afar, I do love wisdom ), I'm only speaking from my own personal experience.

The first statement is self-explanatory. Moral values should transcend cultural values. I only said that moral values haven't changed since I was a teenager, because that was the comparison my son made. He believes that we were so naive or innocent in the '60s, that in some way the bar has been raised (or lowered, actually) with regard to the level of transgressions that are accepted. I suppose things have deteriorated culturally and societally, with school shootings, etc.., but the need to maintain our values remains. Kids always fall back on - "everyone does it" as a rationalization. So? Its tougher out there, the rules may be changing... but the goal is the same - we have to strive to maintain personal moral values, regardless of the cultural signals.

The second statement, and this is where my personal experiences come in - I simply just don't believe that any organized religion, or organized religion in general - has a monopoly on having a connection with God. I spent a lot of years in churches and never felt the Presence. It wasn't until it became an intimate, personal need for me that I was able to develop any spirituality. I believe its that way for many others, too. I'm not criticizing organized religion; I think they are fine for those who find what they need through them, but they are simply NOT the ONLY way. There are other ways, more personal ways, and in at least my own experience, more effective ways to live a moral, ethical life (or try to, at least). So... the same holds true for the cultural values. I'm very very nervous concerning censorship, very wary of those who believe self-righteously that they know better than the rest of us. It may be the "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" idea, but I believe divinity is present in all music. Who has the correct interpretation of what music is or is not moral, spiritual, or God-given? Does music have to be "religious" music by definition in order to be spiritual? Is Amy Grant really more divinely inspired than John Coltrane? Is she even more spiritually driven or more divinely inspired than say Charlie Parker, who struggled and ultimately destroyed himself through drug abuse? I don't happen to think so, and in fact I more easily sense the spark of divinity in the heightened creativity of jazz. I suppose its that way as well for classical music, or for that matter, any serious music.

But wait, don't get me wrong about a group or gov't not pushing their ideas of morals... unfortunately not everyone has the same sense or interpretation of right / wrong !! So we do unfortunately have to enforce some of our mutually decided upon moral values (laws).

There are many facets of these topics, they make for good discussions, and a thin line seperates the positions we can take on either side of debating them.

Mike M