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In contemporary culture, secular and religious world views can be challenged in today’s society. Religious and spiritual worldviews can be described as believing that there is more to the world than just the layer of reality. God, Allah, Brahman etc. are some supernatural beings of which the people of religious or spiritual world views believe in. Most of these views have existed throughout history for a long period of time, of a widespread area, and have shared their beliefs and stories through the generations. In comparison, secular world views includes the belief that there is nothing more than the universe we live in, and there is only the here and now. They believe that the world can be explained and is not created by a higher power.
The cultural form of music is implemented in many ways in today’s society. Music is a widespread and extremely instrumental art form that can shape culture which can be utilised to spread messages and promote beliefs in the religious community, or challenge religious/spiritual world views. According to the IFPI, the total value of the global recording industry topped at 19.1 billion US dollars. (IFPI, 2018).
Spiritual belief can be challenged in secular culture within music. Secular music has become extremely popular throughout the decades, and with catchy tones, and interesting genres, many of these musicians can spread messages that simply do not follow a religious world view. One example of a secular view that challenges religious beliefs in music includes “Imagine” by John Lennon. The messages that are implied in this song encourage listeners to conform to a secular way of living. This is evident when the lyrics state, “Imagine there’s no heaven. It’s easy if you try. No hell below us. Above us only sky…And no religion too.” This is evidently a secular statement because people of a secular world view believe that there is nothing more to the world other than what you can see. Another example of a musician that challenges religious world views include the artist, “Darkc3ll”. This dance/electronic/metal band promote anti-religious album artwork which represent dark and evil ideas. These include an album cover with an upside down cross, representing the anti-Christ, and two other album covers with gruesome and vile artworks. These album artworks challenge the opposite to a religious view, influencing their followers to go against spiritual world views, and implying an extremely secular view on society.Although majority of popular contemporary music is secular, there are some songs and musicians who help promote religious and spiritual beliefs. A religion which is becoming more popular in today’s society includes Christianity. Members of the Christian faith spread the good word of their God by writing thought provoking and inspiring songs that allow listeners to become closer to their higher power. An example of Christian music that support a religious world view includes the song “Hands” by Jewel. This is evident where the lyrics state, “In the end, only kindness matters”, “We are God's eyes, God's hands,
God's mind”. This song demonstrates that God is within us. That we can find God in ourselves, known as immanent. Jewel describes a reassurance that we are unique and can help promote kindness for others. Another song that promotes a Christain world view includes “I Can Only Imagine” – Mercy Me. This song is extremely inspiring and uplifting for those of a Christian faith, which is evident in the lyrics, “I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by Your side. I can only imagine what my eyes will see when Your face is before me. I can only imagine” These lyrics demonstrates Mercy Me’s love for God, and his strong beliefs. It is evident that this Christian song portrays a strong connection and supportive belief of a higher being, in an uplifting manner. Many other religions/spiritualities also use this medium to communitcate their connection with their higher power. An example of this includes Muslim music, with the song, “Ramadan” by Maher Zain. Zain’s song communicates the meaning of the most sacred month of the year for Islamic culture, called Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims fast, come together with families and friends to celebrate, stay away from materialistic pleasures for them to become closer to God.
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