Hi All
Been following this thread since the outset, figuring I might attempt a few words eventually. Maybe I’ll jump in now. Hmmm….swan dive or belly buster? Either way, I gotta say:
I see Music as a multi-versed language in itself. I often wonder if the first Word ever spoken was “musical”. I like to think so. In fact, much of language is actually rather musical to my ears. Considering the fact that both oral and written Traditions dating back to “beginnings” continue to preserve, create and utilize what we perceive as “musical” in worship leaves me wondering if there might not have been more music in those grunts and groans we often attribute to the prehistoric folks who contributed things like fire and the wheel. And…indulge me for a moment, please…did Jesus sing? Well, probably at least at his “Bar Mitzvah”, wouldn’t you think? (I hope my Jewish friends will forgive me if I am a little off in my wording there, but I am fairly confident you know what I am trying to convey.)
Having been pretty deeply involved in the music ministries of three Protestant Christian churches of different denominations, as well as having a great interest in the music of all religions and cultures, I’d say that if one is open to a spiritual appreciation of music, one will no doubt find it. I honestly do not think that one person can determine for another whether an experience involving music (or anything else, for that matter) is spiritual or emotional. I think there is probably too much emphasis on division in this area anyway. I’m not saying there isn’t a difference, but it makes sense to me that a certain amount of emotion is a natural result of any spiritual experience. I might even go so far as to suggest that how we follow up on these resulting emotions is indicative of the spirit we perceive or receive within the music. I’d like to also add that Music is sometimes misunderstood or misappropriated. But it would take a lot of typing and thought to elaborate on that here, and my energy level is too low for that at present, plus I don’t wish to derail….
Even though most of my physical churchgoing experience has over the years been hosted by the Baptists and Methodists, I love the inspiration and beauty I find in Gregorian chants, in Eastern Traditions, in the offerings of a Jewish cantor, in the indescribable strains of calls to worship in many places. It may sometimes reach beyond my present understanding, but then that is what music can do.
Well, I’ve rattled on long enough here, but on a lighter note (oh the joy of an unexpected pun that just flows out from the fingers!): I have to comment on a couple of items in the thread. Regarding the “secret places” from which the clergy seem to “appear”: Hehe, I’ve been in them—they are just dressing rooms and offices where works and people are prepared for service. They are rooms that need cleaning and maintenance, and they are places where tears, joy, laughter, heartache, confessions, Love, Wisdom, and even Music are shared. And I can certainly relate to Victor’s comments about the awesome experience of being totally alone in a church preparing the music. I must admit that I was a bit confused about the exorcism comment in relation to the Baptists, because I have been a Baptist of a couple of different persuasions, and I have never heard of this. But I went surfing, and there it was, so surprise to me! Maybe I didn’t know all of this because of my gender or something….lol…
InPeace,
InLove 
