Welcome to my website - Religion in Music. This site was created for a Religion and Pop Culture class at Memorial University - Religion 2812. Throughout the pages of this site, you will find various examples of how hit music artists of the past fifteen years implement ideas that are portrayed in religion into their songs and music. These artists all have big names that are known all around the world. They have been on countless Billboard charts, won awards as prestigious as Grammy's, and something that they all have in common - other than their talent - is the fact that they imply religious life cycle events that are known in various religions through the lyrics that they sing and perform.
Topics that can be found on this website include Sex, Death, and Marriage/Family. Religions such as Christianity have beliefs that sex is a sacred act between two people - an act that should only be practiced when these two people are lawfully wedded. Christianity also believes that adultery, the act of partaking in sexual activity with someone other than your spouse, is an inexcusable sin. The songs that were chosen to represent the sexuality in pop music touch on some of these topics that are considered "sins" in Christianity, as well as other sexual topics.
Heaven and Hell are two places that are often discussed within Christianity. It is a firm belief that there is life after death, hence why Heaven and Hell are often discussed and used as examples to people who practice Christianity. Hell is defined as a place regarded in various religions as a spiritual realm of evil and suffering, often traditionally depicted as a place of perpetual fire beneath the earth where the wicked are punished after death. Heaven is defined as a place regarded in various religions as the abode of God (or the gods) and the angels, and of the good after death, often traditionally depicted as being above the sky. The songs chosen within this topic all relate to either Hell, Heaven, or both.
Finally, it will be discussed how family life has been portrayed through music over the past decade and a half. There are countless stories and beliefs on how families are expected to act within Christian faith. Husband and wife are expected to provide material and physical needs for their family. They are responsible for recreation. The husband/father is a figure of leadership and security for the family. The wife/mother is an example of godliness and must do her very best to meet her family's needs. Children are expected to honour and obey their children. Some of the songs chosen for this topic describes families that do not necessarily live up to the "perfect" family picture, and some that are chosen are simply an ode to another member of the artist's family.
Topics that can be found on this website include Sex, Death, and Marriage/Family. Religions such as Christianity have beliefs that sex is a sacred act between two people - an act that should only be practiced when these two people are lawfully wedded. Christianity also believes that adultery, the act of partaking in sexual activity with someone other than your spouse, is an inexcusable sin. The songs that were chosen to represent the sexuality in pop music touch on some of these topics that are considered "sins" in Christianity, as well as other sexual topics.
Heaven and Hell are two places that are often discussed within Christianity. It is a firm belief that there is life after death, hence why Heaven and Hell are often discussed and used as examples to people who practice Christianity. Hell is defined as a place regarded in various religions as a spiritual realm of evil and suffering, often traditionally depicted as a place of perpetual fire beneath the earth where the wicked are punished after death. Heaven is defined as a place regarded in various religions as the abode of God (or the gods) and the angels, and of the good after death, often traditionally depicted as being above the sky. The songs chosen within this topic all relate to either Hell, Heaven, or both.
Finally, it will be discussed how family life has been portrayed through music over the past decade and a half. There are countless stories and beliefs on how families are expected to act within Christian faith. Husband and wife are expected to provide material and physical needs for their family. They are responsible for recreation. The husband/father is a figure of leadership and security for the family. The wife/mother is an example of godliness and must do her very best to meet her family's needs. Children are expected to honour and obey their children. Some of the songs chosen for this topic describes families that do not necessarily live up to the "perfect" family picture, and some that are chosen are simply an ode to another member of the artist's family.