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Religious Music Responding to Conflict

Submitted to Program Units
1: Music and Religion Unit

Alisha Jones, Indiana University, Bloomington, Presiding

Abstract for Online Program Book (maximum 150 words)

This panel explores the dynamic role of religious music in addressing societal conflicts across various contexts and historical periods. One paper examines the use of religious music and practices among war-displaced Syrian Melkite Christians in Germany. Another delves into a hymn composed during the American Civil War by an alumnus of Shaw University that articulated a narrative of hope and resilience that resonated within the African American community during tumultuous times. And a third focuses on the period from 1880 to 1920, where Muscular Christianity influenced the portrayal of Christ in religious hymnody, transforming Christ into a militant leader. Together, these studies illuminate how religious music not only reflects but actively shapes responses to conflict, reinforcing community bonds, providing spiritual solace, and redefining identities.

Papers

  • Guilnard Moufarrej, United States Naval Academy

    Music, Spirituality, and Community-Building Among War-Displaced Syrian Melkite Christians in Germany

    Abstract

    This paper explores the role of religion in community-building and healing among the Syrian Melkites in Germany as they strive to overcome the atrocities of the war and displacement and rebuild their lives in exile. Drawing from Kenneth Pargament’s theory of religious coping during stressful life events (1997) and from recent scholarship on the relationship between religion and wellbeing among refugees and forced migrants (Dorais 2009; Ennser et al. 2018; Shubin 2012), I argue that faith and faith-based practices can support the moral and mental wellbeing of war-displaced Syrian Melkites by providing them with a sense of community, spiritual support, and coping mechanisms. Furthermore, I argue that the performance of musical and ritual practices of the Syrian Melkites are more than a religious need; rather, they are intertwined with a subculture strongly linked to a homeland from which these migrants have been uprooted and will help preserve their cultural identity.

  • LaMont Johnson,

    The Anthem of 1865: The Musical Response to the Violence of the Civil War and Birth of Shaw Universtiy

    Abstract

    The Anthem of 1865: The Musical Response to the Violence or the Civil War and Birth of Shaw Universtiy.

    Hymnody and religious music within the Christian church has often overlooked the wide array of genres related to the African American experience. Violence imposed upon people of African descent has birthed a very specific subset of Christian music, negro spirituals and anthems written by African American composers. This paper seeks to explore the "back story" of the Anthem of 1865, written by an alumnus of Shaw University, the one of the oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the South. The musical score was written to the tune of Nun dan­ket al­le Gott (Now Thank We All Our God), by a fellow alumnus of the same institution. The verses tell a specific story of the pain and violence the students of this institution had to endure, yet the anthem speaks to the hope and "bright future" of all who have been educated within it's sacred walls. A review of literature in hymnody, sacred texts, African American history, and violence during the period of Reconstruction will ground this research. 

  • Madison Lyonhart, University of Oxford

    Manly Hymns and Muscular Christians

    Abstract

    From 1880 to 1920 Muscular Christianity reconfigured the image of Christ into a celebrity persona, forsaking his divinity and recasting Jesus as the ultimate Nietzschean superman. The calls to refashion the image of Jesus, led to a reconfiguration of the musical literature that was to be sung regarding the Son of God. Jesus must no longer be represented as a servant in the lyrics of worship but sung out as a warrior and general who leads his troops to battle. Hymanals were created such as one created in 1910 titled, "Manly Songs for Christian Men." As the hymns and hymn books became disseminated in churches, no longer was the emphasis of church and Christ to be seen as a place where men were to serve and love their neighbor. Rather, with Christ as their model, they were to go forth as the ultimate American man and battle their enemies in the world. 

Business Meeting
Joshua Busman, University of North Carolina, Pembroke, Presiding
Alisha Jones, Indiana University, Bloomington, Presiding
Audiovisual Requirements

Resources

LCD Projector and Screen
Play Audio from Laptop Computer
Podium microphone

Sabbath Observance

Sunday morning

Full Papers Available

No
Program Unit Options

Session Length

90 Minutes
Schedule Info

Monday, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Tags

#gender
#masculinity
#music
#men
#AmericanEvangelicalism
#muscularchristianity
#Hymns

Session Identifier

A25-315