Church and State?

The other night found me watching a couple of political speeches on late night TV. Barak Obama and Hilary Clinton were both in Alabama for the commemoration of a Civil Rights march in the ‘60s. Both were speaking in churches there. That sparked some thoughts.

First of all, it was interesting to see Democrats speaking in, and embracing church. Much of the last election was perceived as hanging on “moral issues”, like gay marriage and abortion. In that day, the Democrats were trying so hard to appear to separate church and state that they alienated a big chunk of their voter base. And now, here are the two front-runners, speaking in churches.

And quoting scriptures! Both of them referred to biblical verses in their speeches.

Of course, Obama was much more in his element. He came across like a skilled southern preacher. He spoke of the work of Moses and Joshua leading the children of Israel to the Promised Land like he knew the stories from childhood.

Clinton, on the other hand, spoke like a politician, and quoted a more general verse about “Fighting the good fight”. She seemed a little more out of place.

They both, however, were obviously “preaching to the choir”, as the congregations in the various churches were cheering them each on. They were before audiences that were sympathetic, to be sure. These weren’t right-wing fundie churches, but socially active denominations, which tend to be more Democratic.

It will be very interesting to follow and see. How will religion play into this upcoming election? Will the Democrats be able to allow themselves to show their faith? Will a Mormon have a chance? How will the “Christian Conservatives” impact the voting? On both sides, it will be an issue to be addressed. I have no idea how it will have the final impact, though…

But that’s why it’s such a fun sport to watch!

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

The Songs of Zion

Scrapbook

Maurice

When I first got this one, my first reaction was, “Hmmm… A rapper that scrapbooks…?”

I started spinning it in lots of different circumstances. When I was cleaning up the house, when I was driving to work, etc... I found it growing on me. Each of the tunes is well-produced, and well-rapped. The timings are tight, and the rhymes and lyrics are solid. I could feel it. Not too preachy, not too angry, just enough of each to reach me.

I like “The Revolution” and “To My Buddy” the best, I think. “Buddy” is a nice romantic slow jam that provides some good variety to the CD. I also liked where he put the Beethoven in the track behind “Blackout”.

Some good, solid tunes.

My only complaint is that there is a bit of “sameness” throughout. I, personally, could stand to hear a bit more variety, making each tune stand out a little more. Of course, as I listen to many mainstream and big-time CD’s these days, I might be out of touch with what’s selling, as there’s a real tendency to package music in “similar boxes”.

And another thing!

I’ve noticed of late that there seems to be more happening in the world of LDS rap than LDS rock, both in terms of recordings and live performances. I’m a little jealous! So, if I’m missing something, someone let me know!

Want to hear Maurice? You can listen to samples or buy the CD!

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

A Testimony of the Arts

Woody posted a comment over at The Inner Dad, reflecting back on the post I’d done on Dutcher’s movies back in November, I guess.

His last paragraph really summed it all up for me:

“We should not turn the arts into substitutes for a true testimony of the gospel. It just isn't done that way. The testimony should come first, and the arts should then reflect that. Not the other way around.”

Amen, bro! The arts should be the expression of our souls, not the definition of them.

It works the same way with the listener. I’ll talk about it from a musician’s perspective, because I am one, but it’s really applicable to all arts.

No song ever made anyone sin, nor exalted anyone. A movie will never bring someone back to the gospel, and it will never ruin a life. ON ITS OWN. Violent games don’t, by themselves, make children violent.

Any kind of artistic expression resonates. It touches our life and it resonates within us. How it effects us can often depend on our mood, and our place in our life cycle. If we are in a very spiritual place, we will resonate most with spiritual music. If we are in a dark place, we will resonate with dark music.

Here’s the interesting part: Suppose I’m in a dark place in my life, and I want more light. Uplifting music will resonate with that part of me that wants more light and grow. Dark music will resonate with the dark parts of me, and that will grow instead.

So, someone that looks to a song for a testimony is looking in the wrong place. Someone, however, that allows art to strengthen a testimony will grow with it. Ultimately, though, a testimony comes from the Spirit, not from art.

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com