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I can't enjoy the religious Christmas songs as much. The nativity mythology is really quite beautiful, and I love the melodies of songs like Away In A Manger, Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard on High, etc. But I'm over-analyzing the lyrics now instead of just enjoying them.

Buffalo wrote:I can't enjoy the religious Christmas songs as much. The nativity mythology is really quite beautiful, and I love the melodies of songs like Away In A Manger, Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard on High, etc. But I'm over-analyzing the lyrics now instead of just enjoying them.

Yeah me too! I never really did enjoy christmas songs that much and now I really don't like them at all.

To me, most songs suck with a choir anyways.

I say happy fesitvus to everyone now instead of merry xmas.

Buy an instrumentals cd!

Why does being an atheist make you over analyze the lyrics and not just enjoy them.

Last week, the fam and I went to some nativity scenes set up at a Mormon stake center. I enjoyed looking at the artwork the same or more so than I would have as a believer.

For me, being a TBM meant there was one possibility. Today, there are hundreds. Beautiful.

zeezrom wrote:Why does being an atheist make you over analyze the lyrics and not just enjoy them.

Last week, the fam and I went to some nativity scenes set up at a Mormon stake center. I enjoyed looking at the artwork the same or more so than I would have as a believer.

For me, being a TBM meant there was one possibility. Today, there are hundreds. Beautiful.

Maybe when I've been an atheist for longer I'll be able to let it go. I don't know, I just want to enjoy the songs, not think about why Jesus didn't meet the Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament.

Haha! Me too.

One thing that has helped is to look at them the same way I look at Santa songs. It is all part of the current xmas mythology.

What was really interesting was all the religious songs at the public school christmas choir concert I attended the other day. Several Mary and baby songs.

just me wrote:Haha! Me too.

One thing that has helped is to look at them the same way I look at Santa songs. It is all part of the current xmas mythology.

What was really interesting was all the religious songs at the public school christmas choir concert I attended the other day. Several Mary and baby songs.

Hey, good idea. Thanks!

Hey Buff,

I'm nowhere near being a pro at this stuff but I really would like to share my experiences in regard to the OP (not that you asked for them). I grew up (as you might know) in a sheltered life and belief system. At times, I ventured out of my comfort zone (mission and travels abroad during college days) and found ideas and expressions very different from my own. Because of my background and beliefs, I didn't know how to approach these ideas and expressions very well.

When I looked at Pieta, I saw artwork done by a person that was not as inspired as my Mormon prophet. I saw a woman and her son positioned and posed in a way that was not necessarily sanctioned by my leaders because the artist was not Mormon. This caused me to interpret the art as sort of fake or cheap. It's hard to explain. Now, with my beliefs and biases gone, I have no walls or chains to bind my interpretations of things. The artist can be just as inspired as any other person on earth. He/she can be more inspired than TSM. That means a lot!

zeezrom wrote:Hey Buff,

I'm nowhere near being a pro at this stuff but I really would like to share my experiences in regard to the OP (not that you asked for them). I grew up (as you might know) in a sheltered life and belief system. At times, I ventured out of my comfort zone (mission and travels abroad during college days) and found ideas and expressions very different from my own. Because of my background and beliefs, I didn't know how to approach these ideas and expressions very well.

When I looked at Pieta, I saw artwork done by a person that was not as inspired as my Mormon prophet. I saw a woman and her son positioned and posed in a way that was not necessarily sanctioned by my leaders because the artist was not Mormon. This caused me to interpret the art as sort of fake or cheap. It's hard to explain. Now, with my beliefs and biases gone, I have no walls or chains to bind my interpretations of things. The artist can be just as inspired as any other person on earth. He/she can be more inspired than TSM. That means a lot!

That's a great story, Zeez. Thanks!

Buffalo wrote:I can't enjoy the religious Christmas songs as much. The nativity mythology is really quite beautiful, and I love the melodies of songs like Away In A Manger, Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard on High, etc. But I'm over-analyzing the lyrics now instead of just enjoying them.

Maybe it's a matter of musical taste, but I've always enjoyed Jesus Don't Want Me for a Sunbeam better that Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam