Singing Gospel

MY CAREER singing in a gospel group, which has now lasted more than two years, may be coming to an end. Great though gospel music may be, there are undoubtedly other great kinds of music; classical, rock, jazz, country, and so on and so forth. Maybe its time to branch out, try something different. I have always loved singing, usually by myself, and singing with other people was new to me, and really, still is, although I feel I am just starting to get used to it. I have a good freind who has a karoake machine, and yes, karoake is a complete blast, a real hoot, as they say. Still, I prefer singing all by my lonesome...Each week the first song teh gosple group sings is: "I Shall Not Be Moved". Its a tradition. Its also a damned good gospel song, lively, energetic, affirmative, a testament to the enduring loyalty of the votary. But there is also another, very real, very valid way of looking at it, one that the faithful doubtless considered or don't care if they have. The Song is, in essence, a celebration of narrow mindedness. Rooted in Jehovah, I shall not be moved....I refuse to even consider the posibility that my personal beliefs are not all corrrect, or that they could be improved. I refuse to learn and grow. I shall not be changed, even for the better. That atttitude I don't like. And then of course I have railed before about my aversion to crucifixion theology. None of the songs rejoicing about being saved by having my sins washed away by the blood of Christ, - and there are many of them - I could do without, gladly. The bloody tortorous death part simply does not appeal to me, or give me comfort or a great sense of gratitude and rejoicing, Rather, it horrifies and disgusts me. Also, I object to the many references in gospel songs which talk about the poor, lost, unredeemed sinners I won't be seeing when I get to the promised land, the land of Canaan, Beulah land, Heaven's Jubilee! Als I have told many people how much I dearly love my favorite gospel song, "How Great Thou Art", so, no, its not a one way street. What I like about How Great Thou Art is the positive, praisful message about the wonder and beauty of nature and its creator. For me, the proper attitude about God is love, gratitude, and humble admiration, not fear and worship, both of which I consider extreme and irrational.