Serpent in the Sacristy

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by Serpent

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Photo by Karl Fredrickson / Unsplash

So why would I still go to church after giving up my faith? Several reasons.

First, I'm a musician. There are few enough secular choirs to begin with, and those that exist typically still have sacred music in their repertoire. For good or ill, Christianity has been a major source of funding (and therefore subject matter) for music in western culture. There's plenty of secular rock and pop music, and of course metal is rife with Satanic imagery; for great choral music, you're not going to escape the ambit of the church.

I've been a church musician for decades, in choirs large and small. My mind echoes with the music of Bach, Handel, Hogan, Gjeilo, and more; it's been the soundtrack of my life. While I enjoy other genres, that's not what I sing.

Second, my wife is Christian. It's important to her to go to church; it's important to me to support her in wherever her faith journey takes her, even if it's to a different outcome than mine. And if I'm going to be at church most weeks anyway, why shouldn't I continue to get my musical outlet in the church choir?

Which leaves me here: a Satanic observer sitting in the chancel, singing the hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs. Quietly critiquing them.

Or maybe not so quietly.

Hail Satan. Amen.