Some readers voiced concern about the ways in which religious songs have been used to indoctrinate children. They argued that the potential downsides to sharing such music outweighed the benefits. But I still think that,\u00a0as long as we do it right, these musical journeys can be excellent ways to develop religious literacy, learn tolerance for other cultures, and give nonreligious children a way \u00a0\u2014 should the need arise \u2014 to connect with religious children without engaging in all the belief stuff.<\/p>\n
But how exactly do we do it right<\/em>? Well, the same way we approach any other religious knowledge.<\/p>\n First,\u00a0we act as chaperones. We don\u2019t just play religious music. We explain what the songs are about, define unknown terms and concepts, and talk about why each song may hold meaning to the religions whence they came.<\/p>\n And, second, we balance out the religious with the secular. In addition to sharing other people\u2019s religious songs, we share our own secular songs \u2014 and then talk about where these songs came from and why they hold so much meaning to\u00a0us.<\/em><\/p>\n Now, you might be thinking: What the hell is a \u201csecular song?\u201d Is it anti-God music, or just 95 percent of rock-n-roll?<\/p>\n The secular songs I\u2019m talking about are songs that inspire or comfort us; that bring us closer to humanity; that touch on the purpose, meaning and joys of life \u2014 without religion.<\/p>\n We all have our favorite secular songs \u2014 and I spent a long time paring mine down \u2014 but here are the ones I\u2019ve chosen for my daughter\u2019s Secular Playlist. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do \u2014 and please\u00a0don\u2019t forget to weigh in with your own secular favorites in the comments!<\/p>\n [Full disclosure: I had to edit this list after I published it because I realized some of the songs actually had religious connotations. This was harder than I thought!]<\/p>\n 1. What a Wonderful World<\/em> by\u00a0Louis Armstrong (Thanks, Dad!)<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=E2VCwBzGdPM<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 2. Ain\u2019t it Enough<\/em> by Old Crow Medicine Show (Thanks, Jenny!)<\/p>\n![\"wondwo\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/473\/2013\/02\/wondwo.png\")
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