A common misconception is that music is purely for entertainment. It is however, not simply for this purpose alone. Gospel music, beyond entertainment, for one, emerged not only to entertain but also help the slaves express their hardships while living under the control of their owners.
Gospel music as known in the United States came out of the influence of African song and dance on to the traditional church music that African American slaves were exposed. Today, gospel songs are sung everywhere, from churches, heard on most radio Worship Songs Download stations and sung in almost every kind of gathering. Churches, however, are where one is most likely to see gospel choirs performing their repertoire of songs.
Gospel Music Beyond Entertainment and Solely for Worship
The overall purpose of gospel music, beyond entertainment, is to worship God, both with the melodies and with the message, which are often positive, enlightening and encouraging. Gospel music transcends all boundaries because, although art is purely for a personal purpose, this kind of music is not made for a personal purpose but rather for the purpose of worshiping a higher God. There is thereof re nothing self-serving about gospel songs. In fact, there is close debate on the secularization of gospel and Christian music, since one side is saying that music should keep up with the times and should be one that people will enjoy singing. The more conservative view, however, says that gospel songs are not sung for the entertainment of the singer but for the Lord and this should not necessitate a drastic change in the way that this kind of music is sung.