Since you seem to have a good relationship with your cousin, I would approach her honestly, and the first thing I would say is to ask her what song SHE wants. Because it's HER wedding, not the pastor's. If after your conversation she seems adamant to just do whatever the pastor wants, I would say that you do not have the time to learn a different song as well as you would like to in order to do justice to the ceremony. This way, you're not lying - you really don't seem to have the time to rehearse something new, especially not something that's supposed to be a 'powerhouse' and needs the shit sung out of it - and you're also making it her decision as to the song itself and your role in singing it or not.
I agree with all that has been said on the issue. Talk to your cousin and explain the problem. If she wants you to sing she's going to want you to sing what makes you comfortable. I also agree that weddings are about love not god so the pastor is an idiot, well just too focused on his god. I think you should also explain to your cousin that its her wedding you "want" to do what she wants from you but hymns or extremely god-centric music in a church is too uncomfortable as its not your path.
Find a way to analyze your first song and present it as religious symbolism. I don't know it but I can try to help if you want. Or find some other equally secular tune and make it seem religious. You can do it!
Becky
PS) I forgot you're from Iowa. I'm in Madison. If you're nearby we should hang out. It's been a while!
PPS) How the fuck were the songs of solomon any more religious than this shit?
compare:
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine." -- SoS 1:2
with:
"You say those words and my heart stops beating. I wonder what it means. What could it be that comes over me?" -- JG
ALSO!
Which is less Goddish?
"How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman. Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies. Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins."
or:
"I don't know how, but I feel sheltered in your love. You're where I belong."
Honestly, insert "Jesus" inaudibly into the second one, and it's obviously religious. Insert it into the first one, and it doesn't make any sense.
yeah, i say the first comment has a point. ask your cousin. if she says pastor knows best i want god cause the pastor does, and it makes you feel uncomfortable, and it's really stressful for you anyway during that time period, don't do it. keep your integrity and sanity in place first and foremost. you're doing her a favor, you shouldn't have to learn an entirely new song cause some guy whose made his life revolve around god is trying to make everyone else's as well.
I definitely agree with what's been said. Talk to your cousin - it's her wedding, not the pastor's. Tell her you want to sing for her, but you don't have the time to rehearse a new song. If she wants you to sing the god-centric song, it might be a good way to broach the conversation about not feeling connected to Christianity.
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Hope that helps.
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Find a way to analyze your first song and present it as religious symbolism. I don't know it but I can try to help if you want. Or find some other equally secular tune and make it seem religious. You can do it!
Becky
PS) I forgot you're from Iowa. I'm in Madison. If you're nearby we should hang out. It's been a while!
Reply
compare:
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine." -- SoS 1:2
with:
"You say those words and my heart stops beating.
I wonder what it means.
What could it be that comes over me?" -- JG
ALSO!
Which is less Goddish?
"How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman.
Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies.
Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins."
or:
"I don't know how, but I feel sheltered in your love.
You're where I belong."
Honestly, insert "Jesus" inaudibly into the second one, and it's obviously religious. Insert it into the first one, and it doesn't make any sense.
I've got more where this came from.
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yeah, i say the first comment has a point. ask your cousin. if she says pastor knows best i want god cause the pastor does, and it makes you feel uncomfortable, and it's really stressful for you anyway during that time period, don't do it. keep your integrity and sanity in place first and foremost. you're doing her a favor, you shouldn't have to learn an entirely new song cause some guy whose made his life revolve around god is trying to make everyone else's as well.
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