People are – especially in ‘this day and age’ (a horrid phrase) – hungry for any kind of hushed communion with others, and music makes that possible because it’s so direct-to-the-emotions. ‘Spiritual’ is as good a word as any for it, although I prefer ‘humanistic’. We’re social animals, and being in groups, sharing something special, makes us happy.

The church knows this about people, and has hijacked it to a certain extent. Can’t really blame ‘em.