Goddesses of pop: Understanding God and Christianity in 21st century female-driven pop music

Cybulska, Magdalene (2024) Goddesses of pop: Understanding God and Christianity in 21st century female-driven pop music. MTh(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Christian imagery pervades the music and culture of western society, and contemporary female artists provide, in their art, both reflections of and inspiration for the culture which surrounds them. 21st Century pop music is globally influential and saturated in a culture of celebrity which is rooted in the instant gratification of the present day. In the analysis of the works of female pop artists of the 21st Century, contorted Christian imagery conveys the artists’ interpretations of Christian traditions and beliefs which have become normalised in western culture. The transference of these religious ideals into the realm of the secular allows for artistic licence which produces new, exciting and occasionally controversial art. These artists expect biblical literacy from their audiences and use established Christian narratives, characters and ideas to reveal their own expectations of God. These understandings of what God could or should be highlight the areas in which the God of Christianity fails to address the needs of 21st Century women.

• Item Type: Thesis (MTh(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion; B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity; M Music and Books on Music > M Music
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
• Supervisor's Name: Nicholson, Dr. Sarah
• Date of Award: 2024
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2024-84482
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 06 Aug 2024 14:05
• Last Modified: 06 Aug 2024 14:06
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.84482
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/84482