Socorro and 53 --

Perhaps singing will lead to believing, especially if that belief is buried somewhere deep insidee, and the song brings it forth (like an old fashioned hand pump brings water up from the depths).

But in my case, when I was a young teen, I tried desperately to be Christian, and to abandon my earlier beliefs in magic as not being suitable for the real grown-up life I was just entering. I even composed (but didn't write down) long, complex hymns to God and Jesus which I would sing at the top of my lungs (or from the depths -- singing from the top of your lungs won't give you much voice). But it didn't take.

I finally found spiritual peace and joy when I grew up to be Pagan, embracing my earlier beliefs.

But that's just it: the beliefs have to come from inside you, and not be defined by the labels those in the society at large impose on you.

I still sing a few Christian hymns, now and then (such as "Amazing Grace", "Joys Are Flowing Like a River, and "How Can I Keep From Singing?"), because they really are some of the most aesthetically beautiful songs in the tradition, but I don't focus on any specific religious teaching they express, but rather on their expression that life is a Divine gift, and the world is full of joy.