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I pretty much agree. But I have had occasions to visit churches that seemed to worship their music program, and the talented people they have as a part of it, as much or more than God. Some of these congregations have little or no depth with respect to their understanding of their faith. I get uncomfortable with that.

I understand what you mean. That's what I meant when I said that as long as the focus is on God and not on those things (soley), then I don't have a problem with it. Don't discount churches with extravagant presentations. It really comes down to people using their talets. If you have someone with a gift of lighting/sound/music/etc then God wants you to use those gifts. If they do so in a worshipful attitude then I don't have a problem with extravagant music and such. If they go in with a ME FIRST attitude, then that is where churches get into trouble.

There are some really awesome worship churches out there that really put a lot of time in their music program (also they preach the word and that is their focus). But there are some really great churches. Reaching non believers with an organ and piano might work for some, but for a lot of non believers, it doesn't entice them to a point to allow God to speak to them.

Music is an excellent tool for trance induction to facilitate the hypnotic effect in religion. That being said, I love the music in church. It’s not the music as much as where you allow it to take you.

Music has the ability to take consciousness on a journey or a roller coaster ride. It is the one thing that has both logical and emotional stimulus.

I recently attended a discussion where a pastor of a large 1,000+ member church(average weekly attendance) was discussing his several years of service and his upcoming departure. Sitting at the front of the room, off to the side, I was able to see the faces of the people attending. Allow me to add that I have the utmost respect for this relatively young pastor. I was surprised to see the dead stare and trance symptoms of several of the people attending as the pastor spoke. Without his even trying, several had turned into Kool-Aid drinkers. These attendees were college educated intelligent people. It makes no difference when it comes to succumbing to charisma. Never did I see the pastor take advantage of his position of power.