Religious identity through secular music

Playlists as an element of post-confessional lifestyles

Abstract

The digital availability of music enables the curation of playlists for both personal use and public self-expression. Of particular interest are playlists created by users with a religious orientation but predominantly featuring secular music. This study explores how such playlists contribute to identity formation by analyzing explicit and implicit religious references in song lyrics. Results indicate that music often serves as a bridge between religious and secular perspectives. Core themes like love, hope, and dignity reflect existential questions open to both religious and non-religious interpretations. Playlists thus become performative expressions that integrate individual spirituality with cultural resources. The analysis highlights a search process among young adults navigating a post-confessional context, distancing from traditional religiosity yet still seeking experiences of transcendence.