to enjoy certain hymns, even though I am not a Christian ?

[vienna1981]

Lyrically, hymns are largely meaningless because of their subject matter. However, there are some very fine tunes to be found within. I like the commonly known stuff such as All Things Bright And Beautiful, Immortal Invincible and The Lord Is My Shepherd (we had the latter at my mum's funeral).
My favourite, however, is Abide With Me. The melody is gorgeous. But am I a hypocrite to have a fondness for something I don't believe in ?

Also, do Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art count as hymns. The latter strikes me as an African American spiritual. I don't know if it is . Thankyou.

Morning Has Broken was a massive hit for Cat Stevens in January 1972. A very commercially successful hymn. Later that year Amazing Grace was a big hit for The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (I think). Another big commercial success but does it count as a hymn ?

I love a fair few hymns. They are beautiful pieces of music and calming to listen to, and often speak of the human experience in one way or another.

If I suffer a particularly bad dead-of-night anxiety attack one of the only things that will calm me down is reciting Psalm 23. I'm not religious or spiritual at all and am quite staunchly atheist. I don't attach any meaning or significance to the fact that once in a great while I fall back on childhood habits of meditation, it's purely a learned behaviour. For that reason I feel no guilt at making use of whatever tool of relaxation my mind conjures up.

Vienna

That last one you quoted was sung by Midge Ure, wasn't it?

Maddening

Did you grow up in the 70s, in Essex?

Yarp. Well spotted. I typed that when I was off my guard.
70s and 80s but Yorkshire, not Essex .