Sun. Feb. 17

We've been pretty upfront over the years about our agnosticism, in that we share, with Bill Maher, a belief in rationalism over religion. But we're also a jumble of contradtictions and have been immensely inspired by gospel music done right. Maybe it was Al Green who did this for us live at a Dorchester theater years ago. But we know it's possible to enjoy the spirituality of the music - even the message - when swallowing the whole package. Does that make us a hypocrite? One could make the case, but, then accepting cognative dissonance, is a foundation of being human, is it not? In that spirit, we're recommending what the New England Conservatory is presenting Sunday Feb. 17: The 28th Annual Thomas A. Dorsey Gospel Jubilee, with 200-voice NEC Millennium Gospel Choir featuring Music Directors James A. Early ’80. Also: The New England Spiritual Ensemble, the Mystic Chorale, and St. Paul A.M.E. Angels Without Wings children’s’ chorus. They're all promising to "celebrate the light of the spirit and the warmth of love" at NEC’s Jordan Hall,  today Sunday at 4 p.m. Expect a sound that ranges from deep Southern rural tradition to modern urban expression, which we have to interpet as hip-hop/gospel. One highlight of the Jubilee will be the presentation of the 2008 Anna Bobbitt Gardner/Coretta Scott King NEC Lifetime Achievement Award.  Tickets to Gospel Jubilee are $15.

30 Gainsborough St., 617-585-1122. www.newenglandconservatory.org