Academic claims musicals are the new religion

EducationGuardian.co.uk | higher news |: "The Rev Ian Bradley from the school of divinity believes musicals like Les Miserables and The Lion King provide their audiences with a distinct philosophy of life, as well as entertainment. Churches have a great deal to learn from modern musicals and could usefully incorporate their spiritual and theological values, and the pastoral care they offer, into their services,". I wonder if he goes on to discuss the fact that a large number of popular modern worship songs sound like they come from a Westend musical? I would say that perhaps this is an unconscious aping of what is commented on in the book [apparently]. It probably also has a huge amount to do with the musical forms,: dramatic build-ups, tear-jerking chord structures and satisfying resolutions. Both the musicals and the worship songs are trying to send people home feeling uplifted and as if they have experienced a range of emotional states ...
Too cynical?