Atheist Music?

[Iridescence]

I don't discriminate when it comes to music. I don't care the message, if the music is beautiful, and appeals to me, I will listen to it.

One of my most favourite songs ever is Wings for Marie Pt 2 by Tool. The lyrics are stunning, despite their content, and I get teary every time I listen to it, it's that good.

Music isn't about religion for me. I can enjoy a beautiful recording of Ave Maria, as much as I enjoy Lilly Allen

Youtube embed FAIL!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU7H3...eature=related

Don't bother watching the vid, just listen

I believe, sung about his mother, who spent 23 years in a wheelchair.

High is the way, but all eyes are upon the ground.
You were the light and the way they'll only read about.
I only pray, Heaven knows when to lift you out.
Ten thousand days in the fire is long enough;
You're going home.


You're the only one who can hold your head up high,
Shake your fists at the gates saying:
"I've come home now!
Fetch me the spirit, the son, and the father.
Tell them their pillar of faith has ascended.
It's time now!
My time now!
Give me my, give me my wings!"

[Worldslaziestbusker]

I once had an idea that it would be easy and profitable to write songs for the religious music industry. It would be a paint by numbers exercise and there could be big bucks to be made - I heard that after The Wiggles, Australia's next biggest selling musical act were some god bothering rockers who got popular in the USA bible belt (can anyone confirm this?)
A cynicism deficit prevented me from ever acting on the idea but I still thought it was funny and was pleased to see the concept turn up in an episode of Southpark.
The music industry is full of sell outs. I don't mind this, for the most part, as it is a tough workplace to try to make a living in. Song writers hiring their work to ad agencies, talented session musicians backing talentless singers and bands signing unbalanced recording contracts all have to suck it up to get by ("It's only your dignity, suck it." Bill Hicks) but when I imagine there might be people who had the same idea as me and acted on it I find myself slightly unsettled by a concept I formerly found amusing.
Someone already mentioned Bach as a possible historical example but does anyone know enough about modern religious music to point out faithless forgeries?
WLB

[Mister Pervert]

Originally Posted by Worldslaziestbusker

Someone already mentioned Bach as a possible historical example but does anyone know enough about modern religious music to point out faithless forgeries?
WLB

I'm not sure of Karl Jenkins's religious leanings, but given his musical background (founding member of Nucleus, member of late period Soft Machine, etc.), I suspect he's making quite a killing by composing "spiritual" music while being potentially "faithless". Check The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace as a good starting place.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

I must admit I listen to Christian rock even though I am an atheist - because I do not care about the lyrics - the song sounds good.

The best Christian band I can think of is U2

Although I do listen to bands (not sure they are Christian or not) like AC/DC and INXS and Mental As Anything etc - and people like Barnesy

Supposedly there was a band called Sin which was an atheist rock band.

[Mister Pervert]

Originally Posted by Crocodile

The best Christian band I can think of is U2

It's funny you mention U2 as a "Christian" band. I never could stand Bono or U2 music but couldn't explain why. Now I can: Bono is the new face of the Crusades.

[Wild]

I've got some music from Beethoven, Jack Johnson, Oasis, Nine Inch Nails, and some soundtracks from films such as The Royal Tenenbaums, so it's generally rock, but kind of eclectic.

I really hate it when bands claim to be just regular rock bands but are clearly strongly representing Christianity in their music (such as The Fray or The Reign of Kindo). At least with Christian bands you know where they stand.

My other issue is that when I try to find atheist bands and musical artists online, all I get are music from people who are singing against religion, when all I want is music that has nothing to do with religion.

[robertkd]

well there are some perhaps many artists produced material that is influenced by our confused society so have those overtones.

there are many that produce material that has no bias or at least no xian basis. Even then xian iS lamb Indian influences may add some dimension say matthew shultz, some xian say tool 10000 days but usually in context or perhaps fear factory,... thing is you have to like what you listen to for the reasons you like listening to music.

[TWrecks]

Originally Posted by SinisterDexter

Also love jazz, especially big, live, bold jazz with international or ethnic overtones and a brass section with balls.

I'm sorry, I'm going to be the devils advocate here, ( how very religious of me??) I have never liked jazz, I just don't get it??? It sends me to sleep, it really does! Each to their own, eh?

[Wild]

An example is the Reign of Kindo: they make excellent music [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUPILO5ycqg], but there are obvious religious tones in their music, and in their album booklet they say, "We humbly thank God Almighty for His grace, redemption, love and transformation through Christ; His unending patience with us as we struggle in doubt, His gift of music and all of the joy that it can bring to this life. Without Him, we would be nothing." [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Reign_of_Kindo] (I put that in the article.) I just can't respect a band that don't recognise their own talent, who externalise it to an artificial and abstract concept.

[Wild]

Originally Posted by The Irreverent Mr Black

I can appreciate the song of the magpies on my fence, though, and I'm reasonably sure they aren't christians.

Hah. You never know, a sneaky bunch those ones — they're probably from Hillsong!