Atheism in Music

[Dread Dionaea]

It's so easy to find songs with religious over and undertones. It's effortless. Secular music is inundated with them. And yet, it's impossible to find songs that show doubt and refusal of religion. I'm not talking the "Hay guyz I'm a Satanist am I scary yet? " stuff. I mean feelings of doubt and confusion, and accepting science. I'll start with one that may not be Atheist but is clearly Agnostic:

Artist: Seeed

Title: Papa Noah

Genre: Dancehall

Lyrics:

Old Papa Noah sat down on a trunk,

The first college of knowledge had been founded that day.

Tell me more bout that story, about water and wine

or let it happen yes happen like my mother say.

Big entertainer; hot drop in your ear like paradise.

"Oh stop the wailin'" the prophet is saying--

"Trust a guide ya! Open your heart now day by day.

Life will be more easy, just like Noah him say".

Try to save your soul

before you get old,

your body is fading in time.

What if Papa Noah was a liar,

just mystic tales of bliss for the youth to keep the faith?

What if no light will guide us higher,

would all our life have been in vain?

Old Papa Noah, show me the way to make it happen.

Hey, let me go to heaven that way.

Oh Papa Noah ! Hear what I say.

Him say pray, pray Sunday. It's a holy day.

Old Papa Noah set up the rules, built the schools:

Love your mother, father, ayy--

Don't abuse a friend or hurt one another

Then you'll go to heaven that way!

Try to save your soul

before you get old

Your body is fading in time.

What if Papa Noah was a liar,

just mystic tales of bliss for the youth to keep the faith?

What if no light will guide us higher,

would all our lives have been in vain?

***

There--feel free to post songs you've heard. If nobody does, I'll post more. I have a few.  

[Prince Rilian]

There's a song by the x-tian band Kutless that sounds like it's from an atheists point of view, because it talks about discrimination and x-tians are not discriminated against. I think the song is called Shut Me Out.  

[caustic 0_0]

I haven't heard much about atheism in music either. Only thing I can think of at the moment that might directly relate is 'Dear God' by XTC xP That's kind of well known, I've heard it on the radio several times.
Oh, and Aqualung the album by Jethro Tull has some lyrics that are more against the church and people I guess than actually faith.

And just because I like Nine Inch Nails:
"The clouds will part and the sky cracks open
And god himself will reach his ******** arm
Through
Just to push you down
Just to hold you down"  

[Prince Rilian]

c a u s t i c

And just because I like Nine Inch Nails:
"The clouds will part and the sky cracks open
And god himself will reach his ******** arm
Through
Just to push you down
Just to hold you down"

That describes exactly how I feel about the god-concept and why I feel sorry for theists.  

[Dread Dionaea]

Religion is horrifying for that very reason. I've confused my theist friends by saying that even the idea of heaven scares the s**t out of me. I had a good conversation with one who said that he was a Roman Catholic-raised semi-Agnostic. He said that he hoped that there was something, anything beyond death. The very idea bothers me, that life isn't worth living enough that you need a second chance.
Anyway, here's another. Although this one's fun and I agree with it in a base, playful sense they have another song that seems to contradict it.

Artist: The Dandy Warhols

Title: I am a Scientist

Genre: Alernative/Indie (Please nobody pick at this, I'm ballparking the genre out of a lack of real knowledge of what it is)

Lyrics:

In me the scientist
Always get stuck on always trying this
I try to live on science alone
Analysis and freaky sensitivity
We've gotta live on science alone
I got it.
Yeah, uh, I am a scientist
Yeah, uh, I am a scientist
Yeah ,uh, I am a scientist
We've gotta live on science alone

Religiously I'm speaking on the science 'cause
We've gotta live on science alone
I tell you what mathematically I'm having it
I want to live on science alone
Yeah, uh, I am a scientist
Yeah, uh, I am a scientist
Yeah, uh, I am a scientist
We've gotta live on science alone

In me the scientist
Always stuck on always trying this
I try to live on science alone
Analysis and freaky sensitivity
We've gotta live on science alone
Yeah, uh, I am a scientist
Yeah, uh, I am a scientist
Yeah, uh, I am a scientist
'Cause I can live on science alone
We've gotta live on science alone  

[Sanguvixen]

If you want music that is more Atheistic than check out Perfect Circle.

Thirteenth Step, and Emotive are two good CD's to get. If you like Tool than you'll have no problem loving Perfect Circle. There are quite a few songs on Emotive that are against religion....but in a good way.

 

[Dread Dionaea]

Eh. That's not really my type of music. I listened to it in High School and I've sorta branched out into other stuff. If I want to get back to roots and reminisce I'll try it. Thanks for the suggestion though.  

[S. Shark]

Tons of songs by Bad Religion are atheist (if that wasn't obvious from the band name.) They are the most awesomest band EVER. crying heart Here's one of their songs:

"Atheist Peace"

Maybe it’s too late for an intellectual debate,
but a residue of confusion remains.

Changing with the times,
and developmentally tortured minds
are the average citizen's sources of pain.

Tell me what we’re fighting for—
I don’t remember anymore,
only temporary reprieve

And the world might cease
if we fail to tame the beast
from the faith that you release
comes an atheist peace.

Atheist peace.

Political forces rent
bitter cold winds of discontent
and the modern age emerged triumphantly.
But now it seems we've stalled
And it’s time to de-evolve
and relive the dark chapters of history

Tell me what we’re fighting for—
No progress ever came from war,
only a false sense of increase

and the world won’t wait
for the truth upon a plate
but we’re ready now to feast on an atheist peace.

Atheist peace  

[Dread Dionaea]

OMG--I was actually going to post another song by them, "Shattered Faith". It actually was the one that made me start the thread but I was going to ease in with an open-ended song first.


Seeed's a band with a LOT of reggae influence though and considering the Rastafarian tradition I doubt the lead singers are atheists. It was just nice to see a song recognizing that the Christian myths are absurd.  

[The MoUsY spell-checker]

c a u s t i c

And just because I like Nine Inch Nails

How about "Heresy"? That's a song by Nine Inch Nails that's related to atheism.  

[Theophrastus]

Dimmu Borgir is definitely of the "we hate theism" bent.

To a much greater extent, a little-known Russian/Canadian symphonic black metal band, Tvangeste, has an entire album deploring the atrocities of the Crusades on the Prussians.

Quite fun stuff.

However, for things that aren't vehemently anti-Christian, but more promotional of Reason and thought, the best stabs I can make at it are allegorical and subjective at best.

Yet another reason I need to make a band. All I need is the time, money, talent, connections and people.  

[Meirelle]

Another Bad Religion song-- "Faith Alone." smile

Anyway, I also notice that songs about religious topics by non-religious people tend to hide agnostic overtones between the lines.
For example, here are lyrics from "Gethsemane" by Nightwish--

(for those of you who don't know, Gethsemane was the name of the garden Jesus prayed in before he was crucified.)

Prayed more than thrice for you to see
The wolf of loneliness in me
...not my own will but yours be done...

and

Forgive me for I don't know what I gain
Alone in this garden of pain
Enchantment has but one truth:
I weep to have what I fear to lose


And lyrics from Nightwish's "The Carpenter"--

Who are you? Man condemned to shine a salvation
Throughout the centuries
Why? Was the wine of the grail
Too sour for man to drink?

and

The one they lick
The same old sick
Dream of their precious saviour
Kiss them deep
And make them weep
Over promises of eternal peace  

[Ruminating Skeptic]

If you're creative, you can find atheistic themed music anywhere wink

I don't know of any specific ones... maybe "I constantly thank god for esteban" by Panic! at the disco.  

[Niveous]

Metal is heavy into Free-Thinking.
They like to tell stories and create emotions, pictures in ones mind.
The Epic kind that I loves so much.

This one is pretty amazing, by Gamma Ray "Revelation"


Save my soul from anguish
Drained from fear to perish
In this world of torment
Save me, please save me from all

We`re riding on a velvet dream
Through ancient lands we`ve never seen
Far across the hands of time
Are we lost forever?

Rules and religions created to hate
To fear and incite, not to love and placate
Compassion for murders, take God`s name in vain
A fortress of evil is built up with pain

[Chorus 1]
I... I saw the signs
Enlighten my mind
Time after time
Silent tears
Shadows of fears
Search for the one
Revelation to come

Silent tears in anguish and in fears
We`re searching for the one
Where we`re all coming from

May your heart be strong and true
For life`s a gift of love to you
In my visions I have seen
The world of mystery

Leading me gently to open the door
I`m searching for answers, can`t stop anymore
Bound by this passion, my faith is unfailed
I`m holding the key to the kingdom of fate

[Chorus 2]
I follow the signs
Time after time
Enlighten my mind
Revelation take me home
Where I belong
Home to the one... yeah

I hear you calling, calling for me
Silent tears are falling
On all that is real... nothing is real

On wings of glory we shall arise
Destiny`s calling
All that is real... nothing is real

Your eyes seem so cold
So wise
Lost before they`re old

It`s our creation
We build a symphony of fears
(no more damnation)
When you reach the ancient hall
Will you trust me when you fall?
To find salvation for your soul...

Oh, is this the end?
Or will I suspend?
I will be strong, Revelation shall come

[Chorus 3]
I follow the signs
Time after time
Enlighten my mind
Revelation take me home
Where I belong
Home to the one... yeah

Silent tears will wash away
All that is real... nothing is real
Do I surrender or is this the end?  

[Meirelle]

I don't think it was mentioned--

"Insanity" by Oingo Boingo. ^______^

Best song. EVER.