Comments on: A Musical Journey from Christianity to Atheism

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:06:06 +0000

The line “and if by some chance hell exists may I burn so bright” gave me goosebumps, and that was just reading the lyrics.

@DearAntarctica, I second your “Neon Bible” recommendation. I’m also going to throw in “Ring the Bells” by James; it’s a beautiful song, especially the acoustic version.

By: DearAntarctica

DearAntarctica — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:25:33 +0000

Also check out “The Virginian” by Neko Case.

And these ones, while not being explicitly about religion or the lack of it, fit with the theme:

Almost all of “Neon Bible” by the Arcade Fire – especially “The Well and the Lighthouse,” “Intervention.”

“Skeletons and Spirits” and “Now” by a singer named Allison Crowe (I think these are on iTunes?)

“Sleeping Lessons,” “Saint Simon,” and “Australia” by the Shins

By: J.S.Brown

J.S.Brown — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:09:01 +0000

The lyrics are decent, though nothing that most atheists haven’t thought and expressed many times before. I hate the music part of it. To my ears, it’s horrible. However, my taste doesn’t fit at all with the mainstream, so this might be likable to average music fans. It might, at least, inspire honest thought and conversation on the topic. Who knows what might crack the closet door an atheist hides behind?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:21:55 +0000

Matthew,

Thats a very beautiful song. I really liked it… both the lyrics and the guitar work.

By: GentlePath

GentlePath — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:21:51 +0000

I'm too old and too busy (and too much of a nerd) to hunt down good atheist bands on my own, so thanks to the commenters for sharing! Now I'll have more to listen to than "Jesus loves me but he sure hates you" by the Austin Lounge Lizards I loved Matthew's song. Definitely worth .99 to download! Reminds me of some of the heartfelt comments to the post about how people came to atheism. Every time I hear some stupid religious rant about atheists, I want to tell them to come here and look at that post. I know for me it's not like I jumped up and said hey, I'd really like to join the most hated group in America. But I don't say anything. It's a waste of time and I end up feeling stupid for getting sucked into a grown up version of, "You're dumb." "No, you're dumb." "No, you're dumb." It's very unsatisfying when dumb people don't admit their dumbness.

By: Matthew Terry

Matthew Terry — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:11:23 +0000

Thank you so much Richard. Yeah, the song is by far the most painful from my new recordings. I have been an atheist for about 9 months after taking the agnostic position for a little while. This song is somewhat based off of a fairly recent conversation that I had with my father-in-law (who is a pastor) and is also partly a hypothetical conversation with a Christian. My father-in-law was trying to make sense of an all-loving god and a world filled with pain in suffering. The two cannot be reconciled…

Thanks for lending your ears!

By: Richard Wade

Richard Wade — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:01:18 +0000

Matthew, your lyrics and voice are so full of disappointment and sadness I was moved to tears. It sounds like this is so recent that you still have open wounds. I hope you continue to write songs chronicling your journey on this road, and that as the months and years go by you can increasingly sing songs expressing peace of mind and the joy of freedom. I hope you find that.

Thank you for this courageous, passionate song.

By: Tim D.

Tim D. — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:50:50 +0000

Since we’re recommending bands, NOFX has been known in recent years for a more hostile approach to religion. Not quite the “Friendly Atheist” approach you might be looking for, but a refreshing dip in the Atheism pool all the same for people like me. A couple titles worth mentioning: “You Will Lose Faith,” from 2006’s Wolves In Wolves’ Clothing and “You’re Wrong,” from Never Trust A Hippy. The former actually mocks belief in God, whereas the latter just speaks out against it.

By: RBH

RBH — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:58:50 +0000

I like Kawlinz’s term: “faith-free.” I’m going to steal that!

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:25:00 +0000

There’s a wonderful ska band called Streetlight Manifesto who have some awesome atheist themes! Their newest album, Somewhere in the Between, is the most obviously atheistic. Their song “Down, down, down to Mephisto’s Cafe” is about being an atheist and the song “Somewhere in the Between” is about enjoying your life because there’s nothing after it. Many of the other songs speak out against religion as well. Streetlight Manifesto has awesome sound and meaningful lyrics… they’re amazing!