Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scott D. on April 19, 2011 at 7:27am

Music isn't just lyrics. I also enjoy Matisyahu very much.

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Permalink Reply by Horacio Martinez on April 19, 2011 at 1:05pm

I was just curious because I could just imagine some Christians going "You listen to Matisyahu (or any other religious musician)? But aren't you an Atheist?"

I just think it shows an open-mindedness for someone that is an Atheist to enjoy that type of music.

I mean, I don't think that I would listen to straight Christian songs that actually say GOD IS AWESOME and I LOVE JESUS.

And that is why I love Matisyahu.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah Emmaly Burgett on April 19, 2011 at 1:31pm

People who really love music (like myself) can appreciate all kinds of music and there are some good Christian bands out there. There's nothing wrong with listening to that kind of music and really liking it. Music is awesome!!

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Permalink Reply by Brandon Salazar on April 19, 2011 at 1:56pm

Thrice is probably the MOST amazing band I've ever heard. They are religious and I LOVE them to death.

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Permalink Reply by Kris Feenstra on April 19, 2011 at 2:52pm

I don't mind religious lyrics in many cases.  Religion is a part of many cultures and many people's roots, so it seems reasonable.

 

Samuel Beam (Iron & Wine) said the following in an interview (link):

 

I'm not a religious person, but definitely, I grew up religious and grew up in a very religious place. The way that it translates now into the songs is more of my interest in the way the country is and the people I've met and the places that I've been. I think it's a pretty important issue, a pretty important part of our culture; it's hard for me to write about kinds of people or kinds of places without dealing with it, but I'm not a religious person.

 

He's not an atheist either, but that doesn't really matter to me one way or the other.  The point is just that his music speaks to personal experience and observation.  Religion happens to be a part of that in some way, shape and form.  I think that's true of many artists.  They aren't proselytizing; they are just communicating an idea or an experience.  For instance, many artists make reference to God largely as a source of positivity in their lives.  Even if I don't believe in their God, that doesn't mean I doubt the positivity they experience.  A number of the hip hop artists I like refer to God, or Heaven in just such a way.  I know, in most cases, it's not metaphorical, but when I try to relate to the lyrics, I take the terms symbolically.  I may not always share the sentiments of the artist, but I do try to relate to the underlying message.

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Permalink Reply by Walter Maki on April 19, 2011 at 3:03pm

I have always enjoyed music, art and literature no matter what the meaning behind it is. If it is pleasing to the eyes, ears and mind with something that simply makes you feels good. It's all about expression. My has never really been altered by my past belief and now nonbelief. Shoot I liked RUSH for a long time plus many others that some would wonder about.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Lamar Sorensen on April 19, 2011 at 3:56pm

I love this subject and i think it goes to show that we don't need to judge anyone for their beliefs. We know what we like and what we don't like. The first time you hear a song you listen to it and either find out what it is because you like it, or you change the station and don't worry about it. Sometimes the wards are what get to you and you feel a connection with what the artist is trying to convey, or you make your own assumption of the lyrics that relates to you personally. Then there's the beat of the song, like Matisyahu's "King Without A Crown", I can't really tell you the lyrics but i can tell you it has a beat that I like and that i really enjoy the way he sings in it.

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Permalink Reply by Mallory on April 19, 2011 at 4:12pm

I wrote about something similar to this. My favorite composer was a devout Lutheran: JS Bach. Everything he wrote was a tribute to his god. I respect his music just the same, and hold a lot of it close to my heart. Music isn't meant to be talked about. It's meant to be felt, and if "religious" music clicks with you, that's totally fine. One of my favorite pieces is actually a Requiem, meant to be played at a religious funeral.

 

So enjoy whatever you want, and don't worry about the meaning it might hold to others. Concentrate on the meaning it has to you. :)

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Permalink Reply by Brandon Cure on April 20, 2011 at 10:50am

It's really funny that you posted this because I was just thinking abou this the other day. When I was a christian I was worried because all the music that I liked was "satanic" such as Tool, Cannible Corpse, Slayer, Cradle of Filth and so on. Now I'm older and an Atheist, I still listen to those bands plus since then I have come to like a lot of bands that are spiritual, in to woo, conspiracy crazy or what have you. So I figure that music is music and that you have just roll with it. For example, I really like Chick Correa, but I don't like scientology. So like take the art for what it is and not for what it isn't.  

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Permalink Reply by Walter Maki on April 20, 2011 at 11:15am

I can relate, during my christian daze I was concerned about satanic lyrics. Music is art and it is what it is so enjoy the art.

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