Got any atheist anthems that you folks love listening to? I’m really all about that music life and I’m super curious to check out some atheist songs you guys might be into. Anyone have a favorite?
are you looking for just... good, secular, music?
or maybe you're looking specifically things that deal with religion, but from an atheist perspective?
Perhaps you're looking for songs that spoof worship songs?
Or maybe, just, like, worship songs that are just awful?
I built a little empire out of some crazy garbage Called 'the blood of the exploited working class' But now they've overcome their shyness Now they're calling me 'Your Highness' And a world screams: Kiss me, Son of God
I'm sure there are some songs about atheism, but atheists aren't really making their non believe a part of their identity. So asking for an "atheist anthem" is really fucking weird. Just listen to any non religious music, which is like the absolute vast majority of all songs out there.
Ooh, good one! I personally like the cover of Dear God by Lawless with Sydney Wayser. I agree that the idea of an atheist anthem is a little strange, though--like a song reveling in how many fairies there aren't.
Listened to this sing for years before actually understanding the lyrics lol - considering I was an atheist for even longer, I wonder if my subconscious knew and just didn't tell me 🤷🏻♂️
"You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that’s clear
I will choose free will."
I think that people arrive at atheism and agnosticism from various directions but I don't think its something that people are commonly indoctrinated with. That being the case, there are few hymns or anthems that need to be repeated, to reinforce the message.
The lyrics, "if you've got enough naievity and you've got conviction, then the answer is perfect for you," always seemed to resonate with me. I interpret them to refer to people who are born into a difficult to comprehend universe, full of far more questions than answers, who latch on to the comforting fairy tales offered by religion with great enthusiasm. I think the song is about how nobody really can comprehend the great questions of life and purpose, but people try to, and sometimes their ideas become religions. I think the song is about people who don't think for themselves, but who latch onto what they're told. Its a warning not to be comforted by explanations and opinions of others. Consensus is not truth.
Not necessarily an "atheist anthem" but I always liked The Seeker by The Who. It was used in Religulous documentary and I think it describes the atheist worldview in a way
"I don′t go for ancient wisdom
I don't believe just ′cos ideas are tenacious it means they are worthy
I get freaked out by churches
Some of the hymns that they sing have nice chords but the lyrics are dodgy
And yes I have all of the usual objections to the miseducation
Of children who in tax-exempt institutions are taught to externalise blame
And to feel ashamed and to judge things as plain right and wrong
But I quite like the songs"
song bites back, and the chorus makes me cry a bit
I've noticed two songs that are the opposite faces of the same coin:
Euthanasia by Will Wood. Line: ...and I know... I know it's not true. There's just no more you. But as long as there's no proof...
Notion by The Rare Occasions. Line: sure it's a calmin' notion, but it's a lie
though it is a bit hard to understand without concentrating due to the cursive singing (I always thought it was common notion until looking at the lyrics, and I do think that'd be a better fit for the opening line)
The Bible is Bullshit — Corporate Avenger
Dumb All Over — Frank Zappa
From God's Perspective — Bo Burnham
Fuck Religion — Propaghandi
God Is A Freak — Peach PRC
God Said — Anthony David
God Thinks — Voltaire
I Will Follow You Into the Dark — Death Cab for Cutie
Jesus Was Way Cool — King Missile
Kiss Me, Son of God — They Might Be Giants
Listen to Reason — Bryan Steeksma
The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing — Frank Zappa
Notion — The Rare Occasions
Thank You God — Tim Minchin
Vanderlight — Stop Light Observations
So if you come from a Christian background/upbringing I’d recommend the entirety of David Bazan’s Curse Your Branches. It’s pretty much a breakup album to god/religion
It’s a bit of a far fetch, and I might be a bit off here. (I know a better fan than me will probably correct me) But I seem to remember the Death Metal band Deicide wrote a lot of their songs about inconsistencies and hypocrisies in the bible. Albeit, mostly christian-bashing, if you will. So probably too far in that direction than what you’re looking for. They usually come across as a Satanic and/or gore theme driven, and while the gore is accurate, they have stated many times to not believe in satan either. …And of course you have to be able to enjoy the sounds of hardcore death metal as well, lol