Do musical lyrics influence religious/atheism?

[cronus]

I've got most all Van Morrison's back catalog and there's a host of other singer/songwriters who reference religion/quasi-spiritual stuff, some maybe from taking those drugs that take them places the common man never goes. At the end of the day we leave behind the fairytales Dawkins is all serious about at present. And replace them with grown up 'songster ear worms' but are these doing harm in some way to the rational intellect? I can listen to the words of songs but then do they make me someone I'd rather not be?

[Hermit]

It's a bit of a chicken and egg situation. In my opinion religious content in popular music is not much more than a reflection of the social environment. I'm actually pleased how little religion there is in their lyrics, given that around 70% of the western world's population is still (at least nominally) religious. More effective would be outfits like Hillsong and the Gospel strand, but in those cases the music is just one part of proselytising activities.

[cronus]

Could be my endtimes fascination stems from religious lyrics rather than climate change, resource depletion, nuclear stockpiles in unsteady hands, over-population, plague and the sixth mass extinction?

[Svartalf]

Well, when you hear Bach, you wish there were a real god to deserve such beauty.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Well, when you hear Bach, you wish there were a real god to deserve such beauty.

If there were a god, I would much rather the cunt had to listen to Abide with Me, dirged out by an FA Cup crowd, most of whom can barely read the words.

[Svartalf]

You're a cruel, cruel man.

I still like JS Bach.

[cronus]

You're a cruel, cruel man.

I still like JS Bach.

Always came across a little repetitive for me, and narrow in range/style. Might have been different if he had access to modern instruments and amps?

[Svartalf]

Bach on harpsichord is maybe the music I like best next to O Carolan and traditional Irish/Scottish music on the harp, you don't really need modern instruments or electronics to do great music, though I'd like to see what Mozart would do if he had modern means at his disposal.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

I think Cliff Richard's Lyrics did much more to make me an atheist than Rush's.

[klr]

I think Cliff Richard's Lyrics did much more to make me an atheist than Rush's.

She's just a devil woman, with evil on her mind ...

[Hermit]

Well, when you hear Bach, you wish there were a real god to deserve such beauty.

Heh. About 50 of my CDs are Bach (J.S.) recordings. I do think, though, that he would have composed much the same music had he been a closet atheist. His sons were pretty good too, especially C.P.E.

[Tero]

Songwriters deal with feelings. Religion is feelings.

[cronus]

Songwriters deal with feelings. Religion is feelings.

feelings is religion....and don't those dirty old priests know it.

[surreptitious57]

Being An Atheist Does Not Stop Me Listening To Classic Rock With Religious Lyrics

Simple Man : Lynyrd Skynyrd / Sympathy For The Devil : The Rolling Stones

Number Of The Beast : Iron Maiden / In My Time Of Dying : Led Zeppelin

Knocking On Heavens Door : Guns And Roses / Prophet Song : Queen

Mercedes Benz : Janis Joplin / Heaven And Hell : Black Sabbath

Angel : Jimi Hendrix / God Gave Rock And Roll To You : Kiss

[JimC]

No.