Religious lyrics ?

I'm little bit confused. I came from country where religion is almost extincted. In my part of Czech Republic, number of active believers is about 3% (something between facts and estimates, in the other words, I don't know anybody who do believe in god) so this forms my relation to religion too.

But I can speak English. I even can understand the lyrics, so I get one thing

Moon Safari's Blomljud, lot of The Flower Kings (for example Church of Your Heart, probably the most famous song), Neal Morse's Question Mark (totally religious) and some things from Genesis (you know, the name and lyrics, behaviour of Gabriel at gigs, saviour hands raised etc)

I love these songs, their quality is undoubtable. But for atheist like myself, doesn't these songs lose something from their message ? Doesn't these lyrics even ruin a thing for me ? I was just wondering, I keep listen to these songs a lot (try martymcfly89, my last.fm profile), in fact they're one of the most listened ones.

What he said.  As long as they aren't preachy.

Edited by Slartibartfast - May 30 2009 at 20:40

Morse is a little bit "preachy" because he has "found God" in the evangelical sense. Roine and The Flower Kings, to me, simply incorporate religious or mystic elements into the lyrics and music, an altogether different thing.

I never found Gabriel particularly religious, aside from Passion which is, after all, a soundtrack to a story of Christ, but this is without lyrics. I still haven't figured out what The Lamb is about after all these years, but I sense a science fiction/mystical undercurrent rather than anything overtly religious. Much of his early Genesis work dealt with England as a past entity, and much of his later work with either personal issues or political issues, never religious ones.

Nobody has ever really understood Jon Anderson's lyrics, and these, of course, very much deal with his own spiritual journey. On virtually every sleevenote for the past twenty years or so, he dedicates much of his music to "The Divine Mother".

I enjoy religious influences or stories about personal journeys in any form of music, prog or otherwise, but I have always mistrusted "in your face" evangelical people. I find them too intense.

The T wrote: StyLaZyn wrote: With me, as long as the religious overtones are not in your face apparent (like Jesus I love you and you are my saviour), I can deal with it.  I can't tolerate Neal Morse. He should make all his solo material available as instrumentals.   I agree with this. Except the Morse-as-instrumental part. I think in "Sola Scriptura" his work was amazing. Yes, the lyrics are a little nonsensical for my point of view but the music is great.   By the way, that statistic you provided of your country is very interesting. And from my perspective, something to imitate.   Going back to prog, I could (actually, I would) tolerate  even preachy lyrics if the music was incredibly good. It doesn't happen too often though.

Ultimately that's why I don't bother with Christian rock.  But hey if there is anything out there with good music but preachy lyrics, I'd be willing to give it a listen.


Edited by Slartibartfast - May 30 2009 at 20:39

I think "preachy" is a lame ass euphemism.

Religion and spirituality are OK, make Prog richer.

Edited by Ivan_Melgar_M - May 28 2009 at 16:36

Slartibartfast wrote: Epignosis wrote: I think "preachy" is a lame ass euphemism. If that's a euphemism, what do you think I really mean?

"Preachy" doesn't have to be restricted to Christian lyrics.  Anything telling me to do anything can be "preachy."

Most Morse lyrics (and Livgren lyrics) are not preachy, despite what others say.  They simply describe a biblical perspective of life.  If you don't like it, pass on it.

Ivan_Melgar_M wrote: Epignosis wrote: Most Morse lyrics (and Livgren lyrics) are not preachy, despite what others say.  They simply describe a biblical perspective of life.  If you don't like it, pass on it.   Sure, telling people the Pope has horns and that the Holy Saints of Catholic Church are Roman Gods with a diferent name is not preaching against other faith.   Livegren on the other hand is very moderate.   Iván

Context, Ivan, context.

Most evangelistic Christians are not (or would not be) happy with the idea of selling indulgences.  Which is partly what Sola Scripture is about.

Epignosis wrote: "Preachy" doesn't have to be restricted to Christian lyrics.  Anything telling me to do anything can be "preachy."

Epignosis wrote: Context, Ivan, context. Most evangelistic Christians are not (or would not be) happy with the idea of selling indulgences.  Which is partly what Sola Scripture is about.