Theism v. Atheism in Prog

With prog covering such complex and varied lyrical subjects as it does, the topic of religion is one that appears here more often than in your run-of-the-mill genres. Do you find the appearance of theistic or atheistic views more often in prog? What are your favorite treatments of either side?

jwxlite wrote: I do not care, as long as it is good music thedn I am fine with either.

Exactly... I do not care what Sabbath lyrics say neither Black Widow's, if the music makes me have some fun, that's more than just fine to me.
The same as Yes and Flower Kings, even though I may read the lyrics as curiosity, the meaning on me is rather worthless.

BE


I know that wasn't even an answer to your question, but man that album...

yeah, it seems that there is a more jaded view of mainstream religion in prog (again see: BE!). I don't know how,  but people seem to take sub-themes in stride more easily when they are laced in long. long bits of music

So far so good.

Unfortunately I feel it necessary to intervene with a short message. I dont intend this as a sleight against the people who have posted so far.


To potential contributors to this thread:

any posts discussing the merits/demerits of atheism/theism will be deleted.



Edited by Tony R - May 06 2008 at 17:20

I'll listen to any band so long as my "inner detector" doesn't tell me I'm being proselytized to.  If I sense the band is in business to "spread the word" first and foremost, I'm gone.  There's a big difference between someone writing the occasional track about personal spiritual experience, and having a "mission" to convert others to their view.  The former is art, the latter is propaganda.  

since I think good meaningful lyrics are important (for music that has lyrics), and messages and themes music conveys adds to the depth and importance of music, I think some of the best prog can

Edited by Dr. Prog - May 06 2008 at 18:06

As a christian prog listener, and a free-thinker (somehow these terms are now mutually exclusive? **laughs**) i ALSO find almost all christian music to be boring, bland, and as ^ he points out, saccharine.
 Its not impossible to make good, religious music but so far no one has. Thats because too many people see the point of religious music to be NOT the music itself but the message, the lyrics. thats why the lyrics so often get in the way. They come before the music which only acts as a context for the message. bleh.

cacho wrote: [QUOTE=jwxlite] I do not care, as long as it is good music thedn I am fine with either.

Exactly... I do not care what Sabbath lyrics say neither Black Widow's, if the music makes me have some fun, that's more than just fine to me.
QUOTE] yep, same here.  I don't care either way, and I'm consistent with that...if you want to preach in the music, preach, but have some good guitar riffs behind it and I won't complain.  I hear people compain about religion in music, but they have no problem when a band preaches the other way around.  Well that's all too darn complicated for me, so I just accept it as long as I don't feel offended; basically I don't care what a musicians' opinion is as long as they respect mine and my neighbors

Deism* not Theism

It seems like prog is way more spiritual than most other types of music. Lyrics about a greater power or huge change are much more common than nihilistic or atheistic lyrics, at least I've noticed.

But prog is about the music. Christian rock bands may as well just stop playing and start writing poetry and essays, because for the most part it's just music as a vehicle to talk about Jesus. But a band like Kansas (ignoring the 80s) with religious overtones in their music kept the music important, like their 2002 album, and as a result stayed fresh.

I hope this thread doesn't turn in a "Is God ruining prog" part 2.