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Ambient Hurricanes View Drop Down

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Posted: February 26 2012 at 20:35

infocat wrote:

What are these alleged anti-Christian Rush lyrics?

To list some songs:

Freewill

Roll the Bones

Totem

Anagram (maybe?)

Armor and Sword

Faithless

The Way the Wind Blows

Malignant Narcissism (the video)

BU2B

I love dogs, I've always loved dogs

Textbook

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Posted: February 26 2012 at 21:24

Rush aren't specifically anti-Christian, they're anti-religion. From 2112 (surprised you left that off the list) onwards, there's usually a few lyrics on each album which cast aspersions on the whole business.

If you want to hear some anti-Christian stuff, meet Slayer.

Edited by Textbook - February 26 2012 at 21:25

Ambient Hurricanes View Drop Down

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Posted: February 26 2012 at 21:45

Textbook wrote:

Rush aren't specifically anti-Christian, they're anti-religion. From 2112 (surprised you left that off the list) onwards, there's usually a few lyrics on each album which cast aspersions on the whole business.

If you want to hear some anti-Christian stuff, meet Slayer.

I left 2112 off the list because, though it has anti-religious overtones, it's not specifically directed towards religion. Neil Peart said that the song was more about musical freedom than politics, and I've never heard him comment on any religious aspect of the song.

And no thanks, I don't particularly want to hear any anti-Christian music. What are you doing recommending it on the faith-based music thread, anyway? Wink

I love dogs, I've always loved dogs

Slaughternalia View Drop Down

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Posted: February 26 2012 at 22:22

Ambient Hurricanes wrote:

What are you doing recommending it on the faith-based music thread, anyway? Wink

The post was there to compare the ever so slight anti-religious undertones of Rush to an actual anti-christian band. Not to recommend anti-christian music to anyone.

I'm so mad that you enjoy a certain combination of noises that I don't

Epignosis

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Posted: February 26 2012 at 22:32

Ambient Hurricanes wrote:

infocat wrote:

What are these alleged anti-Christian Rush lyrics?

To list some songs:

Freewill

Roll the Bones

Totem

Anagram (maybe?)

Armor and Sword

Faithless

The Way the Wind Blows

Malignant Narcissism (the video)

BU2B

Very few of these songs even come close to criticizing Christianity.

Indeed, I would ask this: Are Rush's lyrics internally consistent? They probably are not, and I'm okay with that.

https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays

JJLehto

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Posted: February 26 2012 at 22:45

Textbook wrote:

If you want to hear some anti-Christian stuff, meet Slayer.

Of course if you can find some anti-Christian sentiment in prog, it would probably be delivered in a more eloquent and pondering manner than Slayer's 13 year old, profanity laced rambles LOL

The Truth

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Posted: February 26 2012 at 22:56

Semi-prog indie folk group The Middle East has some pretty Christian-influenced songs:

2dogs

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Posted: February 27 2012 at 00:49

Some of you may enjoy the "Jesus Christ Superstars" album by Laibach, which explores the darker side of Christianity in a loud, industrial metal style, backed by synths and operatic singing. The lyrics are well thought out and some are quite thought provoking e.g. putting forward the point of view of Judas. The apocalyptic "God Is God" would be a good starter to check out.

Drudelo

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Posted: February 27 2012 at 17:35

The album Caedmon by Caedmon.

LirazelsOdyssey View Drop Down

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Posted: February 27 2012 at 18:09

< ="text/" ="" ="/B1D671CF-E532-4481-99AA-19F420D90332etdefender/huidhui.js?0=0&0=0&0=0">

Ambient Hurricanes wrote:

^How intelligent of me, to post Lirazel's quote and then forget to type my message Embarrassed

I totally agree with the above statement. I can't stand most contemporary Christian music, because either the lyrics are shallow and disrespectful or the music is bland and samey. I think that progressive music is a great outlet for Christian artists who don't want to get caught up in the mainstream Christian music scene and it's repression of true God-glorifying talent.

That being said, I haven't listened to much Christian prog, but I am a huge Iona fan. I have to recommend the album "Foxtrot" by Genesis; most of you here have probably heard it. I love the way the album focuses on human greed and hubris until the final track, Supper's Ready, when the Antichrist appears (Guaranteed Eternal Sanctuary Man), interrupting the inane, party-animal culture (Willow Farm) with an apocalypse/war (Apocalypse in 9/8), and then the flute melody breaks through like a sunbeam through the clouds and Christ returns, shattering the chaos and fulfilling the longing for peace expressed throughout the entire album. To me, this is very encouraging to my faith; it helps me to pray from my heart: "Thy kingdom come!"

Ironically, listening to Rush has actually strengthened my faith, because it forced me to deal with Neil Peart's lyrics, which were critical of Christianity, and having to answer the questions he raised made me even more confident in Scripture and in my Christian faith.

(emphasis mine). I absolutely agree!!! I'm putting Foxtrot on my ipod in just a sec so I can listen to it in depth. Haven't done that yet even though I have it. When it comes to Genesis, I was blown away by their album Trespass. I laid there one day when I was in a big emotional funk and I swear the whole album was like an apropos conversation between God and me.. (thats how I roll. I hear God in music lyrics all the time since I was a kid. First time was John Denver's Lady... and NO I've been repeatedly reassured by multiple people, both professional and not, that I am not psychotic and don't have schizophrenia Clap

)

Hey, I've even been uplifted and hear Prince's "I Would Die For You" as a song sung by Jesus to me.. AND have been laughed at by other Christians because of it.

To me, God is all around me just waiting for a chance to speak through everything if I would but listen. You have to listen with more than just your ears. You also have to expect to hear.

Lirazel

Through forest dreary... Down paths of dread... Through vales of sorrow...
By dusk and dawning...By noon and night...He searches for me...

Ah Lirazel
My Love, he calls
Ah Lirazel
Oh return to me

LirazelsOdyssey View Drop Down

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Posted: February 27 2012 at 18:47

Ok... some or all of you will probably think I am nuts for posting this but I'm gonna anyway. < ="text/" ="" ="/B1D671CF-E532-4481-99AA-19F420D90332etdefender/huidhui.js?0=0&0=0&0=0">

Ok so Neal Morse's Sola Scriptura has done a number on me the last couple of days and has pushed open wide the door between God's heart and mine,

I have long been lamenting the state of Christiandom in this country and listening to Neal yesterday (again) with my husband just unleashed .. something about how our time now somehow mirrors Martin's back then. Things about how churches are all caught up in programs and exclusive ministries and not about actually teaching the basics of sanctification, walking in the Spirit, the gifts, how to hear God, the supernatural realm. I came out of this listening being crushed in my spirit over these things.

But then another very weird thing.... Lately our community has had a rash of violent deaths and tragedies to an extreme level and I am one who has a lot of sensitivity to the supernatural realm (discernment etc.). A few days ago I picked up that there is a spirit of death over this area (Western Washington) (of course I struggle with whether this is a true spiritual insight or just my surmising). We started praying about this and this morning I woke up sensing that this rash of bad things has to do with the Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier that recently docked here. Anyway, at the moment I got that, severe chest pain hit me along with one line from Neal's album yesterday, looping over and over... " In the name of God you must die". The pain got worse and worse until I treated it like this spirit of death, confronted it and sent it packing.. or rather God did.. to him be the Glory forever. The chest pain left immediately.

Anyway.. this may seem totally off topic but it speaks to the power of music and the power and awesomeness of this particular artist. If this subject is too off topic or people want to just discuss some of these things privately feel free to PM me or email me. I definitely don't want to get off on a rabbit trail about whether or not God is real or how I must be delusional or whatever.

Lirazel

Through forest dreary... Down paths of dread... Through vales of sorrow...
By dusk and dawning...By noon and night...He searches for me...

Ah Lirazel
My Love, he calls
Ah Lirazel
Oh return to me

AlexDOM

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Posted: February 27 2012 at 20:07

Bad things like that happen because we live in a fallen world with sin.

Speaking of Morse, he has a song called the prince of the power of the air, and that's is who is ruling. God is allowing the devil now to have power over the earth, but God is always in control period.

Yes I agree music can be a powerful too, and Morse is really sweet, my favorite artist. Very humble and nice guy, met him twice...

But I think this really refers to the power of Him!!!

infocat

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Posted: February 27 2012 at 20:14

Ambient Hurricanes wrote:

infocat wrote:

What are these alleged anti-Christian Rush lyrics?

To list some songs:

Freewill

Roll the Bones

Totem

Anagram (maybe?)

Armor and Sword

Faithless

The Way the Wind Blows

Malignant Narcissism (the video)

BU2B

Interesting that only one of these songs is pre-1990 (as far as I know). "Freewill" and RTB are the only ones I am familiar with. And I wouldn't call those songs anti-religious. More pre-"think for yourself". Hmm, maybe they are anti-religious after all. Smile

--
Frank Swarbrick
Belief is not Truth.

Epignosis

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Posted: February 27 2012 at 20:29

LirazelsOdyssey wrote:

Ok so Neal Morse's Sola Scriptura has done a number on me the last couple of days and has pushed open wide the door between God's heart and mine,

Edited by Epignosis - February 27 2012 at 20:29

https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays

Epignosis

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Posted: February 27 2012 at 20:30

LirazelsOdyssey wrote:

Lirazel

There is a place here for such straight and narrow rabbit trails... Wink

https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays

Ambient Hurricanes View Drop Down

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Posted: February 27 2012 at 22:46

LirazelsOdyssey wrote:

When it comes to Genesis, I was blown away by their album Trespass. I laid there one day when I was in a big emotional funk and I swear the whole album was like an apropos conversation between God and me.. (thats how I roll. I hear God in music lyrics all the time since I was a kid. First time was John Denver's Lady... and NO I've been repeatedly reassured by multiple people, both professional and not, that I am not psychotic and don't have schizophrenia Clap

)

Hey, I've even been uplifted and hear Prince's "I Would Die For You" as a song sung by Jesus to me.. AND have been laughed at by other Christians because of it.

To me, God is all around me just waiting for a chance to speak through everything if I would but listen. You have to listen with more than just your ears. You also have to expect to hear.

Lirazel

I definitely agree; it's just like being drawn closer to God after reading a story with redemptive themes, even if it wasn't written by a Christian. I think that all good art, literature, music, or otherwise, is really a reflection of God's great story. All truth is God's truth.

I love dogs, I've always loved dogs

Textbook

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Posted: February 28 2012 at 01:04

Epignosis: Note my *not* marching into this thread to make "witty" comments and argue with their interpretation of the lyrics.

Edited by Textbook - February 28 2012 at 01:21

LirazelsOdyssey View Drop Down

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Posted: February 28 2012 at 05:10

Epignosis... thanks much. I'll go repost on that thread.

Everyone else.... thanks for not (openly) laughing at me. Embarrassed

One thing about me is I am open and transparent. Always have been and many have shied away from me because of it. Its okay though because I like me that way and those who appreciate it or tolerate it okay are the ones I want to invest in anyway! Big smile

Through forest dreary... Down paths of dread... Through vales of sorrow...
By dusk and dawning...By noon and night...He searches for me...

Ah Lirazel
My Love, he calls
Ah Lirazel
Oh return to me

Snow Dog

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