Zoso wrote: What the hell would you classify as being "Athiest Prog"?

I don't know. Any bands that are atheists?

John Lennon song imagine has a line "imagine there is no heavan." Although Lennon is not prog the Beatles are Proto Prog, he must have had some atheist lyrics somewhere, after all he did say he was bigger than Jesus

Slayer! wrote: Zoso wrote: What the hell would you classify as being "Athiest Prog"? I don't know. Any bands that are atheists?

John Lennon song imagine has a line "imagine there is no heavan." Although Lennon is not prog the Beatles are Proto Prog, he must have had some atheist lyrics somewhere, after all he did say he was bigger than Jesus

This is just something I've noticed, but alot of musicians tend not to associate themselves with any particular religion, especially many prog musicians.  Some are agnostic, some atheist.  Considering some of Meshuggah's lyrics, the writer of the lyrics was probably one of the two.  I know the members of Tool say they do not associate with any religion.  The band Atheist is mostly likely atheist...

I don't know for sure, it seems religous beliefs aren't a common topic in prog as they are in metal.

Lyrics like "Imagine there is no heaven, no hell below us." from John Lennon and the lyrics to Tool's Parabol/a seem to suggest one form of atheism or another, althought there are other ways to read it. 

Cheesecakemouse, you have to take into account that Jesus is a mythical figure, and in the sense that we know the Beatles existed, they are better.

This is just something I've noticed, but alot of musicians tend not to associate themselves with any particular religion, especially many prog musicians.  Some are agnostic, some atheist.  Considering some of Meshuggah's lyrics, the writer of the lyrics was probably one of the two.  I know the members of Tool say they do not associate with any religion.  The band Atheist is mostly likely atheist...

I don't know for sure, it seems religous beliefs aren't a common topic in prog as they are in metal.

Lyrics like "Imagine there is no heaven, no hell below us." from John Lennon and the lyrics to Tool's Parabol/a seem to suggest one form of atheism or another, althought there are other ways to read it. 

Cheesecakemouse, you have to take into account that Jesus is a mythical figure, and in the sense that we know the Beatles existed, they are better.

I was just wondering, are there any atheist prog bands? There has to be some.

Oh and I assume Opeth and Meshuggah are....so don't say them. While on the topic, is anyone here Atheist?

I don't know what made me think of this one...boredom i guess.

Wow! I would have never Gilmour was an atheist.

 I always assume everyone believes in something, even if it is money or power, etc.

 Jethro Tull was not anti-christian, just against the church institution. If you listen to aqualung you will find out he is very explicit in his faith God.

Rush does have some humanistic/secular lyrics I found Permanent Waves to be the case, but doesn't Geddy Lee wear the Star of David around his neck, whether for cultural or religious I don't know.

Yes seem to believe in everything, while Rick Wakeman left because he thought they had become too new age, which is funny since I saw a Rick Wakeman "new age" CD in a bargain bin in a music store, it was all about star signs etc.

 Jethro Tull was not anti-christian, just against the church institution. If you listen to aqualung you will find out he is very explicit in his faith God.

Waters seems to be against religion most of the time (Time, lots of The Final Cut, and I'm sure parts of his solo albums). I find attacks annoying, but maybe that's because I'm Catholic.

I'm not all that suprised Gilmour's an atheist. I really don't think many of those guys in the '70s were extremely moral people.

I know this is going back a bit in the thread, but Jesus was a real person. Now in life He would have actually been called Joshua bin Joseph, or something like that; Jesus is the Greek-ized version.
Obviously the miracles and such are open to debate, but He (perhaps technically the apostles) started the Catholic Church. (and it's a good thing too. More explanation can be given on that if desired.) He was executed by the Romans, and the calendar was later changed to reflect His birth. Now the mathematicians got it wrong by about 4 years, but nevermind about that. :)

SOFT MACHINE could be?

I'm refering to the Volume Two with Robert Wyatt above all the song "Dada Was Here" (lyrics in spanish) that has references to nihilism, being Dada an art movement that profess that kind of anti-religious.

I'm not all that suprised Gilmour's an atheist. I really don't think many of those guys in the '70s were extremely moral people.

Ghandi 2 wrote:   I'm not all that suprised Gilmour's an atheist. I really don't think many of those guys in the '70s were extremely moral people.

You know lots of them, do you?

What does religion have to do with morality?

(Not a joke)

I have a question:

Isn't atheism a religion?

Lofcaudio wrote: I have a question: Isn't atheism a religion?

No. Atheism is the absence of a religion.

Evolver wrote: Lofcaudio wrote: I have a question: Isn't atheism a religion? No. Atheism is the absence of a religion.

But some people get carried away and dogmatic that it may as well be a religion.

eg; the atheist worship of Darwin

I don't want to get too far off topic but... sure, some people carry atheism too far.  I know someone who actually made atheistic flyers & handed them out in subway stations, just like the born-agains.  People can go over the edge over any idea.  But most of us are quite normal.

Although I do occasionally worship at the alter of the true gods: Fripp, Emerson, Wakeman, Zappa...

ELP's 'The Only Way' has athiest lyrics that mock the idea of god and practices of Christianity.

I must  agree that most prog is spiritual though.

Deep down inside I don't think everyone is a true atheit, it's more because thay have been hurt in their faith somehow, and so go against it.

Frank Zappa!

Just listen to the third part of You Are What You Is!

I am writing in response to an article which was written by your reporter Jim Hankins in your issue of July 19, "Group seeks to show rock 'n roll Satanic." It was awhile ago, but the article was sent to me through several intermediary steps. Besides, it's never too late to discuss a matter like this, and as I happen to be a member of one of the groups mentioned, perhaps I can interject a little rationality and truth into such a hysterical exercise in propaganda.

Satanism. Now here is a word that should be kept away from some people the way you should keep matches from children and guns from jealous husbands!

There is a certain trait evident in human nature which some people seem to possess in greater degrees. It derives from a state of insecurity and low self-esteem and shows itself in the actions of those who wish to make themselves look good by making others look bad. You see it everywhere once you start to look for it. People who can't gain respect for their own merits feel obliged to try and tear down those who do. We see it in the failures who try to prove their aloofness by criticizing the actions of those who actually do something, or in cases like this one where the weak and pusillanimous prove their righteousness by trying to punish the "less-righteous."

A big advantage to such an attitude is that it keeps them so involved in other peoples' lives that they need not examine their own.

So these are the grim-faced hypocrites who are stirring around in the dark places of life hoping to find something - anything - dirtier than their own reflection. And if they can't find anything - no problem - they'll just make something up!

And here they are accusing rock musicians of being sincere and dedicated Satanists attempting to poison the souls of America's youth with subliminal messages of devil-worship. You know that's almost a very good joke! Almost.

As one who knows many of these "demonic figures" personally, especially some of those mentioned in the article, the idea of some of these sold-out, burnt-out, cynical, strutting peacocks being so deeply and religiously committed to anything (save their "image" and chart numbers) is also a bit of a joke. And a pretty lame one at that!

These nameless mercenaries don't even demonstrate that kind of commitment in their music: why on earth would they be bothered to go to all that trouble to put anything else into it? All they need (and care) to do is find a kind of lowest common denominator of commercial "acceptability." Yes, you Christian crypto-fascists, it is a joke! The only problem is - you're not laughing.

I'm not laughing anymore, either. I've started to receive too many questions and letters from confused and impressionable young people wanting to know if it's true that we worship the devil. Who is it that is corrupting the minds of young Americans?

Let us not for one minute forget that this is the same self-righteous mentality that has put itself to work persecuting witches, Christians, Jews, Quakers, Indians, Catholics, Negroes, Communists, hippies and capitalists down through the ages. There's always somebody to kick you when you're down. It seems like every group has taken its turn at one end of the stick or the other. From the bitter oppressed to the righteous oppressor is a very short step.

Speaking for myself, as lyricist and drummer for "Rush", and one of those accused of this heinous crime, I must object, Your Honors. Far from being a closet Satanist, I confess crudely, I don't even believe in the old b*****d! I wonder if that's better or worse in your eyes, Grand Inquisitor?

I can certainly assure you that my lyrics contain no "demonic" secret messages or cleverly concealed mystical commercials. Nothing like that, I'm afraid. It is not only absurd and pathetic, but it is also totally incompatible with my philosophy, my work and my beliefs.

I get all kinds of letters from people like this whose perceptions are narrowed and distorted by pre-set values and ideas, telling me the most fantastic things that they have somehow "discovered" in my words! As is ever true - they find what they want to find. Fair enough. I know what I put in there. It isn't that, and it isn't this either. Period.

I don't wish to offend anyone's genuine beliefs, as it is a fundamental tenet in my philosophy that people should believe what they choose to believe. It must be stated, though, that when you've "got" religion, like Siddhartha, you find it everywhere you look. And when you've got evil, you'll find it everywhere you look, too.

Ah! It's the old "recorded backwards" trick again, is it Watson? Ha! I'm sure you could play "The Star Spangled Banner" backwards and find a secret message there too. Wouldn't Francis Scott Key be surprised at your cleverness! How do you suppose he knew what it said in 1812?

Don't you think something as vague as this is rather like a Rorschach ink-blot, or cloud shapes? Interpretation is based on the perceiver's state of mind - not on any objective reality. An ink-blot is a cloud is a song - frontwards or backwards. One finds what one wishes to find.

Yes, there's something subliminal at work here all right. The subliminal and poisonous sickness that dwells in the minds of these fearful and pompous so-called Christians. And they even call themselves a "Fellowship." Think about that for a minute. Then think about what this paper and others have accomplished by giving innocent ink and paper over to this kind of drivel. You readers don't know that I would never even use the kind of grammar that these people have attributed to me, let alone the insipid and valueless supposed message. Listen to this: "Oh Satan, you, you are the one who is shining. Walls of Satan, walls of sacrifice; I know it's you are the one I love." That's disgusting. I mean really. You just know these people have to be sick. If you don't believe me, ask my Mom!

Deep down inside I don't think everyone is a true atheit, it's more because thay have been hurt in their faith somehow, and so go against it.

Cheesecakemouse wrote: Deep down inside I don't think everyone is a true atheit, it's more because thay have been hurt in their faith somehow, and so go against it.

And I could say that, deep down inside, Christians are just insecure, afraid and weak. So they make believe in this supernatural deity to reassure their fears.

I could say that, but I won't. I don't know it to be true, and am no position to judge the motives, and character of others who choose to believe, or disbelieve what they do.

 Well stated!  I've thoroughly enjoyed this thread, probably because I too am an atheist.  I came from a Christian family and even though I tried going to church on several occasions it was always an effort to force myself to believe in any of it.  My rationale being that believing in God or Christ was no different than believing in the Loch Ness Monster or the Tooth Fairy.  It is just fantasy and make believe.  I am more scientific in that I want hard evidence.  However I do believe that life exists outside of planet earth, though I have no proof.  But, the universe is so vast and complex how could life not exist elsewhere?  Of course this is just me going on another tangent.