I just posted on the Iona appreciation thread a version of this post but decided to start a thread asking people what music they have found that uplifts their faith, given that they are a person of faith. I'm mainly talking about Christianity since that is how I roll, but if there are other faiths here, I'm curious about what music inspires you as well. 

Kerry Livgren.

 

Supernal Endgame.

 

Ajalon.

 

Epignosis.

 

Farpoint

 

King's X - some on their earlier albums.  Songs like Faith, Hope, Love and Over My Head and King.

 

 

Ok, maybe not. My mistake! Isn't Jon chrisitan though? A lot of the lyrics on CTTE and Tales deal with spirituality, don't they?

 

http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=231" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=231

WOW.... just........ WOW........

so much here is exactly what has been raging in my heart. In fact I was just like.. startled when I heard him sing... 

"Come out of her..."     I have been hearing God saying this to me for MONTHS. Just that right there.. come out of her. And here he is singing it.   chills.

Thank you for being the voice of the great HS. 

I'm on my face.

Wow, thanks for posting that! I know that feeling of sudden illumination when something just clicks ino place. As a person not committed to any specific religion, I was trying to talk about meaningful coincidences too unlikely to be mere chance  on the Atheist / Agnostic thread, but didn't get anywhere as the only people posting at the time were Atheists. They do seem like messages from someone or something trying to help you wake up to the truth, being delivered through any medium that might grab your attention.

To answer the OP, the whole of PA has increased my faith in the infinite creativity and love of variety diplayed in the universe, and specifically, spacey ambient music like 'Aum' by Deuter and 'Zeit' by Tangerine Dream helps me glimpse a state of awareness above the endless circular arguments of human rationalisation.

PS - While writing this, I  noticed that, in our alphabet, 'Aum' and 'Zeit' corresond to Alpha and Omega

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.

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

 

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? 

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.

(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  )

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

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

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.  

LirazelsOdyssey wrote: 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

There is a place forum_posts.asp?TID=56485" rel="nofollow - here for such straight and narrow rabbit trails...

-------------
https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays

 

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.

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

I thought your interpretations were spot on.

 

Agreed. Jon Anderson tends towards syncretism and solar worship. He is definitely not a Christian (unless my info is not up-to-date).

You're quite free to disagree with me, but I honestly don't see what's so funny.  I don't think this thread was started to laugh at people's beliefs.

I apologise. I will refrain in future. I comment like yours always doubles me up. 

Apology accepted

Also it's easy for people to be mean on the internet because of its anonymity, but while we are talking about God... people are still people whether they are posting on the internet, or next door, or in your own house. We are accountable to treat people with love and respect no matter where we are. (not that I am perfect in that, but it is the goal I shoot for)

No matter what your spiritual worldview is the question is this: 

Are you going to sew Life or Death into the world around you?

Well put!!!

Neal Morse, who wrote the lyrics, is faith based. I am not altogether sure about the others.

 

I know you liked the lyrical content, but what did you think about the lyrics poetically/stylistically?  I agree with the message (most of it, anyway) but I didn't think the lyrics were that well written.

Maybe it's just because I've never been able to get into Neal Morse

I can understand the how you could say the lyrics of Sola Scriptura are not well written. Well actually I would say they might be more confusing compared to his other works. His ? has absolutely brilliant lyrics, conceptually speaking with all the scriptural references. But yeah I can understand that somewhat.

Check out ?, those lyrics are great... well at least I think

Anyway I am a massive Morse fan though:)

 

Wow.

 

"Can you believe

God makes you breathe?

Why did he lose

Six million jews?"

 

So safe to say you missed Neal on his T2 Tour last May at EMP? If so that is too bad....fiercly powerful prog show. He played the entire T2 album. You can read my live review http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78647" rel="nofollow - here from that show.

 

 

Sweet you like BTA?

Even when I'm a Catholic and for that reason a Christian, I can't accept religious praising Rock or Prog (Catholic, Protestant Christian, Jewish or any determined religion), because I believe music has to be free, and when used to make propaganda for a determined religion (Also applicable for music used to support a determined political party), stops being artistic to become an instrument for propaganda, almost as a jingle.

Another problem specifically with SOME Christian music, is that it is used to attack other beliefs or even disbelief (A good example is Sola Scriptura, a blatant attack against Catholicism), and to send subliminal messages to minors that buy the album for the music and receive intensive preach.

Spiritual music is OK, love the lyrics of Livegren when he was searching for a spiritual truth or Wakeman religious music without preaching, but guys like Morse make me sick...Music is for the stages...Evangelism is for pulpits.

In the case of political music, a good example is Silvio Rodriguez, his music is sublime, but when he makes lyrics to support the dictatorship of   Fidel Castro (who allowed him to live better than 99% of the Cubans), is just selling his art.

Don't want to sound harsh, but his is my honest opinion.

Iván

You don't get my point.

But this guys are manipulating THEMSELVES, look at Morse, he attacks not only papacy, but also our most sacred beliefs, like Saints.

But when asked why did he hides that Luther was the most fanatic anti Semitic that could make Hitler look as a child he answers that he had no knowledge of Luther's Rabid Antisemitism, and his reply is:

Then one day I was looking for something on the Internet, and came across these anti-Semitic remarks by Martin Luther, and I was really disheartened and felt strongly that I should say so. I want people to know that I know. I didn't feel like I should scrap the album, because I still feel that God used Luther to bring more light to the world and the church. http://www.thefish.com/music/interviews/11618107/Solely-Sola-Scriptura%3f/" rel="nofollow - http://www.thefish.com/music/interviews/11618107/Solely-Sola-Scriptura%3f/

If he atacks the Pope, the Saints and our beliefs, he should also make a song saying that Luther said:

 "If I had to baptize a Jew, I would take him to the river Elbe, hang a stone around his neck and push him over with the words `I baptize thee in the name of Abraham'." (Martin Luther  - The Jews and their Lies)

That would be honesty, what he does is hypocrisy 

In the same way, if a Catholic made a song about Luther being antisemitic, he should also say that the Church was anti-Semitic also.

That's why I don't believe in Christia, Catholic or whatever Prog.

ExittheLemming wrote: You also appear to believe that followers of any given religious creed shouldn't be allowed to criticize another faith? (Yet you condemn someone like Castro?)

 

I don't have a problem with people criticizing, Bush Obama or whoever they want, but making us believe this propaganda is art, pisses me.

I criticize Castro, it's OK, but I don't make an album, sell it to people (take their money) and say it's art and not just politic diatribe 

Criticize what you want, that's perfect, it's a right, but if you want to make a song of propaganda, it's a jingle.

Iván

You have to look at it in its historical context.  In Luther's time and for a large portion of the middle ages and renaissance, practically everyone was anti-semitic.  Just read the Prioress' Tale from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales for an example of this.  Morse was contrasting Luther's reformation to the practices of the Catholic church, and they were both anti-semitic, so he didn't feel like he had to touch on that issue.  I'm a Lutheran, and if a Catholic wrote an album bashing Luther but didn't mention his anti-semitism, I wouldn't ask him to criticize his own church for anti-semitism, because he left the issue alone when criticizing Luther.

I do understand that, as a Catholic, you feel offended by Morse's album.  I wouldn't be too happy with an album bashing Luther, either.  I just don't think he's necessarily being hypocritical in this regard.

I wish this wide mind was for everybody, you say it's OK, but you criticize the Inquisition in an era that witches were a real thing for everybody.

So, if you are going to accuse a religion, better check if your's doesn't had the same problems.

Now, Morse says he finds the antisemitism of Luther horrendous, but still he says he doesn't mention it in the album because he made more good...That's hypocrisy IMO, specially because his book "The Jews and their Lies" was basic in the Nazi final solution, and that's repulsive. 

That's why I dislike religious Rock comes from who comes, because they attack everybody and hide their own faults.

Their albums are for indoctrination, and what is worst indoctrination of people who don't  want to be indoctrinated.

Iván

Would be too long to eply all the post, so will focus in two points

But believe me, if a Catholic musician made an album criticizing Protestantism, Judaism or any other religion, I would be the first one to manifest my opposition to him/her.

It's a matter of principles, I believe every person is entitled to believe in the divinity they decide, and every religion deserves all my respect, for this reason,I STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH ANY ROCK BAND OR ARTIST THAT USES MUSIC TO EVANGELIZE.

 

ExitheLemming wrote: . If Morse did not know of Luther's anti-Semitism what gives you the right to castigate him as a hypocrite? (unless you have access to his thought processes, like say ....a God would have)

Neal Morse is an educated person with obvious knowledge of religious octrine and history, you can't write a whole album about Luther (Sola Scriptura) without knowing he was a rabid antisemitic, this fact is present in every text about him.

Just to end this issue...Nobody is free of criticism.....My point is that Rock can't be used for that purpose without becoming a jingle.

Iván

How typical of him.  I really love it when bands talk to their fans, because they're acknowledging that they're not just performing; they're sharing with the fans in a musical experience that binds them together.

Everybody can criticizer the papacy, as I criticize guys like Bob Jones or Fred Phelps (Not in the same level of course,his guys are bigots), but I don't use music or a child stories book to introduce this criticism, I do it with people who are willing to consciously discuss the issue.

So, we can be critical of anybody as long as we don't use art as the medium for such expression? Ergo, Mr Morse only learned to become a highly skilled and imaginative musician and arranger as a vehicle for his real agenda: attacking other people's value systems and beliefs? I know I'm habitually sarcastic Ivan but I'm trying real hard here just to remain polite as what you've posted is all just rabid and shrill intolerance of those who don't share your own insular values.

Protest has always been a way to express dissagreement wit something, but there's a difference with INDOCTRINATION; and that's what guys like Neal Morse do, he confesses it:

MorseOh, I'm glad! The secular audience generally thinks that the lyrics don't matter as long as they fit the music, and I was like that. I'm glad people are paying attention to what I am saying. That's one of the main reasons I made the album. Question: Is Sola Scriptura an attack on the Catholic Church?  Morse It takes place in Luther's time, but I go beyond that all the way to the book of Revelation. I think it's important to understand that throughout history, the church fell away from Jesus and his teachings. It fell away from "Love your enemies," for example. That's what I'm trying to paint http://www.thefish.com/music/interviews/11618107/Solely-Sola-Scriptura%3f/" rel="nofollow - http://www.thefish.com/music/interviews/11618107/Solely-Sola-Scriptura%3f/

BTW:There's a 17 pages thread about this issue  http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44523&KW=secular&PN=1" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44523&KW=secular&PN=1  if you check, I have the exact position

I think I have replied to each and every one of your arguments

Iván

You then proceed to illustrate this with 'proof' that Morse's intention is to proselytize his audience because he states 'I'm glad people are paying attention to what I'm saying' - I'm sure every songwriter in the world would be delighted that an audience takes an interest in their lyrics to the extent that even their rejection would at least prompt their consideration by the listener..

What seems to have completely escaped your attention is the possibility that an individual just may agree with a religious or secular opinion expressed in the medium of art using their own judgement, intellect, experience and intuition. This does not make that individual an indoctrinated or brainwashed zombie now does it? Presumably you have also started a petition to have religious devotional art stretching back millennia which includes many of the finest masterpieces ever created, burned in the street (just in case they either contain subliminal messages or inspire blind, unthinking and unswerving adherence to the artist's covert spiritual agenda)

Wise words indeed. Couldn't agree more.

Almost nobody will change their mind, that's not the point, but he is evangelizing that's a fact and I believe is wrong to use music to evangelize.

Sola Scriptura is insulting for Catholics (Would feel the same in the inverse case), but I'm sure that if my sister read reviews saying it's a positive album (as many say), she would buy it to he ids...But she is also a Catholic, and without knowledge would be giving an album that has offensive lyrics to her beliefs...So the least that should happen is that those albums should carry a warning.

USA Christians pressure has been so strong, that the albums that have lyrics they consider violent or offensive have to carry a warning label....Well, the albums that have messages used by them to insult others, should also carry a warning.

Iván

How typical of him.  I really love it when bands talk to their fans, because they're acknowledging that they're not just performing; they're sharing with the fans in a musical experience that binds them together.

 

Yea we got a bunch of pictures with the band including a great picture with Neal, my wife and I. I also got all the band to sign my T2 box copy.

I would think Portnoy was beyond exhausted to come back and mingle, that final set is brutal for him as a drummer. Especially when they had to get on a plane ASAP after almost every show.

Sola Scriptura is not offensive to Catholics or an attack on the church...don't see that. Many, many, many, many artists have written about the church and the Bible. And maybe when it is described with passion and some sort of accuracy, we can find some offenses...I am fine with that, I mean music is art and is subject to criticism.

 

 

That's the magic word....CHAPEL

If an atheist goes to a church, he has to accept what is there.

ExittheLemming wrote: it's all about one paranoid religious zealot who cannot see the contradiction of proclaiming immutable beliefs while maintaining these same beliefs are somehow at the mercy of a sticker on a record sleeve. I have many friends who are devout Catholics and can safely say that your intolerance would offend them. (I might add a warning signature to all your future posts, they would appreciate the irony)

Why do many Rock and specially metal albums have a tag that warns parents of satanic content?

Because a group of people placed pressure on the labels to warn about teh message. The same works for the other side

I'm not intolerant, because I believe that albums FROM ANY RELIGION INCLUDING MINE, may be an attempt to indoctrinate, and must be sold as that....Religious albums are in religious section normally. 

Iván