I’m an atheist but grew up Christian/catholic. I attend a Christian college (long story) and I constantly have to listen to Christian music. However, some artist I actually like. I love some of needtobreath songs and I love Racheal Plattern (she sang fight song).
I’m just curious on where other nonbelievers stand.
I listen to music based on a lot of mythology, I don't see why the christian mythos can't be one of those. If I happen to like it, I like it. One of my favorite metal bands, Corrosion of Conformity, regularly sing about god, but hey it's good music.
 NoOathNoSpell
                                                
                                                Level 3
                                                Nov 16, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    NoOathNoSpell
                                                
                                                Level 3
                                                Nov 16, 2018                                            
                                        It usually depends. I do think it’s kind of silly and close-minded to auttomatically day “I don’t listen to anything like that.” Are you afraid you’re going to convert? If the lyrics are eye-rollingly stupid or annoying, I change the song, but as others have commented, if the song itself is good, sure I’ll listen.
 RunGreen
                                                
                                                Level 2
                                                Nov 16, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    RunGreen
                                                
                                                Level 2
                                                Nov 16, 2018                                            
                                        Atheist and 30 year Stryper fan. The lyrics are positive and the music is great. Kinda like the Satanic Metal bands. I like the music but ignore the lyrics ?
 Winkman1972
                                                
                                                Level 5
                                                Nov 16, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Winkman1972
                                                
                                                Level 5
                                                Nov 16, 2018                                            
                                        Choir, organ, brass: I just like the sound. As another poster noted, it is uplifting.
I don't need to swallow the message to enjoy the broadcast!!!
That said, I have much less time for most contemporary religious musicians. I like my atheism old-school.
 Andy4608
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Nov 16, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Andy4608
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Nov 16, 2018                                            
                                        Once in a great while. For example the hallelujah chorus is "religious" but it is a great work of art by Handel. If you enjoy classical music, you will hear some music of religious nature.
 Dougl35534
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Nov 16, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Dougl35534
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Nov 16, 2018                                            
                                        I’d pop a CD in half if I’d missed a religious song; remember doing that to the beach boys greatest hits (god only knew).. Though surrounded by bluegrass groups, I won’t chance purchasing a cd unless I’ve heard and determined there’s no religious bs on it. Religion is wrong, even in a song ~
 Varn
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                Nov 16, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Varn
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                Nov 16, 2018                                            
                                        Hell no. Can't stand to hear the poor deluded fools going on about their love for a dead guy, and how they think they'll meet him in heaven. Saddening and depressing to think humanity still hasn't grown out of this nonsense.
 wavemechanic
                                                
                                                Level 4
                                                Nov 15, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    wavemechanic
                                                
                                                Level 4
                                                Nov 15, 2018                                            
                                        Well, I used to listen to skillet before I realized they were all jesus freaks. I guess the songs i liked the most were the only ones i would have paid any attention to, lyrically speaking, and they were sort of ambiguous with regard to their religious connotations. It pisses me off no end that just knowing that a work was religiously-motivated can sully it like that, much the same way I can no longer watch a Mel Gibson movie (well, except the end of Braveheart where he gets his small intestines pulled out and wound around a spiked wooden spindle....that part I like now)
 Jahrta
                                                
                                                Level 4
                                                Nov 15, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Jahrta
                                                
                                                Level 4
                                                Nov 15, 2018                                            
                                        I don't very often; but there are some religious songs/music I like. I was not raised Catholic, but when I hear Ave Maria (in Latin, of course) I enjoy it. I also like Gregorian chants.
There are also some some church hymns from my childhood I like ('In the Garden', for example), but, also, I think some are despicable because of their message (like Amazing Grace--seriously, I'm a wretch?).
Usually, when a religious song from my childhood pops into my head, I change the lyrics to reflect my non-belief.
As far as any contemporary Christian music--no thanks!
 Joanne
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Mar 15, 2020
                                            
                                                
                                                    Joanne
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Mar 15, 2020