this post was submitted on 20 Nov 2023
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[–] [email protected] 24 points 11 months ago (1 children)

.... define.... "Aethist" music?

the vast majority of music is in fact secular.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (3 children)

Well, I don't know how to explain it but I love Bad Religion songs

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago

are you looking for just... good, secular, music? or maybe you're looking specifically things that deal with religion, but from an atheist perspective? Perhaps you're looking for songs that spoof worship songs? Or maybe, just, like, worship songs that are just awful?

or do you mean, music by atheists?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLcp8Dm-ejU

I built a little empire out of some crazy garbage
Called 'the blood of the exploited working class'
But now they've overcome their shyness
Now they're calling me 'Your Highness'
And a world screams: Kiss me, Son of God

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Children's science shows are bound to have some mediocre songs, right?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Well, most only have intro songs, and those slap. But there are some standalone ones, like The Periodic Table Song. Or whatever Feynman did with bongos.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 11 months ago (4 children)

The only one that comes to mind is "Dear God," by XTC. The singer is writing a letter to God about why he doesn't believe in him.

The concept of an atheist anthem seems odd to me though. It's like asking for a national anthem for someone who doesn't have a country.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 11 months ago

Thanks for reminding me about this, have not listened to it in years.

Link for those who have not heard it. “Dear God,” by XTC

Sadly the lyrics are a relevant as the day they were penned.

And all the people that you made in your image, see them
Fighting in the street
'Cause they can't make opinions meet
About God

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Ooh, good one! I personally like the cover of Dear God by Lawless with Sydney Wayser. I agree that the idea of an atheist anthem is a little strange, though--like a song reveling in how many fairies there aren't.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Classic. I like this song.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Me too! The video is low budget, but I liked it too.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

It’s called The Internationale, comrade.

Here’s a cinematic version.

And just as a bonus, a cinematic version of Hasta Siempre.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I'm sure there are some songs about atheism, but atheists aren't really making their non believe a part of their identity. So asking for an "atheist anthem" is really fucking weird. Just listen to any non religious music, which is like the absolute vast majority of all songs out there.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Written in m/atheism

[–] [email protected] 10 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Lots of stuff by Tim Minchin, including my favourite Christmas song, White Wine in the Sun.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

Thank you! Many people have recommended this to me.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 11 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

Listened to this sing for years before actually understanding the lyrics lol - considering I was an atheist for even longer, I wonder if my subconscious knew and just didn't tell me 🤷🏻‍♂️

[–] [email protected] 7 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Frank Zappa has a few good ones...

Dumb All Over (I think this live version is superior to the album version)

The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing (lyrics)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

I think "heavenly bank account" would fit on that list too.

He's got twenty million dollars

In his Heavenly Bank Account . . .

All from those chumps who was

Born again

Oh yeah, oh yeah

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

This one is the best so far!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago

The Times They Are A-Changin' by Bob Dylan
Imagine by John Lennon

[–] [email protected] 5 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

My wife suggests Freewill and Totem both by Rush:

https://youtu.be/OnxkfLe4G74

"You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that’s clear
I will choose free will."

https://youtu.be/mI208DRLsFc

"I believe in what I see,
I believe in what I hear
I believe that what I'm feeling
changes how the world appears"

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Never heard this one before. Thanks!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

And the recent cover by Ghost is excellent too.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

You will not beat the song about gods perspective by Bo Burnham. It’s comedy but it’s both beautiful and brilliant.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

I have this on my playlist! very funny and brilliant

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago

If you like punk rock, pretty much the entirety of Bad Religion's music is atheist.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)
[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago

Storm by Tim Minchin

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

I think that people arrive at atheism and agnosticism from various directions but I don't think its something that people are commonly indoctrinated with. That being the case, there are few hymns or anthems that need to be repeated, to reinforce the message.

However, this might be what you're asking for https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VpxikuHHG2Q&pp=ygUXYmFkIHJlbGlnaW9uIHRoZSBhbnN3ZXI%3D

Bad Religion, "the answer."

The lyrics, "if you've got enough naievity and you've got conviction, then the answer is perfect for you," always seemed to resonate with me. I interpret them to refer to people who are born into a difficult to comprehend universe, full of far more questions than answers, who latch on to the comforting fairy tales offered by religion with great enthusiasm. I think the song is about how nobody really can comprehend the great questions of life and purpose, but people try to, and sometimes their ideas become religions. I think the song is about people who don't think for themselves, but who latch onto what they're told. Its a warning not to be comforted by explanations and opinions of others. Consensus is not truth.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

Not necessarily an "atheist anthem" but I always liked The Seeker by The Who. It was used in Religulous documentary and I think it describes the atheist worldview in a way

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago
[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Chris Smither - Origin of Species:

https://youtu.be/JVbj0Wcb5go

He does some of my other favorite tunes.

Leave the Light On:

https://youtu.be/THQO-JLjMnA

Place In Line:

https://youtu.be/MztnxPiiDbI

Hundred Dollar Valentine:

https://youtu.be/1HtvroTf9d4

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

The only song I know of that is specifically about atheism is Thoughts of a Dying Atheist by Muse.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

I've noticed two songs that are the opposite faces of the same coin:

Euthanasia by Will Wood. Line: ...and I know... I know it's not true. There's just no more you. But as long as there's no proof...

Notion by The Rare Occasions. Line: sure it's a calmin' notion, but it's a lie

though it is a bit hard to understand without concentrating due to the cursive singing (I always thought it was common notion until looking at the lyrics, and I do think that'd be a better fit for the opening line)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Into My Arms - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds is a classic

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Round the winter holidays we have a tradition of plazing white wine in the sun,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q

"I don′t go for ancient wisdom
I don't believe just ′cos ideas are tenacious it means they are worthy
I get freaked out by churches
Some of the hymns that they sing have nice chords but the lyrics are dodgy

And yes I have all of the usual objections to the miseducation
Of children who in tax-exempt institutions are taught to externalise blame
And to feel ashamed and to judge things as plain right and wrong
But I quite like the songs"

song bites back, and the chorus makes me cry a bit

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

gonna throw anything by baba brinkman out there.

a sample... Creationist Cousins

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago
[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

It’s a bit of a far fetch, and I might be a bit off here. (I know a better fan than me will probably correct me) But I seem to remember the Death Metal band Deicide wrote a lot of their songs about inconsistencies and hypocrisies in the bible. Albeit, mostly christian-bashing, if you will. So probably too far in that direction than what you’re looking for. They usually come across as a Satanic and/or gore theme driven, and while the gore is accurate, they have stated many times to not believe in satan either. …And of course you have to be able to enjoy the sounds of hardcore death metal as well, lol

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Well I can enjoy death Metal 🤘 Thanks!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Can I be as my God am?

also thought it was a brilliant way to get 'goddamn' broadcast uncensored.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

So if you come from a Christian background/upbringing I’d recommend the entirety of David Bazan’s Curse Your Branches. It’s pretty much a breakup album to god/religion

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Hopsin - I'll Mind of Hopsin 7 is an angry rap about struggles with god that many of us faced in our past.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

It’s heavy music, so not for everyone, but I hope you rot by Parkway Drive is an anti church (not really anti religion) song.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Not specifically atheist and I have no idea about their worldview, but One Foot by Fun. has these great lines.

But I will die for my own sins, thanks a lot.

We'll rise up ourselves, thanks for nothing at all.

So up off the ground our forefathers are nothing but dust now.

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