A Non-Religious Man's 5 Favorite Christian Songs

[MessengerOfDreams]

As the older members know, I used to be very religious. Christian and Messianic music was my entire soundtrack. And then as you know, I faded out. I discovered that being religious restricted me to an unhealthy degree. I'm still a bit spiteful at religion, not that it's wrong or stupid-I accept it. It's just like it'd be with a bad breakup with an old girlfriend.

And I'd appreciate you not trying to convince me back to religion if you are religious. Not being religious was the best thing that could have happened to be and it's helped me discover myself and I'm much happier this way. I'd also appreciate no religious debates aimed at me or anyone else.

I still have an appreciation for religious and christian music, and there is a few songs that I respect for their message and that affect me even though I'm never going back to religion. I decided to use Christian music because that composed of most of my library way back then. And let me just say-any praise to a god should not be proclaimed better than another. This is just 5 songs that still affect me even though I don't believe in a Christian God.

So, let's get started.

5. Bebo Norman-I Will Lift My Eyes

Now this song is absolutely beautiful. The music is comforting and builds up to something epic-a fitting praise to a higher being. And Bebo's voice is absolutely magnificent, one of the best I've ever heard. You can hear the absolute emotion and love for God in this song.

The message I get out of this is that there's something higher than us, and he loves us and will help us. Whatever God is in the heavens, I believe he loves us like children, I mean, how can you not love your own creation? And even though I believe that man is good and able, at times we just need help from places above us, and that the creator is there for us. It's a comforting thought.

4. Johnny Cash-God's gonna cut you down

Although I personally believe that the creator loves even those who do wrong like wayward sons and would try to make them better (even though I don't see him as one who intervenes), it's a warning to evildoers that if you keep doing people wrong, it's gonna catch up to you in one way or another. There's no rest for the wicked after all.

And Johnny Cash is... epic as you could expect him to be. His call to religion inspired his best music. His voice is amazing and the music also is that of a warning- it also has a really cool western feel.

3. Third Day-Creed

Third Day being... well, third aside. A song originally done by Richard Marx performed passionately by one of the most passionate Christian Bands out there, one which I think above many truly love their God. And this song serves as a testimony, a mission statement for Christians everywhere.

The song's lyrics are mostly an explanation of what Christians believe and that they are confident in it. There's no bashing on other religions, no trying to convince others, it's just a pure proclamation of their love for God. The line "I believe what I believe, it's what makes me what I am. I did not make it, though it is making me" is a beautiful line that can be understood and felt by people no matter what they truly believe in, even outside of religion.

Even though I don't believe in Christianity, this song and that line could explain anything I truly believe in and that helps make me, even in my own personal perception of the creator. And it's refreshing just to see such rooted people. As for the music itself, it's cool to see a Christian Song that both has a true message and absolutely rocks out. They take no hesitance to shred guitars, which is awesome, and lead singer Mac Powell (another one of my favorites) has a raw passion to his voice that also hides none of his love and belief. Also hearing the Portland, Maine crowd singing along and shouting their belief also is a really cool sight to hear.

2. Jars of Clay-Flood

This is a song of redemption. And what really hooks me to the song is that it's beautifully written. This has been a long time favorite song of mine-one of the first I ever remember since I was 5. Hearing this song, whether religious or not, is a trip on its own. Comparing a fall from grace to being caught in a muddy, miserable flood is an incredible analogy and the description is brilliant. The chorus, begging for redemption, is something we all hope for at one time or another. The music composition is very raw and beautiful as well, and they make the most out of a guitar. Whether it be a sign from the creator, a friend's forgiving embrace or a happenstance blessing, redemption is something we remember, that is a turning point, and this song is a brilliant description of the fall from grace and the lift back up.

1. Casting Crowns-Stained Glass Masquerade

Casting Crowns is my favorite Christian Band. They are non-judgmental yet all their songs are about how Christianity and accepting apply in real life. This song is a tale of accepting in the most important place-the church.

I'm going to admit, my first church was very unaccepting. I'm not going to say at all that all churches are like that, not at all, but our own experience was horrible. If anything bad happened to anyone, there was no help, it was dismissed as "they are sinners and they deserve it." We really got a glance in the seedy side of Christianity. And this song is from the point of view of people who are nowhere near perfect that feel like they must hide their problems and, yes, sins from their brethren for fear of being abandoned by them. When the reality is that no one is perfect and that the fellowship should all be able to share and help each other with their problems.

The chorus, comparing the church to a masquerade where we all put on smiles to hide the pain is a saddening but true analogy, but there's also a call to put down our defenses and accept everyone for who they are-human, imperfect, but good nonetheless.

And the lesson is universal. Everyone needs to accept everyone for their faults and help those close to them, at the very least, with their own. And it also is a call saying "You can be accepted. You are a good person no matter what. Reach out for help-there are others like you everywhere." Not to mention that the two lead singers do a great job and the music has a melancholy yet hopeful feel to it that helps the essence of the song.

Overall, this is a life lesson, and one of my favorites that everyone should know, religious or not. As a Youtube commenter said "Church is not a showcase of saints, but a safe place for sinners," and it also applies to family and friends and other such things.

And that concludes my countdown.

To me, Christian Music can be a mixed bag. For every passionate love song for God and his creation, his people, there is unfortunately those who simply make passionless ear candy that seems to have no feeling. Nevertheless, there is true passion, truth or lesson in most of the music that being non-religious shouldn't keep you away from.

Thanks for reading

MoD

[MICrophone]

Bob Dylan had a religious phase and produced two albums of what was basically Christian music. I have one of those in my library, Slow Train Coming. It's a good album.

[Chaukai]

I've listened to Christian rock before. I actually enjoy some of it, but I'm usually not listening to any complete Christian song. I think there's a fair amount of good music out there, religious or not, I don't take bias on that, even if I'm an Atheist.

[Kimonio]

You guys heard of the band "Red"?


Went to see them in a concert along with a bunch of other bands around 10PM. They were the first band to play.

My eardrums died. Fast.


They almost sound gothic or something, but its really some very heavy hardcore metal almost. Or grunge. I dunno, I just know my ears died the minute they started playing. X_O