For atheists: Is Christian rock bad?

Question

*shrug*

I saw this posted to Christians only, and I would like to hear what atheists think.
=0)

Answer 1

From a musical talent standpoint.... HORRID.

Morally... totally stupid.

Answer 2

I've enjoyed many. Kirk Franklin, White Heart, the Omartians, Bebe and Cece Winans, The Imperials, Prayer Chain, Switchfoot, DC Talk, Michael English, Fred Hammond, Crystal Lewis, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Rich Mullins, Newsboys, Rebecca St. James, Sixpence None the Richer, Sonicflood, Supertones, Kathy Trocolli, Jaci Velasquez, Jars of Clay, The Kry, Point of Grace, even Carmen.

I still like a some of the music for the music, like Kirk Franklin, Jars of Clay, Switchfoot. Sixpence.

Answer 3

Well - I missed the "christians only version". As a Christian percussionist in a slightly rocky band - I have to say that many songs leave me like Animal in the Muppets - crying for some engaging drumline.

Most christian rock stinks. It lacks depth and passion. Many lyricists are happy to throw some lines together without concern for a message. There is little engagement of the individual - nothing to lift the listener.

Much like secular rock was 50 years ago.

But there are a few good bands out there.

edit - ditto what Dan X said about creativity..

Answer 4

It's funny. I was driving through an area I wasn't familiar with on a roadtrip to Chicago. I didn't know the radio stations, so I ended up just scanning up the dial. As I went, I came to learn that I can tell if music is Christian within the first couple seconds, with or without lyrics. So bad or not, it's pretty much all the same.

Answer 5

I don;t generally care for Christian music. I am critical of it as both an atheist and a musician.

I feel that music should be poetic, original, creative, thought-provoking and insightful. Christian music usually fails to be any of those things. There is nothing poetic about "Our God is an awesome God."

Christian musicians seem to think that just because they are singing about Jesus that they are not required to be creative. Additionally, like most other forms of pop music, it is lacking in the areas of harmony and especially rhythm.

I can't imagine what, even an awesome love for god, would make someone want to spend an entire career writing songs on only one subject. I listen to many kinds of music, and the artists I listen to occasionally sing songs about the worship of their respective gods. U2, Bob Dylan, Black Sabbath--believe it or not they really were a Christian rock band--Peter Gabriel, Genesis, Tony Levin--many of the artists in my collection have songs about God, but they also sing about other things as well.

I've also heard recently for the first time some atheist music and have all the same complaints about it.

Answer 6

Deist - not an atheist - here, but I'd like to offer my opinion as a lifelong musician. I've played most every genre except for hip hop (did record one rap song).

What I'd like to suggest is that "Christian rock" doesn't appeal to me because the subject matter seems rather limited.

I realize that there have been thousands of songs written about love and lost loves, but for me, what makes a song "timeless" is a combination of elements: melody, chord structure, rhythm, and lyrics (if its a vocal song).

"Christian rock" is rather narrow in it's lyrics. There's just so much "Jesus...Jesus...Jesus."

And only a small fraction of it all is musically interesting or unique.

To me, most of "Christian rock" is just a modernized, pop version of traditional hymns. It's more about "worship" than Life.

To me, music is evaluated as MUSIC; not its spiritual or political message...

Answer 7

Nah, I enjoy listening to old Latin hymns and classical religious music, and I'm not a believer...it's just good music. I think some important dead person once said that the only good thing ever to come out of religion was the music (although I don't think he was talking about contemporary stuff!).

Answer 8

It can be. It's like finding a bone in a piece of meat you thought was just meat. I dig my philosophy and my rock NEAT. Don't cross the streams.

Edit: and then I think of one of my favorite songs by George Harrison, "I really wanna know you". Hmmm, still, that one's all spirituality and it's pretty good and there's no mistaking it's words for anything but a rock hymn. Oh, but it's not specifically Christian either.

Answer 9

I've never heard good christian rock, though I did like some christian rap... it was better than secular rap - it had a positive message, void of foul language and still full of energy and passion...(even if I don't believe the Jesus stuff, I enjoyed listening to it while lifting weights - it was a radio show that use to air during my workout time - if I knew who it was I would buy their CD.)

Answer 10

I don't think it's 'earthy' enough for my personal tastes - but I prefer instrumental music over vocals. My experience with the latter is that it doesn't seem all that inspiring. On the other hand, it's not offensive as most popular music, so given a choice, I'd r prefer to listen to christian rock over hip-hop, rap, or any American Idol.

Answer 11

Generally it is horrible. I have heard a few decent sounding songs. But it is just incompatible with the rock philosophy of life to be Christian.