19 Atheistic, Agnostic & Highly Skeptical Songs

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19 Atheistic, Agnostic & Highly Skeptical Songs features anti-religious anthems by artists including The 1975, Bad Religion, Hozier, Marilyn Manson & Slayer.

According to Steve Martin, “Atheists Don’t Have No Songs.” Not true Steve, no true. There have been a number of secular songs that explore atheism, agnosticism, and general religious skepticism. While many of these nonreligious numbers can’t be liked to church hymns or traditional parts of the liturgy, they do express opposition to God, religion, and spirituality. Among artists contributing to the nonreligious anthems are The 1975, Bad Religion, Hozier, Marilyn Manson, and Slayer.

1. Marilyn Manson, “SAY10”

Writers: Marilyn Manson & Tyler Bates | Producer: Tyler Bates

Heaven Upside Down • Loma Vista • 2017

“Devil’s got a cut, like a slit in a cattle’s calf / Dollar-sign snakes, I’m all in the damn / God-less, fearless of the flood / Or the blood of the coming Spring.” The left-hand path is empowered on “SAY10,”clearly a play on Satan. Making “SAY10” even more enigmatic and frightening is the music. Initially, on the first verse, “SAY10” sounds completely foreboding, with Marilyn Manson singing in a whisper.

On the chorus, the deck of cards is completely revealed with a catchy, yet incredibly blasphemous hook. Chocked full of religious references, “SAY10” transcends its beastly title.

“So, you say ‘GOD’ and I say ‘SAY10’
You say ‘GOD’ and I say ‘SAY10’
SAY, SAY, SAY10.”

“SAY10” has also appeared on playlists These 15 Songs Have the Devil in Mindand Religiously Skeptical Gems 2.0.

2. The 1975, “If I Believe You”

Writers: Adam Hann, George Daniel, Matthew Healy & Ross MacDonald « Producers: George Daniel, Matthew Healy & Mike Crossey

I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It • Interscope • 2016

“I’ve got a God-shaped hole that’s infected / And I’m petrified of being alone now / It’s pathetic, I know.” It’s no secret that The 1975 frontman Matthew Healy isn’t a believer – he’s an atheist and humanist. The gorgeous “If I Believe You” features gospel music cues, yet questions putting faith and stock in God. Think of “If I Believe You” as a “humanist’s skeptical petition to God/a higher power.”

“And if I believe you
Will that make it stop?
If I told you I need you
Is that what you want?
And I’m broken and bleeding
And begging for help
And I’m asking you Jesus, show yourself.”

“If I Believe You” also appears on previously published playlists Religiously Skeptical Gems 2.0 and Secular Songs That ‘Take You to Church’.

3. Tyler Glenn, “Devil”

Writers: Grant Michael, Sam Hollander & Tyler Glenn « Producer: Tim Pagnotta

Excommunication• Island • 2016

“Sunday mornings make me nervous,” Tyler Glenn (Neon Trees) professes on “Devil.” On the chorus, he blames the devil, claiming he became truer to self upon losing his faith.

“I think the devil made me
Do it, do it, baby
I found myself when I lost my faith
I found myself when I lost my faith.”

Glenn was pissed off on his debut solo album, Excommunication. The album focused on his break with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The main reason for this break was Glenn’s homosexuality. Disappointed by being unaccepted by the church as a gay man, naturally, he left. Glenn doesn’t come over as atheistic – more agnostic or indifferent to religion given his experiences.

“I think I still believe in Jesus
He’s a friend when I choose to pray
But my demons get me high, ‘til I’m burning all the time
Yeah, they never wash my sins away.”

“The Devil” has appeared on numerous playlists, including T hese 15 Songs Have the Devil in Mind, Creatures! Ghosts, Monsters, Vampires and Such, Religiously Skeptical Gems 2.0, and 26 Notable LGBTQ Songs Since 2010.

4. Hozier, “Take Me to Church”

Writer: Andrew Hozier-Byrne « Producers: Andrew Hozier-Byrne & Rob Kirwan

Hozier • Columbia • 2014

Hozier was NOT singing about God on “Take Me to Church.” “Take Me to Church” isn’t necessarily a middle finger to the church, but it dabbles in sex and sexuality – specifically targeting oppression of homosexuals in Russia, two things that are often frowned upon within many Christian churches. Plenty has been written about this song. The Pop Song Professor spends an entire video and article on one of the best songs of 2014, while The Reflector clearly states the song ‘conveys deeper meaning’.

“My church offers no absolutes
She tells me ‘worship in the bedroom’
The only heaven I’ll be sent to
Is when I’m alone with you
I was born sick, but I love it
Command me to be well.”

“Take Me to Church” also appears on previously published playlists Religiously Skeptical Gems 2.0 and Secular Songs That ‘Take You to Church’.

5. Angel Haze, “Black Synagogue”

Writers: Angel Haze, Mike Dean & Wynter Gordon

Dirty Gold • Island • 2013

“Did he die on the cross for this? / Do you have any fucking proof?” Angel Haze, a former member of the Apostolic faith, became disillusioned and called it quits. In a couple of instances within her discography, she’s referenced skepticism towards God and religion. Obviously, “Black Synagogue,” the fifth song from her 2013 album, Dirty Gold, is a prime example.

Continuing the aforementioned lyrics, excerpted from the third verse:

“Everything here is man-made
And I’m just searching for some fucking truth.”

Her most powerful statement about relying solely on religion and God comes on the explicit outro.

“How many people here look for Jesus to solve their problems? Lots of people. And how many of those people are fixed? None of them know fucking about shit, they’re all fucking fucked up. Anything to help you escape. It takes it, it takes something to just say, ‘Fuck it! This is reality, I’m gonna deal with it!’ But do we ever really deal with it? Deal with it, stop running, stop trying to find these substitutes? Stop trying to find Jesus in strangers, and Jesus in church, and God, and find God in yourself. Powerful thing, yeah?”

6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Sacrilege”

Mosquito• Interscope • 2013

“Fallen for a guy / Fell down from the sky / Halo round his head / Feathers in our bed / In our bed, in our bed.” Samantha Clarke (The 7 Most Badass Atheist Songs) from Jill of all Trades led me to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs song, “Sacrilege.” “Sacrilege” serves as the opener from the band’s 2013 album, Mosquito. Karen O and company don’t explicitly denounce God or religion, but they do seem to highlight the hypocrisy that some supposed Christians exhibit. Arguably, the aforementioned lyrics suggest this angel from above (a Christian, we’ll presume) isn’t as angelic what he says he is or pretends to be, etc. He’s sinning as much as ‘the devil’ he’s in bed with him, not to get too Biblical or preachy. Notably, “Sacrilege” also features a gospel choir…

“Asked if I would try
To leave this all behind
Halo round his head
Burning in our bed
In our bed, in our bed.”

The music video for “Sacrilege” is more disturbing than the song itself. It features British Model Lily Cole burned at the stake for her promiscuity and adultery with the men, as well as a woman, in town. Remember, one of the Ten Commandments is, thou shalt not commit adultery. Sure, they are literally burning her at the stake, but the bigger takeaway is the utter hypocrisy.

7. Frank Turner, “Glory Hallelujah”

Writer: Frank Turner

England Keep My Bones • Epitaph • 2011

“There is no God / So, clap your hands together / There is no God / No heaven and no hell / There is no God / We’re all in this together / There is no God / So, ring that victory bell.”

Frank Turner takes the atheism next-level on “Glory Hallelujah.” After kicking off “Glory Hallelujah” gloriously with organ and blatant gospel sensibilities, he’s spirited in denouncing God. For nonbelievers everywhere, they’ll thrill in the exuberance of this blatant atheistic anthem. While believers will appreciate the spirited vibes of the music and impressive production, the blasphemy and heresy won’t be too pleasing.

“...Swap your confirmation for your dancing shoes
Because there never was no God...
Raise up your lowered head and hear the liberation beat
Because there never was no God...
No finger pointing justified by phantoms up above
Because there never was no God.”

8. First Aid Kit, “Hard Believer”

Big Black and the Blue • Wichita Recordings Ltd. • 2010

Harmonious Swedish sister duo First Aid Kit aren’t feeling Christianity or God on “Hard Believer.” “Hard Believer” is the second track off of their 2010 album, Big Black and the Blue. On the second verse, they shut down all things Biblical.

“Well, I see you've got your Bible
Your delusion imagery
Well, I don't need your eternity
Or your meaning to feel free
I just live because I love to
And that's enough you see
So, don't preach about morality
That's just human sense to me.”

9. Bright Eyes, “Four Winds”

Writer: Conor Oberst

Cassadaga • Saddle Creek • 2007

Connor Oberst seems to be an agnostic who writes songs that feature spiritual references. One such song is “Four Winds” from the 2007 Bright Eyes album, Cassadaga. One of the most anti-religious passages encourages burning the Bible, the Torah, and the Qur’an.

“The Bible’s blind, the Torah’s deaf, the Qur’an is mute
If you burned them all together, you’d get close to the truth still.”

10. Bad Religion, “Atheist Peace”

The Empire Strikes First • Epitaph • 2004

Steve Olsen (Paste Magazine), states that punk-rock band Bad Religion chose their name “partly to piss off their parents, the band members say, and partly condemn the late-1970s rise of TV evangelicals.” Clearly with a name like Bad Religion, the atheism is clear. The Greg Gaffin-led collective has incorporated non-belief in numerous records. “Atheist Peace” doesn’t explicitly denounce God but implies the dangers of religious beliefs.

“(Yeah) Tell me what we’re fighting for
I don’t remember anymore, only temporary reprieve
And the world might cease if we fail to tame the beast
From the faith that you release comes an atheist peace
...And the world won’t wait for the truth upon a plate
But we're ready now to feast on an atheist peace.”

11. Bad Religion, “God’s Love”

The Empire Strikes First • Epitaph • 2004

Bad Religion confirmed atheist beliefs on the afore-highlighted “Atheist Peace.” Even so, in relation to God, “Atheist Peace” didn’t address his nonexistence specifically. On “God’s Love,” which also appears on the 2004 album The Empire Strikes First, frontman Greg Gaffin denounces God directly.

“So, tell me, tell me where is the love in a careless creation when there’s no above?
There’s no justice, just a cause and a cure
And a bounty of suffering it seems we all endure
And what I’m frightened of is that they call it God’s love.”

12. Tool, “Opiate”

Opiate • Sony • 1999

“If you want to get your soul to heaven / Trust in me now don’t you judge or question / You are broken now, but faith can heal you / Just do everything I tell you to do.” According to TeamRock (Louder), of Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan stated that, “Religion is basically a marketing plan… they’re going to…trick you into giving 10 percent of your income to some child-molesting f**k-head… [or] civil rights over some storybook.” In other words, God and religion doesn’t seem to be his thing.

Clearly, on “Opiate,” Keenan approaches God and religion in mocking fashion as opposed to sincerely or authentically. Dead giveaway – the rape lyric:

“My God’s will
Becomes me
When he speaks
He speaks through me
He has needs
Like I do
We both want
To rape you.”

13. The Dandy Warhols, “Hard on for Jesus”

The Dandy Warhols Come Down • Capitol • 1997

Portland, Oregon alternative rock band The Dandy Warhols are blasphemous on “Hard on for Jesus.” While the lyrics say nothing negative against Jesus himself, the record is clearly mocking Christians who are “Jesus freaks” – religious fanatics. Furthermore, hard-ons and Jesus don’t go together. Whether the lyrics should be read with a sexual tilt shouldn’t even be considered, IF indeed The Dandy Warhols were being sincere believers.

“Oh yeah, Jesus (Oh yeah, Jesus)
You Got me Going (Got Me Going)
And I know just like I know
No way of knowin’ (no way of knowin’)
I gotta have faith (gotta have faith)
I gotta believe (gotta believe)
That the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings
Come and set me free (come set me free).”

14. The Cure, “This is a Lie”

Writers: Perry Bamonte, Jason Cooper, Simon Gallup, Roger O’Donnell & Robert Smith « Producers:Robert Smith & Steve Lyon

Wild Mood Swings • Elektra • 1996

The Cure frontman Robert Smith is an atheist, plain and simple. On “This is a Lie,” singing over strings and rhythmic acoustic guitars, he questions those who do believe in God.

“How each of us denies any other way in the world
Why each of us must choose
I’ve never understood
One special friend
One true love
Why each of us must lose everyone else in the world.”

15. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Shallow Be Thy Game”

Writers: Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith, Dave Navarro & Flea« Producer: Rick Rubin

One Hot Minute • Warner Bros. • 1995

“Shallow be thy game / 2000 years, look in the mirror / You play the game of shame / And tell your people live in fear.” Apparently, atheism is funky rock music, at least in the hands of funk-rock vets Red Hot Chili Peppers. On “Shallow Be Thy Game,” Anthony Kiedis and company aren’t feeling the fraud of the so-called God and religion.

“I was not created
In the likeness of a fraud
Your hell is something scary
I prefer a loving God
We are not the center
Of this funny universe...
You’ll never burn me
I’ll be your heretic
You can’t contain me
I am the power free
Truth belongs to everybody.”

16. Nine Inch Nails, “Terrible Lie”

Writer: Trent Reznor

Pretty Hate Machine • The Bicycle Music Company • 1989

According to Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails, God is a terrible lie. “(Hey God) / Why are you doing this to me? / Am I not living up to what I’m supposed to be? / Why am I seething with this animosity? / (Hey God) / I think you owe me a great big apology.” Essentially, Reznor is trying to understand why God’s love seems inconsistent. He has his share of issues, but they aren’t being fixed or solved.

“My head is filled with disease
My skin is begging you please
I’m on my hands and knees
I want so much to believe.”

17. Slayer, “Jesus Saves”

Writers: Jeff Hanneman & Kerry King « Producers: Rick Rubin & Slayer

Reign in Blood • 1986 • American

“You go to the church, you kiss the cross / You will be saved at any cost / You have your own reality / Christianity / You spend your life just kissing ass / A trait that’s grown as time has passed / You think the world will end today / You praise the Lord, that’s all you say.” For many, the first thing that comes to mind when seeing the song title “Jesus Saves” is the classic hymn or subsequent black gospel versions. In this particular case, veteran metal band Slayer certainly aren’t celebrating Jesus. Atheism – surefire non-belief – is written all over this dark edition of “Jesus Saves.”

“For all respect, you cannot lust
In an invisible man you place your trust
Indirect dependency
Eternal attempt at amnesty
He will decide who lives and dies
Depopulate, Satanic rise
You will be an accessory
Irreverence and blasphemy.”

18. XTC, “Dear God”

Writers: Andy Partridge « Producer: Todd Rundgren

Skylarking • Virgin • 1986

“Dear God, hope you got the letter and… / I pray you can make it better down here / I don’t mean a big reduction in the price of beer / But all the people that you made in your image / See them starving on their feet / ‘Cause they don’t get enough to eat from God / I can’t believe in you.” The lyrics need no further explanation. XTC lays out the case against God in relatively plain and simple language. Two words: unapologetically atheist.

“I won't believe in Heaven and Hell
No saints, no sinners, no devil as well
No pearly gates, no thorny crown
You're always letting us humans down…
That Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Is just somebody's unholy hoax...”

19. John Lennon, “Imagine”

Writer: John Lennon « Producers: John Lennon, Phil Spector & Yoko Ono

Imagine • EMI • 1971

“Imagine” is a beloved classic by the late, great John Lennon. Often, the record is viewed as an inspirational song and certainly thoughtful and uplifting. Nonetheless, Lennon was an atheist. Furthermore, the song lyrics themselves don’t align with the Christian view of heaven and hell, while also implying the lack of God’s existence.

“Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky
Imagine all the people living for today.”

19 Atheistic, Agnostic & Highly Skeptical Songs | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on April 4, 2018April 4, 2018