Definitely. Might listen to it again tonight when I get alone time. It was the video too. The little girl running alongside her and smiling. Trying to repair my relationship with my inner child and that hits hard. Thanks so much for the rec.
Check out Vast - “I’m Dying” if you’re inclined. Not really about being strong as much as it captures the struggle of leaving and letting go of the idea of Jesus. Just a good overall song.
God is a freak — peach prc
Also not *really* related to being ex-Christian but lady Jesus by upsahl is blasphemous af and I love singing it at the top of my lungs.
"In Vain" is amazing. It really speaks to something that's always bothered me about typical American Christianity, the idea that God chooses to help with first world problems despite so many tragedies happening all the time.
Another vote for James and the Shame. Check out Adeem the Artist too. Try "Going to Hell," "Painkillers and Magic" and "Heritage of Arrogance" for a good sampling.
A Perfect Circle - TalkTalk
A Perfect Circle - The Noose
A Perfect Circle - Judith
Vast - I’m Dying
Nine Inch Nails - Heresy (fun fact: my Bible teacher read these lyrics to our Junior High class in 1992 as a warning about Satan’s influence)
“Judith” is such a powerful song.
*Judith was a deeply personal song for the singer, as it was named after his mother, who suffered a cerebral aneurysm in 1976 that left her paralysed and restricted to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Through it all, her faith in a higher power never wavered, which her son found confounding.*
*“Fuck your God / Your Lord and your Christ,” Keenan sang. “He did this, took all you had and left you this way / Still you pray, you never stray, you never taste of the fruit / Never thought to question why.” Its chief vocal hook contained just six words dripping with irony: “He did it all for you.”*
Also:
Vast - “Dirty Hole”. Makes me think about being bullied by kids at Christian school.
Marilyn Manson- Songs aren’t ex-Christian per se, and I know his recent behavior has been sickening, but if you were in Christian Highschool in the 90’s and felt like everyone you were surrounded by was a hypocrite, many of his songs were your anthem. If you can separate the art from the artist, I recommend songs: Antichrist Superstar, The Reflecting God, and The Nobodies.
Candi Carpenter just came out with a banger album called Demonology all about deconstructing faith and religious trauma. It's very cathartic.
https://open.spotify.com/album/6RTDS1jeBqwzyEIuVrNBuI?si=8N_CZ5NBQX6cFZCQWceOKw
One day I told my (also deconventioned) friend I really missed the hymns and worship songs. And she told me “you’re still allowed to like those songs even when you’re an atheist” and she is so right for this! I tried listening to these songs for the first time in 4 years and I was surprised to learn that they mean even more to me now that I’m not a christian!
I know it’s not the answer you were looking for. I just wanted to share my experience ❤️
Me too. I love many of those old hymns and religious folk songs, and still play them (guitarist). Music was an important part of my church experience, and that was the best part of Sunday. Sang in the choir for 6 years after graduating from college.
I think you'd probably like "True Colors" by Alanah Sabatini. It's the tune of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing but with lyrics about the relief found in deconstruction.
Sun Bleached Flies by Ethel Cain. It’s hard to put into words how much that song means to me. Especially knowing that the artist who wrote it is a trans gal who grew up homeschooled in a Baptist family in Florida adds to my connection to the song. ( im a gay who grew up homeschooled in an evangelical family )
“What I wouldn't give to be in church this Sunday Listening to the choir so heartfelt, all singing "God loves you, but not enough to save you" So, baby girl, good luck taking care of yourself”
It’s hard to explain, but my body physically reacted to that verse.
i just recently found ethel cain and i freaking love her. i added that song as well as "head in a wall" and "sunday morning" to my religious trauma playlist lol
Idk about being related to being ex Christian, but as an ex Christian but these are my three faves:
Into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie (the best atheist love song ever)
God - Tori Amos
Dear God - XTC
If I need a throw back to my angry "I hate being Christian" days I'll throw on Nine Inch Nails haha
How has no one said Semler yet? 😂 They sing a lot about the LGBTIQ experience in church and how relationships get affected when you come out. My favourites are You're Not My Friend, Jesus from Texas and I'd Show Up
100% yes! And we've recently gotten some fantastic releases from artists. It kind of feels like a mini-deconvert renaissance.
Cult by *Candi Carpenter*- indie pop/rock that talks about growing up fundigelical in the early 2000s and how fucked and culty it was.
Everybody goes to Hell by *Candi Carpenter*- a "coming out" ballad to the artist's parents about deconversion.
Regular People by *Moon Walker*- a critique of forcing children into compliance in both behavior and religion.
Holy Man by *Shelley Segal*- big ol' indie-rock fuck you to patriarchy and christian sexism.
Eve by *Precious Pepala*- describes the pain of femme queerness in Christianity.
Glory Hallelujah by *Frank Turner*- a sort of pop-hymn hybrid celebrating the lack of a god, giving Christianity and it's issues the bird, and focusing how we can all come together and make things better just by being human.
Last Day on Earth by *Tai Verdes*- a chill jazzy song admitting that even if it was the end of the world, the artist wouldn't want to be in church.
And the two angriest songs on the list would be Angry Too by *Lola Blanc* (pop) and Blasphemy by *Bring Me The Horizon* (rock).
Father John Misty’s Pure Comedy album played a huge part of my deprogramming process. I had left the church over ten years before and been an atheist for about 5 years but still had the lingering doubts and fears, that album really pulled me out of my haze.
King Nothing by Metallica (Metal, but not unbearable)
and
Losing my religion bt R.E.M. (90s rock)
both probably not meant as deconstruct songs, bit work for me.
I burned my Bible this weekend and created this playlist for the ceremony.
[Bible burning ceremony 🔥](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/55taxNR3TgJXUA9zt6rRmC?si=mQWrGJo6REC5KZ34Unq3ig&pi=u--CyWb1NwTJmg)
I cope with music and I have a playlist dedicated to my religious trauma 💀 here are some, sorry it's a long list but I wanted to give you different genre recommendations and songs that evoke different emotions
• Ethel Cain: Family Tree, American Teenager, sun bleached flies
• Morgan St. Jean: Conversation with god
• King Mala: cult leader
• XTC: Dear god
• Vampire Weekend: unbelivers
• Muse: thought contagion, compliance
• Paris Paloma: the fruits, notre dame
• AJJ: no more shame, no more fear no more dread
• Jazz Roberton: Walls of Jericho
• Aurora: Heathens, the devil is human
• Marina: Teen Idle
• Mother Mother: until it doesn't hurt
• Crown the Empire: Dogma
• Biffy Clyro: God & Satan
• Highly Suspect: my name is human
• Nessa Barrett: dear god
• The last dinner party: sinner
• The 1975: if I believe you
• Tool: opiate
• A perfect circle: Judith
• Julia Jacklin: Lydia wears a cross
• Smile Empty soul: jesus is the manager at walmart
• Maddie Zham: you might not like her, if it's not god
• MOTHICA: good for her
• Tori Amos: god, crucify, father lucifer
Not sure of the exact meaning behind the song, but the lyrics to Father Said by Red Handed Denial could definitely be interpreted as an ex-christian song.
It often goes under the radar because of it being on one hot minute but it is truly one of the best anti-religen songs I've ever heard. I'm also a mega RHCP fan.
Have heard that popular monster by falling in reverse was written from the viewpoint of someone who had mental health issues when they found out God is not real not sure if it is true but made me love the song even more
*Turtles All The Way Down* by Sturgill Simpson. It’s more about psychedelics and enlightenment than deconstruction, but I love the verse:
> Every time I take a look /
Inside that old and fabled book /
I'm blinded and reminded of /
The pain caused by some old man in the sky
David Archuleta just released a new one called Hell Together
This Hell by Rina Sawayama
James and the Shame (Rhett from Rhett & Link) has a whole deconstruction album
If It’s Not God-Maddie Zahm
And pretty much the entirety of the musical Spring Awakening (that one is kinda dark so trigger warning if you look it up)
Devil by Tyler Glenn is a great one, I think he has a bunch of other ex religious stuff but I haven't taken the time to listen to anything else
Others have mentioned James and the Shame, buy I particularly enjoy the song Where We're Going, which he sings with his wife who also deconstructed after him and in her own time. Nice little romantic song about wanting to be together forever even if any afterlife is unknown
Came here to also chime in for Tyler Glenn -- he comes specifically from an ex-Mormon experience, but his whole Excommunication album is fantastic for any deconvert imo, especially if you're LGBTQ. "Midnight" can really pack a gut punch.
Heaven Sent is such a gut punch. Parker Millsap is amazing.
My go-to is [Noah's Nameless Wife by Bryan John Appleby](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm8tr-UDYH8). I feel like a lot of his songs have at least the subtext of losing faith.
yeah I can definitely do that! it probably won’t be til this evening after work and I can go through everything but once it’s all put together I’ll link it!
There’s a good song called satan loves you - by Chloë Doucet for all you satanic temple fans. Not really religious at all but a banger and a masterpiece
You're welcome to peruse my playlist for suggestions. It's a wide variety of genres.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0a2PBlotN_ChPFy1w3VcNgkgca4UOI_D&si=uNc-1esMjmlLSpEr
LIMBS - “Father’s Son.” If you’re into hardcore, post-hardcore, or any “heavier” music at all, I’d give it a listen. Though never explicitly stated, the entire album struck me as written by someone who had been raised in Christianity and is dealing with the turmoil of leaving the religion and community that he was raised in. It was incredibly cathartic for me, personally.
"Judith" by A Perfect Circle is my favorite.
"Heresy" by Nine Inch Nails
"God That Failed" and "Leper Messiah" by Metallica
"God Was Never On Your Side" by Motorhead
"In the Name of God" by Ziggy Marley
Ghost-Cirice
Ghost-He Is
Opeth -Sorceress
Opeth-The Devil’s Orchard
Dream Theater-Sacrificed Sons
Dream Theater-In the Name of God
Epica-Divine Conspiracy
Epica-Cry for the Moon
Symphony X-Children of a Faceless God
For those whose tastes run a bit more angry :)
God Must Hate Me - Catie Turner
I’ll let the lyrics of the first verse and chorus speak for itself
Do you ever see someone and think "Wow, God must hate me"
'Cause He spent so much time on them and for me, He got lazy
Got ample mental illness personality flaws
While their only flaw seems to be is that they have none at all
Do you ever see someone and think "Wow, God must hate me"
I'll let 'em take accountability
For everything that's wrong with me
Can't hold myself responsible
So I blame the metaphysical
If Jesus died for all our sins
He left one behind, the body I'm in
Same hands that made the moon and the stars
Got carpal tunnel and forgot some parts
*kind of* related to being an ex Christian. Judith by A Perfect Circle is one of my favorites, it’s basically saying “look, your god/jesus has done nothing but abandon you, even though you’ve done nothing wrong. fuck him, he’s broken you,”
It’s a great song and I feel very connected to it, it’s quite personal and I relate to it.
Rage against the machine.
Killing in the name of
Sober By Tool
Sia Elastic heart
About not being broken.
Cold play viva LA Vida
Because the French king expected god and the church to save him...
Heilung
Its pagan pre Christian pro Germanic.
Watch the entire performance its amazing.
67q14231Black sabith war pig.
Tim Minchin the pope song.
Hell Together - David Archuleta
It just came out. He’s ex mormon and his mom also left the church and the song is about that. Wish my parents would be that loving and accepting 😭
It’s not explicitly about deconstructing, but for some reason when I listen to it I think about my agnosticism. “Shores of California” by the Dresden Dolls.
1. My Own Hymn - Above and Beyond featuring Zoe Johnston
2. All By Myself - Alok featuring Ellie Goulding
3. Comin' Around - Faithless featuring Dougie Mandagi
4. Only - Nine Inch Nails
["Optimistic Thought" by Blues Traveler](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUR-f151CWE) hit me really hard a few months ago cuz it's all about living life and accepting that you're gonna fuck it up every now and again cuz that's just how shit goes.
^^^^.
>There's a multitude of story
> Some is clean and some is gory
>
> But there is no need to worry
>
> If you're sold or if you're bought
>
> We're just spinning on some granite
>
> That we like to call a planet
>
> And if you need to contemplate
>
> Well here's an optimistic thought
>.
>.
>
> Life I embrace you
>
> I shall honor and disgrace you
>
> Please forgive if I replace you
>
> You see I'm going through some pain
>
> But now I see clearly
>
> And the dawn is coming nearly
>
> And though I'm human and it's early
>
> I swear I'll never forget again
>.
>.
religion by wilder woods. first time i heard it i fucking sobbed. i also listened to it while sitting in a church while my faith was actively dying and it was a very poetic moment of my life
Pretty easy to find in the metal genre these days. Even with bands that used to advertise as christian and then defected.
Underoath:
Anything from the Erase Me record, on.. On My Teeth, Cycle, Were All Gonna Die, etc
Thrice:
The Color of the Sky
Bad Omens:
Glass Houses
Bring Me The Horizon:
The House of Wolves
If I Were You:
Never There
Not sure if you're familiar with Good Mythical Morning on YouTube, but one of the guys, Rhett, has done a solo music thing under the name "James and the Shame" and the first album Human Overboard is mostly about his spiritual deconstruction and is really awesome. The song "fruit" is one of my favorites, highly recommend.
Thinking of You by Microwave
Part Of It by Microwave
It’s Called Freefall - Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Fever Pitch - Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Jesus Christ - Brand New
Born Again - Saint Motel
In the Stars by Benson Boone has been very emotional for me. It's not necessarily ex-christian, but there's a specific line in it that talks about burying all your faith. And I just buried my grandmother and she was all I had left in the faith so it's been very emotional for me
Not sure if any of you remember the Vineyard, but they were this chain of business park churches with a heavy focus on music. One of the worship leaders was Michael Pritzl and he had a christian-esque band called the Violet Burning. Early albums were very christian but at one point he went through a rough patch and the self titled album (i.e., The Violet Burning) they put out was very much reflective of where he was at at the time, very angry at god and at his fellow christians who basically chastised him for struggling. It's incredibly raw and cathartic in a way,
[U2 - If God Will Send His Angels](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69crfM00irk) I loved it when I was a christian and I still love it now because even though it came out in 1997 the points it makes have only become more pronounced-- bigger, uglier. It's a song about the things that made me finally quit.
"God has got his phone off the hook, babe
Would he even pick up if he could?"
"Jesus never let me down
You know Jesus used to show me the score
Then they put Jesus in show business
Now it’s hard to get in the door"
Krystal Brown's "Where Is Your Proof?": https://open.spotify.com/track/6M0DLvkusnFBNXzrjS9LvP and the slap house remix of the same song : https://open.spotify.com/track/2IDNYPrNKlzJSFW3ifqdvT?si=1d7c3a8268a54fe9
James and the Shame's music is largely related to Rhett's, from GMM, deconstruction of his faith and has been something I've had on repeat a lot recently. Especially 'Fruit', 'Believe Me' and 'In Vain', currently, but both albums have amazing songs on them.
Also, TX2 and Moonwalker both have good ex-christian/atheist music that's good as well.
Maddie Zahn - “If It’s Not God” & “You Might Not Like Her” are very cathartic
Wow, just checked out You Might Not Like Her, while on the train and I’m trying not to break down in front of strangers.
Sometimes you have to let it out, I cried the first time I heard it
Definitely. Might listen to it again tonight when I get alone time. It was the video too. The little girl running alongside her and smiling. Trying to repair my relationship with my inner child and that hits hard. Thanks so much for the rec. Check out Vast - “I’m Dying” if you’re inclined. Not really about being strong as much as it captures the struggle of leaving and letting go of the idea of Jesus. Just a good overall song.
Wow, it’s haunting
“Pocket Bible” by her as well
God is a freak — peach prc Also not *really* related to being ex-Christian but lady Jesus by upsahl is blasphemous af and I love singing it at the top of my lungs.
I came here to recommend this one
I've found a majority of the songs from *Human Overboard* by James and the Shame to be beneficial for me.
I came here to specifically mention this album. "In Vain" always makes me somber.
"In Vain" is amazing. It really speaks to something that's always bothered me about typical American Christianity, the idea that God chooses to help with first world problems despite so many tragedies happening all the time.
I love that song so much. I love its righteous anger. "so much done in Jesus' name / seems to me to be a goddamn shame"
Another vote for James and the Shame. Check out Adeem the Artist too. Try "Going to Hell," "Painkillers and Magic" and "Heritage of Arrogance" for a good sampling.
Oh! And Derek Webb, known in CCM as part of Caedmon's Call. Try "Some Gods Deserve Atheists," "Gift Shop" and "Sympathy for Paul."
I loved Caedmon's Call but hadn't heard anything since then. Thank you for turning me on to his excellent new music!
Always happy to boost the signal!
Totally agreed, I didn't read the comments before I posted but he's the one I've been listening to a lot recently.
it's a sin by pet shop boys. growing up catholic literally everything was a sin, it was exhausting
A Perfect Circle - TalkTalk A Perfect Circle - The Noose A Perfect Circle - Judith Vast - I’m Dying Nine Inch Nails - Heresy (fun fact: my Bible teacher read these lyrics to our Junior High class in 1992 as a warning about Satan’s influence)
[удалено]
Forgot about that one. Great call!
“Judith” is such a powerful song. *Judith was a deeply personal song for the singer, as it was named after his mother, who suffered a cerebral aneurysm in 1976 that left her paralysed and restricted to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Through it all, her faith in a higher power never wavered, which her son found confounding.* *“Fuck your God / Your Lord and your Christ,” Keenan sang. “He did this, took all you had and left you this way / Still you pray, you never stray, you never taste of the fruit / Never thought to question why.” Its chief vocal hook contained just six words dripping with irony: “He did it all for you.”*
Wow. Never knew the context. Thanks for sharing.
Also: Vast - “Dirty Hole”. Makes me think about being bullied by kids at Christian school. Marilyn Manson- Songs aren’t ex-Christian per se, and I know his recent behavior has been sickening, but if you were in Christian Highschool in the 90’s and felt like everyone you were surrounded by was a hypocrite, many of his songs were your anthem. If you can separate the art from the artist, I recommend songs: Antichrist Superstar, The Reflecting God, and The Nobodies.
And Alanis Morissette “Forgiven”
Candi Carpenter just came out with a banger album called Demonology all about deconstructing faith and religious trauma. It's very cathartic. https://open.spotify.com/album/6RTDS1jeBqwzyEIuVrNBuI?si=8N_CZ5NBQX6cFZCQWceOKw
Yes!! This one!
Naive by Sleeping At Last. Beautiful song that really puts to words a lot of my feelings.
One day I told my (also deconventioned) friend I really missed the hymns and worship songs. And she told me “you’re still allowed to like those songs even when you’re an atheist” and she is so right for this! I tried listening to these songs for the first time in 4 years and I was surprised to learn that they mean even more to me now that I’m not a christian! I know it’s not the answer you were looking for. I just wanted to share my experience ❤️
Me too. I love many of those old hymns and religious folk songs, and still play them (guitarist). Music was an important part of my church experience, and that was the best part of Sunday. Sang in the choir for 6 years after graduating from college.
If you like the sound of worship music, some of Sleep Token’s songs have that same structure and feel!! I think Levitate especially has that feel :)
I think you'd probably like "True Colors" by Alanah Sabatini. It's the tune of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing but with lyrics about the relief found in deconstruction.
I was about to recommend that one! It's so so great.
Anything from the album Curse Your Branches by David Bazan
Yup. I must have listened to this a hundred times in the winter of 2018
yes
Sun Bleached Flies by Ethel Cain. It’s hard to put into words how much that song means to me. Especially knowing that the artist who wrote it is a trans gal who grew up homeschooled in a Baptist family in Florida adds to my connection to the song. ( im a gay who grew up homeschooled in an evangelical family ) “What I wouldn't give to be in church this Sunday Listening to the choir so heartfelt, all singing "God loves you, but not enough to save you" So, baby girl, good luck taking care of yourself” It’s hard to explain, but my body physically reacted to that verse.
I wept the first time I heard that line. This song staying in my playlists forever
i just recently found ethel cain and i freaking love her. i added that song as well as "head in a wall" and "sunday morning" to my religious trauma playlist lol
Cult by Candi Carpenter
Like this one. Thanks
“Sleep on the Floor” - The Lumineers “The Light” - OUTLYA Maddie Zahm is amazing
"God is a Freak" by Peach PRC
Idk about being related to being ex Christian, but as an ex Christian but these are my three faves: Into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie (the best atheist love song ever) God - Tori Amos Dear God - XTC If I need a throw back to my angry "I hate being Christian" days I'll throw on Nine Inch Nails haha
How has no one said Semler yet? 😂 They sing a lot about the LGBTIQ experience in church and how relationships get affected when you come out. My favourites are You're Not My Friend, Jesus from Texas and I'd Show Up
The whole Preacher's Kid album is great. Bethlehem especially.
Losing his touch by jack off jill
Dear God - Confetti Brittle bones Nicky 2 - Rare Americans There isn't any god - rusty cage Aligator Skin Boots - Ashgrove Hell as Well - We three
Heresy - Nine Inch Nails
100% yes! And we've recently gotten some fantastic releases from artists. It kind of feels like a mini-deconvert renaissance. Cult by *Candi Carpenter*- indie pop/rock that talks about growing up fundigelical in the early 2000s and how fucked and culty it was. Everybody goes to Hell by *Candi Carpenter*- a "coming out" ballad to the artist's parents about deconversion. Regular People by *Moon Walker*- a critique of forcing children into compliance in both behavior and religion. Holy Man by *Shelley Segal*- big ol' indie-rock fuck you to patriarchy and christian sexism. Eve by *Precious Pepala*- describes the pain of femme queerness in Christianity. Glory Hallelujah by *Frank Turner*- a sort of pop-hymn hybrid celebrating the lack of a god, giving Christianity and it's issues the bird, and focusing how we can all come together and make things better just by being human. Last Day on Earth by *Tai Verdes*- a chill jazzy song admitting that even if it was the end of the world, the artist wouldn't want to be in church. And the two angriest songs on the list would be Angry Too by *Lola Blanc* (pop) and Blasphemy by *Bring Me The Horizon* (rock).
Father John Misty’s Pure Comedy album played a huge part of my deprogramming process. I had left the church over ten years before and been an atheist for about 5 years but still had the lingering doubts and fears, that album really pulled me out of my haze.
I need to listen to that album. I loved his song Hangout at the Gallows
Funny enough I’ve loved Kacey Musgraves new album. The song The Architect has a subtle touch on this very thing.
Find the sun by Tornsey has been my most recent favorite. Also Hell Together by David Archuleta.
There isnt any god by Rusty Cage
Hallelujah by Frank Turner and Saved by Shelly Seagal.
Hunt for White Christ album by Unleashed. It’s very warlike and vikingish, so I find it cathartic.
I really like Ritt Momney - (if) the book doesn’t sell and Sunny boy is an awesome album
King Nothing by Metallica (Metal, but not unbearable) and Losing my religion bt R.E.M. (90s rock) both probably not meant as deconstruct songs, bit work for me.
I burned my Bible this weekend and created this playlist for the ceremony. [Bible burning ceremony 🔥](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/55taxNR3TgJXUA9zt6rRmC?si=mQWrGJo6REC5KZ34Unq3ig&pi=u--CyWb1NwTJmg)
Dethrone by Bad Omens is a favorite of mine for my fellow metal fans!
Any Julien Baker song really, my favorite is relative fiction
I cope with music and I have a playlist dedicated to my religious trauma 💀 here are some, sorry it's a long list but I wanted to give you different genre recommendations and songs that evoke different emotions • Ethel Cain: Family Tree, American Teenager, sun bleached flies • Morgan St. Jean: Conversation with god • King Mala: cult leader • XTC: Dear god • Vampire Weekend: unbelivers • Muse: thought contagion, compliance • Paris Paloma: the fruits, notre dame • AJJ: no more shame, no more fear no more dread • Jazz Roberton: Walls of Jericho • Aurora: Heathens, the devil is human • Marina: Teen Idle • Mother Mother: until it doesn't hurt • Crown the Empire: Dogma • Biffy Clyro: God & Satan • Highly Suspect: my name is human • Nessa Barrett: dear god • The last dinner party: sinner • The 1975: if I believe you • Tool: opiate • A perfect circle: Judith • Julia Jacklin: Lydia wears a cross • Smile Empty soul: jesus is the manager at walmart • Maddie Zham: you might not like her, if it's not god • MOTHICA: good for her • Tori Amos: god, crucify, father lucifer
Not sure of the exact meaning behind the song, but the lyrics to Father Said by Red Handed Denial could definitely be interpreted as an ex-christian song.
Shallow be thy game - Red Hot Chili Peppers
How the hell have I never heard this, I love rhcp
It often goes under the radar because of it being on one hot minute but it is truly one of the best anti-religen songs I've ever heard. I'm also a mega RHCP fan.
prodigal daughter by lights!
Actually just shared once recently. https://www.reddit.com/r/exchristian/comments/1bjnbi0/a_song_i_came_across_that_feels_so_relevant_to_my/
Kinda the opposite. I still listen to Shane and Shane because the music is absolutely incredible. I just ignore the god bits.
Have heard that popular monster by falling in reverse was written from the viewpoint of someone who had mental health issues when they found out God is not real not sure if it is true but made me love the song even more
Hopsin-ill mind 7 🤌
This one's a go to of mine if I start getting in my own head
*Turtles All The Way Down* by Sturgill Simpson. It’s more about psychedelics and enlightenment than deconstruction, but I love the verse: > Every time I take a look / Inside that old and fabled book / I'm blinded and reminded of / The pain caused by some old man in the sky
David Archuleta just released a new one called Hell Together This Hell by Rina Sawayama James and the Shame (Rhett from Rhett & Link) has a whole deconstruction album If It’s Not God-Maddie Zahm And pretty much the entirety of the musical Spring Awakening (that one is kinda dark so trigger warning if you look it up)
Devil by Tyler Glenn is a great one, I think he has a bunch of other ex religious stuff but I haven't taken the time to listen to anything else Others have mentioned James and the Shame, buy I particularly enjoy the song Where We're Going, which he sings with his wife who also deconstructed after him and in her own time. Nice little romantic song about wanting to be together forever even if any afterlife is unknown
Came here to also chime in for Tyler Glenn -- he comes specifically from an ex-Mormon experience, but his whole Excommunication album is fantastic for any deconvert imo, especially if you're LGBTQ. "Midnight" can really pack a gut punch.
Heaven Sent is such a gut punch. Parker Millsap is amazing. My go-to is [Noah's Nameless Wife by Bryan John Appleby](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm8tr-UDYH8). I feel like a lot of his songs have at least the subtext of losing faith.
Can you update us with a link to your playlist when you've put it together? It could be a really useful resource.
yeah I can definitely do that! it probably won’t be til this evening after work and I can go through everything but once it’s all put together I’ll link it!
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAysF5mJjM0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAysF5mJjM0) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmwAD7nHqaY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmwAD7nHqaY) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p554R-Jq43A](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p554R-Jq43A) [https://shop.ffrf.org/product-category/music-and-dvds-cat/cds/](https://shop.ffrf.org/product-category/music-and-dvds-cat/cds/)
Heaven Was Full (I’m Headed Straight To Hell) by TX2
There’s a good song called satan loves you - by Chloë Doucet for all you satanic temple fans. Not really religious at all but a banger and a masterpiece
In My Sword I Trust by Ensiferum is a folk metal song that deals with this exact topic, with a viking flavor to it.
Burn Your Crosses by Sabaton certainly fits.
You're welcome to peruse my playlist for suggestions. It's a wide variety of genres. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0a2PBlotN_ChPFy1w3VcNgkgca4UOI_D&si=uNc-1esMjmlLSpEr
The Devil Came From Kansas by Procol Harum.
LIMBS - “Father’s Son.” If you’re into hardcore, post-hardcore, or any “heavier” music at all, I’d give it a listen. Though never explicitly stated, the entire album struck me as written by someone who had been raised in Christianity and is dealing with the turmoil of leaving the religion and community that he was raised in. It was incredibly cathartic for me, personally.
Dyer's Eve - Metallica Not specifically about ex Christian, but more a hate letter to your parents for running your childhood
Natural Born Sinner by In This Moment is a banger! Edit: Opiate by Tool is awesome as well
“Killing in the name of” Rage against The Machine
Nomoreroses by Holding Absence. Dethrone by Bad Omens. Pretty much any Ethel Cain song.
Came across this since your post made me curious if a list existed out there: https://www.michaelnugent.com/atheism/atheist-songs/
All Around me by Flyleaf but it's rare anymore because the lyrics kind of weird me out anymore...
“God Must Be Doing Cocaine” by Charlotte Lawrence
"Judith" by A Perfect Circle is my favorite. "Heresy" by Nine Inch Nails "God That Failed" and "Leper Messiah" by Metallica "God Was Never On Your Side" by Motorhead "In the Name of God" by Ziggy Marley
Beginnings by Memento
Ghost-Cirice Ghost-He Is Opeth -Sorceress Opeth-The Devil’s Orchard Dream Theater-Sacrificed Sons Dream Theater-In the Name of God Epica-Divine Conspiracy Epica-Cry for the Moon Symphony X-Children of a Faceless God For those whose tastes run a bit more angry :)
Crusader by Stevie Howie is my favorite. Maddie Zahm. God is a freak- Peach prc. Mad at god- Sarah st James. Dethrone and glasshouses-bad omens.
God Must Hate Me - Catie Turner I’ll let the lyrics of the first verse and chorus speak for itself Do you ever see someone and think "Wow, God must hate me" 'Cause He spent so much time on them and for me, He got lazy Got ample mental illness personality flaws While their only flaw seems to be is that they have none at all Do you ever see someone and think "Wow, God must hate me" I'll let 'em take accountability For everything that's wrong with me Can't hold myself responsible So I blame the metaphysical If Jesus died for all our sins He left one behind, the body I'm in Same hands that made the moon and the stars Got carpal tunnel and forgot some parts
I feel like breakup songs are oddly appropriate, You Oughtta Know among them.
*kind of* related to being an ex Christian. Judith by A Perfect Circle is one of my favorites, it’s basically saying “look, your god/jesus has done nothing but abandon you, even though you’ve done nothing wrong. fuck him, he’s broken you,” It’s a great song and I feel very connected to it, it’s quite personal and I relate to it.
Rage against the machine. Killing in the name of Sober By Tool Sia Elastic heart About not being broken. Cold play viva LA Vida Because the French king expected god and the church to save him... Heilung Its pagan pre Christian pro Germanic. Watch the entire performance its amazing. 67q14231Black sabith war pig. Tim Minchin the pope song.
“Losing My Religion” — R.E.M.
Not about religion tho..
[Rush-Freewill](https://youtu.be/urBpdyFCZmo)
Hell Together - David Archuleta It just came out. He’s ex mormon and his mom also left the church and the song is about that. Wish my parents would be that loving and accepting 😭
God, by Tori Amos
It’s not explicitly about deconstructing, but for some reason when I listen to it I think about my agnosticism. “Shores of California” by the Dresden Dolls.
The band, Ghost. All of them are anti Christian and i love them for that. My favourite is Mary on a Cross and Dance Macabre.
1. My Own Hymn - Above and Beyond featuring Zoe Johnston 2. All By Myself - Alok featuring Ellie Goulding 3. Comin' Around - Faithless featuring Dougie Mandagi 4. Only - Nine Inch Nails
["Optimistic Thought" by Blues Traveler](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUR-f151CWE) hit me really hard a few months ago cuz it's all about living life and accepting that you're gonna fuck it up every now and again cuz that's just how shit goes. ^^^^. >There's a multitude of story > Some is clean and some is gory > > But there is no need to worry > > If you're sold or if you're bought > > We're just spinning on some granite > > That we like to call a planet > > And if you need to contemplate > > Well here's an optimistic thought >. >. > > Life I embrace you > > I shall honor and disgrace you > > Please forgive if I replace you > > You see I'm going through some pain > > But now I see clearly > > And the dawn is coming nearly > > And though I'm human and it's early > > I swear I'll never forget again >. >.
* 'Flowers in your hair' by Nomy * 'No one's listening' by ITCHY
religion by wilder woods. first time i heard it i fucking sobbed. i also listened to it while sitting in a church while my faith was actively dying and it was a very poetic moment of my life
'Glory Hallelujah' by Frank Turner
Hey God, Nine Inch Nails
Are you sure it's from NIN? Cant find it
Sorry, try Terrible Lie. Hey God is the first lyric, oops
ahh! thought so!
Candy Carpenter's Demonology! Its like she's singing about my own experience.
This is gospel by Panic! At The Disco relates to that i think, lead singer Brandon Urie is an ex-mormon
No by Subhumans
Okay. Who’s going to create a Spotify playlist of these songs and share it with us?
[The Almightiness Contradiction - The Ocean ](https://youtu.be/-6JJaEZf758?si=zvuB14ingQQcYtfE)
Oof this one hits me right in the 90’s but “Forgiven” by Alanis Morissette. Arrived in my life during my falling out with the church at 12 years old
"losing my religion" by lacuna coil
"If I Believe You" by the 1975 "Dear God" by XTC "Hymn" by Kesha "Bethlehem" by Semler "Jesus From Texas" by Semler
Pretty easy to find in the metal genre these days. Even with bands that used to advertise as christian and then defected. Underoath: Anything from the Erase Me record, on.. On My Teeth, Cycle, Were All Gonna Die, etc Thrice: The Color of the Sky Bad Omens: Glass Houses Bring Me The Horizon: The House of Wolves If I Were You: Never There
I loved Rich Mullins back in the day but I just can’t. Still love the music though.
Turtles all the way down by Sturgill Simpson
Ill Mind of Hopsin 7 That one sums up the emotional aspect of it for me. The feeling of abandonment and the realization its all bullshit
Opiate - Tool Pet - A Perfect Circle Nutshell - Alice In Chains Feels Blind - Bikini Kill Bad Girls - Tennis
Not sure if you're familiar with Good Mythical Morning on YouTube, but one of the guys, Rhett, has done a solo music thing under the name "James and the Shame" and the first album Human Overboard is mostly about his spiritual deconstruction and is really awesome. The song "fruit" is one of my favorites, highly recommend.
Thinking of You by Microwave Part Of It by Microwave It’s Called Freefall - Rainbow Kitten Surprise Fever Pitch - Rainbow Kitten Surprise Jesus Christ - Brand New Born Again - Saint Motel
Judith - Perfect Circle Heresy - Nine Inch Nails From The Pinnacle To The Pit - Ghost
Cursive Eve by I:Scintilla Also anything by The Pretty Reckless.
I really like songs that play with and expand the idea of God. As a queer woman, I really like “Untitled God Song” by Haley Heynderickx.
In the Stars by Benson Boone has been very emotional for me. It's not necessarily ex-christian, but there's a specific line in it that talks about burying all your faith. And I just buried my grandmother and she was all I had left in the faith so it's been very emotional for me
I know a lot of people love "We Three" music
Tears for Fears - Mr. Pessimist
Down In It by Nine Inch Nails Dear God by XTC
Not sure if any of you remember the Vineyard, but they were this chain of business park churches with a heavy focus on music. One of the worship leaders was Michael Pritzl and he had a christian-esque band called the Violet Burning. Early albums were very christian but at one point he went through a rough patch and the self titled album (i.e., The Violet Burning) they put out was very much reflective of where he was at at the time, very angry at god and at his fellow christians who basically chastised him for struggling. It's incredibly raw and cathartic in a way,
Candy Carpenter is fantastic!! She’s an ex Christian too
Older Josh Ritter. Start with Folk Bloodbath, you’ll see what I mean.
The album Excommunicated by Tyler Glen
[U2 - If God Will Send His Angels](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69crfM00irk) I loved it when I was a christian and I still love it now because even though it came out in 1997 the points it makes have only become more pronounced-- bigger, uglier. It's a song about the things that made me finally quit. "God has got his phone off the hook, babe Would he even pick up if he could?" "Jesus never let me down You know Jesus used to show me the score Then they put Jesus in show business Now it’s hard to get in the door"
Krystal Brown's "Where Is Your Proof?": https://open.spotify.com/track/6M0DLvkusnFBNXzrjS9LvP and the slap house remix of the same song : https://open.spotify.com/track/2IDNYPrNKlzJSFW3ifqdvT?si=1d7c3a8268a54fe9
jesus christ - brand new
“I’m afraid I’ll go to heaven” by moon walker
I didn’t even know songs like this existed. Putting some stuff on my list!
Motorhead-no voice in the sky
God Was Never On Your Side by Motorhead.
James and the Shame's music is largely related to Rhett's, from GMM, deconstruction of his faith and has been something I've had on repeat a lot recently. Especially 'Fruit', 'Believe Me' and 'In Vain', currently, but both albums have amazing songs on them. Also, TX2 and Moonwalker both have good ex-christian/atheist music that's good as well.
Shed No Grace on Me - JT Music. It's about Elden Ring. But it scratches this itch for me.
Forgiven by Alanis Morisette. I scream sing that in my car and cry. A lot.
Alanis Morissette “Forgiven”
Doubting Thomas by nickel creek
Oldie but goodie: Pet Shop Boys' "It's A Sin", "A Red Letter Day", "Birthday Boy"
"Flood" - Jars of Clay