Metal Reviews

Song's like "God's Love" or "Atheist Peace" definitely strike a chord with me. But then again, I'm one of the most outspoken atheists I know, and that's only because I don't personally know Hitchens and Dawkins.

Atheist Peace is a song I definitely don't agree with. But I do think Graffin makes some valid points in God's Love. I also find his lyrics for Live Again (The Fall Of Man) to be quite thought-provoking.

It should be mentioned that most of BR's religion-tirades are written by Graffin. Brett's also written about religion before, but usually not with the same cynical tone Graffin typically has.

I can listen to bands with singers who are atheists or Christians(I'm a Christian myself)it doesn't bother me.

I think as a Christian you're strong in your faith that it really doesn't matter so as long as you don't follow the example or beliefs that some singers do.

Agreed. Although, personally, I do have limits (that's just me, though).

The main risk with a musician with an ideology is that the music loses quality as a result of over-focusing on the ideology. This seems to be the case in much of Christian rock or metal, as it appears that the Christian community will buy anything regardless of musical quality. Of course, this also happens with the exact opposite ideologies.

Won't argue with you, here.

I'm interested, what would some examples of stuff that's just too far for you be?

So do I in fact I don't listen to any black metal with the exception of Summoning that's because their lyrics are Tolkien based fantasy.

Of course I couldn't stand black metal anyway before I became a Christian because I thought the satanism was way over the top.

But I do listen to death metal,thrash metal,now getting into funeral doom not your typical Christian style of music but nonetheless I'm strong in my faith that I still love God(sorry if that makes you guys uncomfortable but oh well).

Heck one of my favorite bands is Judas Priest who's lead singer is gay. I'm against homosexuality but that doesn't stop me from listening to JP.

I want to hear MetalStorm's justification for religious belief and homophobia. I'd be interested in hearing his arguments.

http://www.metal-archives.com/viewlyrics.php?id=715593

It doesn't make me uncomfortable, it just makes me think less of you intellectually. Especially seeing the sentence that followed.

That's ridiculous. I don't have a problem with it, but it seems pretty pointless, unless it's trying to emulate cultural sentiments of a certain historical and cultural context.

Let me clarify this that I'm not homophobic. I worked with gays and lesbians and never felt uncomfortable. Yes because of my beliefs I'm against it but it doesn't make me uneasy so as long as they don't flirt or make passes at me.

Interesting topic (my motivation in posting this piece of news, admittedly!). I've said this before, but religiousity or lack of can have a huge effect on the resulting music. For example, Gospel music has a unique atmosphere that is great when I'm in the right mood; I'm also a fairly big fan of U2, a fairly openly Christian band... Now, even the NSBM bands can create a compelling atmosphere of their own, but a lot of the time listening to music depends on my mood or what I want my mood to be (eg listening to Hammerfall to cheer me up) rather than ideology - I certainly wouldn't dismiss a band out of hand for not fitting in with my own beliefs (Atheist-Buddist, sort of, at the time of writing). Let's make things political - Rush are pretty much my favourite band, yet I couldn't disagree more with their politics. I listen to the Rolling Stones despite not being a hedonistic Rock star; I listen to plenty of Satanic BM bands despite not believing in him; I listen to religious music despite not being so. As often as not, the change in beliefs is as exciting and as fun an experience to hear as the style of music.

Agreed!!!!!

I'm neutral with the issue of homosexuality. I'm totally open to the possibility of it being a biological thing that can't be helped (hey, the evidence is certainly there!). But I also naturally have reservations and skepticism about it. It's a debate that will probably go on forever, and one that perhaps roots in the whole "nature vs. nurture" issue in Psychology.

And Frigid, if you honestly think there's no intellectual thought involved in Christianity or any other religion, you seriously need to consider studying religious/metaphysical philosophy. You'll see how deep religious belief can really go (and it will also clear up some misconceptions you appear to have about it).

Ok, how do you justify your judgement of an entire group of people without knowing anything about them other than their sexual orientation, something entirely private and none of your business whatsoever?

I don't judge anyone where in my posts does it say I judge. I'm against homosexuality not the individual. I'm against the act of same sex sexuality.

I'm also against abortion but that doesn't mean I hate a woman because she got an abortion.

I don't think there's no intellectual thought involved, I'm aware of the complex climbing on glass that goes on in theological debates. I just think it's really bad reasoning. Sure, they're making a huge effort, but it's not good reasoning. Thomas Aquinas' proofs, for example, are bullshit. Completely.
And I don't have misconceptions about it, I make it a point to study something before expressing an opinion, and since I've been on the atheist bus for about 4 years now I've made a point to find out as much as I can about different degrees of religious belief.

What the heck does homosexuality have to do with it? I'm assuming we all listen to Judas Priest here.