Okay, so, I’m an athiest. However, there are some religious songs I like:
“Spirit in the Sky” - Norman Greenbaum
“Love is the Answer” - England Dan and John Ford Coley
“People Get Ready” - studio version by Rod Stewart/Jeff Beck & live version by Phil Collins
“Wings of a Dove” - Ferlin Husky
“I Have a Dream” - ABBA
Well, non-believers, what can you add?
One my all-time favorite songs was released in 2002: “When the Man Comes Around”, a spiritual about Judgement Day by Johnny Cash, a Bible-believing Baptist. (I’ve been an atheist for 30 years, but good music papers over these brief differences).
I don’t know if “What a Wonderful World” counts, but I love it, along with most religious people I know.
Honorable mention for “Peace in the Valley, “You Got to Move” by Mississippi Fred McDowell, “Oh Death” by Charley Patton, and Hank Williams’ “I Saw the Light”.”
Amazing Grace by far.
Also partial to Ave Maria.
Plastic Jesus!
Negativland’s Christianity Is Stupid
Ok, The Man In Black by Johnny Cash is as close to a religious song I like. 'Course, that’s only if you think of “religious” as “Christian.” The Church of Satan is a recognized religion, y’know. Considered putting that down as my religion when I enlisted, but thought better of it.
Er… come to think of it, Queen’s first album was Christian in a decidedly odd way. Unless there’s a greater message and I’m being whooshed by the ghost of Freddie Mercury.
Just a Closer Walk With Thee
Any of those old Gospel songs with their characteristic chord changes.
Jeez, there’s a lot of good songs that mention or invoke the Big G. I’ve never heard of an atheist refusing to like a song on principle because it contains the word “god,” but I suppose it’s possible. Anyway, faves that occur to me off the top of my head would be:
“Jesus Gonna Be Here,” Tom Waits
“My Sweet Lord,” “All Those Years Ago,” George Harrison
“Every Grain of Sand,” Bob Dylan (the demo version on Bootleg—gives me the shivers)
“God’s Comic,” Elvis Costello (not sure if EC is Xian or not; great song anyway)
“Tomorrow, Wendy,” Concrete Blonde
Plus most of my favorite Christmas songs tend to be of the religious variety, simply because (IMO) they tend to be better musically.
*Amazing Grace
Bob Marley’s One Love*
Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven
Any number of songs by Johnny Cash. He had a knack for witnessing in his music without ever sounding judgemental or smug. Even this agnostic can be moved by him.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken I always liked.
If we are throwing in Christmas songs, A Midnight Clear
I loved the movie Tender Mercies and its soundtrack.
Gotta be “Carry the Light” by Twila Paris & friends.
I’ve been looking for a recording of that for almost a decade-and-a-half.
(Although I gotta admit, Michael W. Smith sure has some movin’ stuff. Too bad he bought into the whole Cassie-Bernall-said-yes myth.)
How is Tears in Heaven a religious song?
May I just mention how much I love this board? Where else are you going to find a thread about spiritual songs for atheists?
P.O.D. “I’m So Alice”
Evanscence “My Immortal”
Evanscence “Bring Me to Life”
I realize Evanscence now claims they shouldn’t have been stocked by Christian stores, but c’mon, listen to some of those lyrics.
Another vote for “Spirit in the Sky”, and any number of Christmas songs that are quite enjoyable no matter what one’s religious affiliations, or lack thereof.
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
I’ll Fly Away
Will the Circle Be Unbroken
All traditional gospel. I’m a lifelong atheist but I love gospel music.
I’ll also add the classic song by The Band, The Weight.
Haj
Well, I’m either an atheist or an agnostic(creation of the universe is my hangup) but I went to an Episcopal school for 14 years. I love hymns and Christmas carols for their musical qualities. They’re so catchy if nothing else.
I also insist on celebrating Christmas with all the trimmings.
-Lil
I love lots of Bob Marley’s stuff, I guess I’d put Redemption Song at #1.
John the Revelator, as done by Gov’t Mule.
I’m not sure which other songs I’d characterize as religious as opposed to simply yelling “lord!” or something similar.
Oh, Holy Night
Amazing Grace
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
When the Saints Come Marching In
Also (and I’m a little ashamed to admit it, because it’s not a very good song, but it’s really simple and sticks in your head) there’s this song…the first line is (and most of the song, actually) “Our God is an awesome God” It’s sort of marchlike, and slips into a minor key…
Flood by Jars of Clay
That song still gives me goosebumps.
“Battle Hmyn of the Republic”, “Silent Night”, “The First Noel”, “The Little Drummer Boy”, and “We Three Kings of Orient Are” are my favorite traditional songs.
“Mary Did You Know” and “What if Jesus Comes Back Like That” are two more recent ones.
I’m an agnostic, and my favoritest musical ever is Jesus Christ Superstar. It makes me happy every time I listen to it, even when Jesus is being crucified. I can’t explain it, but it does make me feel a bit weird.
“Lonesome Valley” by the Fairfield Four gives me that goosebumps feeling, as do the following songs from the O Brother soundtrack:
Down to the River to Pray (Alison Krauss)
I’ll Fly Away (Allison Krauss / Gillian Welch)
I am Weary (Let Me Rest) (The Cox Family)
O Death (Ralph Stanley)
And can anyone really say no to The Hallelujah Chorus?
[Hijack]
When discussing the preparations for my father’s funeral a few years ago, the reverend said that he was going to play my father’s favorite hymn, Amazing Grace. My two brothers and I looked stunned for several seconds. Never in my life had I EVER heard my father make a reference to that song, or any religious songs. As far as we could figure out, that was his favorite because it was the only one he knew.
[/Hijack]
As far as the OP, though, I have ALWAYS loved Place In This World by Michael W Smith.
I always got a kick out of the fervently nationalist hymn I Vow To Thee My Country, in the same way I love the Hank Williams Jr. song If the South Woulda Won, just because they’re so not me.
I Vow to Thee… was also Princess Di’s fave. How odd.