Path of Reason: Anthems for Atheists

By A. C. LaMonica

Here is a top 10 list (in no particular order) of inspirational music for the atheist. Feel free to share your favorite anthems for atheists in the comments!

1. NINE INCH NAILS - Heresy

If ever an anthem there was for atheists, this may be it. The harshness of the raw industrial style matches the brutal reality contained within the lyrics as well.

2. EXTREME - There is no God

Better known for their rock ballad, More Than Words, Extreme is by far one of the most underrated rock bands of their time. This song is from their album, Waiting For the Punchline, and demonstrates their heavy, bluesy, hard rock style with raw and provocative lyrics to match.

3. A PERFECT CIRCLE - Judith

This song rocks in a way that only Maynard James Keenan can. It's lyrics focus on Christianity in a blunt but sobering sense. The catchy lyrics manage to bring up deeper questions that confront the believer.

4. JOHN LENNON - God

Although less familiar to most people, John Lennon's song God was quite controversial. It is basically comprised of a list of the things that he does not believe in or has given up on. People still dispute the precise meaning of the song.

5. CARNIVORE - God is Dead

Peter Steele of Type O Negative was originally in the band, Carnivore. They managed to make an interesting mix of thrash, classic rock, and metal. Steele's lyrics were often exaggerations and at times had a humorous spin. This song is about how mankind killed God.

6. ATHEIST - No Truth

Atheist are considered one of the pioneers of the progressive death metal genre and are thought of as being ahead of their time, musically. With a name like Atheist it's not surprising that they are considered the "thinking man's metal".

7. GENESIS - Jesus He Knows Me

Legendary prog-rockers, Genesis, take a stab at the hypocrisy of Christianity with a focus on the money-hungry televangelists. This is a catchy tune that everyone has heard at some point.

8. DEAD KENNEDYS - Moral Majority

Blunt, simple, and to-the-point, just like punk should be.

9. DEICIDE - F**k Your God

deicide - definition - 1 : the act of killing a divine being or a symbolic substitute of such a being 2 : the killer or destroyer of a god

The name of the band speaks for itself. Death metal to the bone!

10. FRANK ZAPPA - Dumb All Over

Has Zappa influenced Sam Harris? Religious fanatics plus fatal technology equals bad news for the rest of the sane world!

For lyrics to the songs check out the follow links:

1. Nine Inch Nails - Heresy -

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/nineinchnails/heresy.html

2. Extreme - There is no God -

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/extreme/thereisnogod.html