When listing American rock bands that have stood the test of time, Bad Religion makes the front page of that list. Bad Religion is an American punk band that was formed in the early “80s”. Since its inception, many have joined and similarly left the group.
The band is currently made up of singer Greg Graffin who happens to be the only lasting member, guitarist Brett Gurewitz, bassist Jay Bentley, guitarist Brian Baker, guitarist Mike Dimkich and drummer Jamie Miller.
For the past 42 years, Bad Religion has garnered a steadily growing fanbase and is now a band newcomers look up to. However, the question of their religious status has always raised public debates and controversies. Many wonders if the band is a Christian band or not as some of their songs pass ambiguous messages.
To clarify this, this article will analyze the lyrics and themes embedded in their songs. Also, we’ll assess the religious backgrounds of members of the band and any public comments they’ve made about this issue.
Is Bad Religion a Religious Band?
Although Bad Religion has several songs with religious and spiritual themes, we can’t label it a religious band. The group of quinquagenarians and sexagenarians have revealed in most of their songs and interviews that they don’t believe in religion, but rather in the philosophies of life and are not a part of any religious group.
In a 2013 interview with Loudwire, the band members; Bentley, Baker, and former member Wackerman revealed that they do not believe in any religion. According to Wackerman “I don’t believe in religion, I believe in family and friends”. Bentley stated clearly as well that he does not subscribe to any religion.
In another interview with Louderman and other members of the band; Brett Gurewitz and Graffin, Brett in that interview revealed that although he is from a Jewish family, he never practised the religion. Both revealed that they are not religious.
Although members of the band are not religious, we’ve noticed that there are some religious and spiritual elements in their songs. According to them, they don’t believe in religion but can’t deny the fact that Christian teachings have influenced their songs and they draw inspiration from some biblical stories.
In “Faith Alone” by Bad Religion, the artists describe a situation where someone visits a church(synagogue) with personal problems, but doesn’t seem to get an answer to those problems. He leaves the synagogue kind of disappointed and concludes that having faith in a religious body won’t save us.
“Heard a sermon from a creaky pulpit with no one in the nave
I paid a visit to the synagogue, and I left there feeling blame
No one can tell me what to do
They had not the capacity to answer me
What the world needs now is some answers to our problems…………
If your soul needs love, you can get consoled by pity
But it looks as though faith alone won’t sustain us no more”
The lines below from “The Answer” by Bad Religion have a religious message. In the song, the artists try to describe a man who came as a Saviour to take away suffering, compelled people to follow him but things never changed. This is similar to biblical stories of Jesus Christ, visiting different places to share the gospel and compel people to follow him.
“Long ago in a dusty village
Full of hunger, pain, and strife
A man came forth with a vision of truth
And the way to a better life
He was convinced he had the answer
And he compelled people to follow along
But the hunger never vanished
At a time when wise men peered
Through glass tubes toward the sky
The heavens changed in predictable ways
And one man was able to find
That he had thought he found the answer
And he was quick to write his revelation
But as they were scrutinized”
After analyzing the lyrics of songs by Bad Religion that have religious and spiritual themes, we can’t say the band is a religious band owing to the context in which those lyrics were used.
What kind of Music Band is Bad Religion?
Bad Religion is popularly known as an American Punk band. The band has adopted four major genres of music; hardcore punk, melodic hardcore, punk rock, and skate punk. These genres of music are characterized by aggressive and hard-edged singing styles, screaming vocals, fast melodic rhythms, stripped-down instrumentation, and melodic and sometimes distorted guitar riffs.
Most of their songs are based on theology, naturalism, and philosophy and they have themes like; false beliefs, religion, deceit, racial injustice, science, politics and leadership, and societal ills. The band makes use of its catchy lyrics to address different social issues, real-life experiences, and the philosophy of human existence. Their aggressive and melodic songs are inspiring and they appeal to diverse audiences seeking answers on different aspects of human life.
The band has existed for over 40 years and currently owns 17 studio albums, 3 EPs, and several singles each tackling issues that pertain to man’s personal and social life.
Is Bad Religion a Christian Band?
A Christian band is one whose songs focus on matters related to the Christian faith. Their songs are usually centered on the teachings, pillars, and principles of Christianity. Songs from a Christian band must contain biblical references, themes, and messages that relate to Christianity.
It is not enough to have Christian members to be called a Christian band. Some bands might be filled with members who are devout Christians but they are not Christian bands because their songs and lifestyles do not reflect the teachings of Christianity and they have not publicly identified as Christian bands.
For the Bad Religion band, religion is not their thing. Members of the band have outrightly stated that they do not believe in any form of religion or spirituality and are atheists. In several interviews, different members of the band have answered questions relating to their religious status and their answers remain the same, “We are not a religious band, I don’t believe in any organized religion”.
The logo of the band also says a lot about the religious status of the band. Their logo is described as a cross buster, which is represented by a Christian cross and a red slash on it. Below is an image of the logo-
What this logo means according to the band is that “you won’t find Christianity here”. Even though the logo seems offensive to a lot of people, the band is still solid on their stand as “atheists”. According to them, their songs will have a philosophical edge rather than a religious one.
Bad Religion Christian Songs
As a band that does not believe in religion, they have no Christian songs. Even though some of their songs contain some biblical terms and references to Christianity, a close look at those songs reveals that they are criticisms of the religion.
Graffin and Gurewitz in an interview revealed that they draw inspiration from biblical stories and Christian teachings to write their songs but they do not subscribe to Christianity. They try to see things from a philosophical view. The artists revealed that they are somehow interested in theology but not to the extent of going to churches and other religious gatherings. They just use their knowledge of theology to address different life issues.
Looking at the lines below from “God Song” by Bad Religion, one will see a pure criticism of God and gods.
“And did those feet in ancient times
Trod on America’s pastures of green?
And did that anthropocentric god
Wane with their thoughts and beliefs all unseen?
I don’t think so, he’s up there with the others laying low
Vying with those, who you’ve traded your life to bless your soul
Have they told you how to think
Cleansed your mind of sepsis and autonomy?”
From the analysis above, we’ve concluded that Bad Religion has no Christian songs.
Is Bad Religion a Satanic Band?
As already stated, Bad Religion is very expressive of its religious views and beliefs. They have mentioned that they are not part of any organized religion.
Satanic religion is one in which members believe in Satan, also called Lucifer or Demon who is believed to be the central figure of satanism. One will identify a Satanic band from its songs, music style, beliefs, and practices. Their songs glorify the devil and promote demon worship.
To be labeled a satanic band, such a band must possess the features listed above. On this note, we opine that Bad Religion is not a Satanic band as the band has disassociated itself from any form of organized religion.
Final Thoughts
From our analysis, Bad Religion is neither a Christian nor a satanic band. Religion is a crime to them and the band has utterly condemned any form of religion. Even so, the band still has lots of fans globally as their songs address different issues and experiences that are relatable to humans.
Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!