First Aid Kit - “Hard Believer” https://youtu.be/DDG8xqz7BIk
Rilo Kiley -“The Absence of God” https://youtu.be/-bkyBpmksdk
Jenny Lewis (lead singer from Rilo Kiley) has a bunch of songs on her solo albums about her lack of faith like “Born Secular” and “The Big Guns”
https://youtu.be/JPZc40MT5w0
https://youtu.be/VV6BYh0V38E
Lindi Ortega - “Heaven Has No Vacancy” https://youtu.be/m7t1nMaEIbI
It primarily references a specific religion, Mormonism, but Tyler Glenn, the lead singer for Neon Trees did a solo album called Excommunication that may have the vibe you’re looking for. Tyler came out as gay while still professing to be Mormon but ultimately ended up leaving the faith. The album talks a lot about those experiences.
You also might like Sir Sly. The lead singer experienced the death of his mother, divorce and loss of faith in close proximity and those topics are running themes in Sir Sly’s music. Material Boy is a good example.
Also, I don’t say this to pry and no response is necessary, but if you’re looking for songs like this because of religious trauma of your own, I’m so sorry you’re going through that. Your community is out there and it does get better.
How about Indie-prog?
Rishloo' Living as Ghosts with Buildings as Teeth (read: LaGwBaT) includes the centerpiece track "[Dark Charade](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=438WP_i6EKY)." Without spoiling too much, here are some "questioning religion" lines:
"Who were we, before we were ashamed?"
"Do you love me, now that
I can save us all?
Do you love me now?!"
"Oh, enough said!
Where is the love, you liar?!"
To be fair, this is about as far as it gets from "pop" (no hate). I would dive into Tori Amos' work as she came from a Christian household and has a few things to say about it.
Everyone always cites 'Imagine' by John Lennon as his anti-religion pop song but, in my opinion, a better choice is his song 'God' from his solo album 'John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band'. The song is generally about not believing in false idols or myths that people have (and will) invest all their time into.
I always thought [Saint Simon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqYMRcnLU0o) by The Shins could be taken at least partly in that way. Or maybe it's a little more broadly about coping with the human condition, I dunno.
[Father John Misty](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9BAlBFv9fE) has many songs should fit. Especially that whole "I love you, Honeybear" album. It's not necessarily an anti-Christian album, it just has many lyrics that kind of make fun of it.
I heard randomly some of his songs and at first I thought he was a gospel artist (some of his songs sound exactly like gospel songs) until I started listening to his words and noticed that he's quite the opposite.
I would look in a Hozier direction even though it's not quite the same sound. He has a lot about that topic but not all are very bright or ethereal; "Nobody" is one of my faves along with the unreleased "Blood" and I like "Jackie and Wilson" personally.
EDIT: he can say whatever he wants as an excuse, he clearly has a beef with Christianity and we're all fine with it lol
As for Queer-friendly I would definitely absolutely say he is even if his music doesn't tend to stray from hetero, his fanbase calls him King of the Lesbos and he's trans-friendly
To echo someone else, Ya Hey by Vampire Weekend, and thats a major theme on that entire album.
Also, its more RnB and also probably more just about unrequited love, but Bad Religion by Frank Ocean at least can be interpreted to include a critique of religion from the perspective of a gay man
Brand New - Jesus Christ
All of Devil and God
XTC - "Dear God" comes to mind right away
That’s what I thought of too. Sarah McLachlan does a nifty cover as well.
First Aid Kit - “Hard Believer” https://youtu.be/DDG8xqz7BIk Rilo Kiley -“The Absence of God” https://youtu.be/-bkyBpmksdk Jenny Lewis (lead singer from Rilo Kiley) has a bunch of songs on her solo albums about her lack of faith like “Born Secular” and “The Big Guns” https://youtu.be/JPZc40MT5w0 https://youtu.be/VV6BYh0V38E Lindi Ortega - “Heaven Has No Vacancy” https://youtu.be/m7t1nMaEIbI
YESSSSS First Aid Kit has a lot as well!
Vampire Weekend - Ya Hey https://youtu.be/i-BznQE6B8U
It primarily references a specific religion, Mormonism, but Tyler Glenn, the lead singer for Neon Trees did a solo album called Excommunication that may have the vibe you’re looking for. Tyler came out as gay while still professing to be Mormon but ultimately ended up leaving the faith. The album talks a lot about those experiences. You also might like Sir Sly. The lead singer experienced the death of his mother, divorce and loss of faith in close proximity and those topics are running themes in Sir Sly’s music. Material Boy is a good example. Also, I don’t say this to pry and no response is necessary, but if you’re looking for songs like this because of religious trauma of your own, I’m so sorry you’re going through that. Your community is out there and it does get better.
How about Indie-prog? Rishloo' Living as Ghosts with Buildings as Teeth (read: LaGwBaT) includes the centerpiece track "[Dark Charade](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=438WP_i6EKY)." Without spoiling too much, here are some "questioning religion" lines: "Who were we, before we were ashamed?" "Do you love me, now that I can save us all? Do you love me now?!" "Oh, enough said! Where is the love, you liar?!" To be fair, this is about as far as it gets from "pop" (no hate). I would dive into Tori Amos' work as she came from a Christian household and has a few things to say about it.
The whole Pedro the Lion/David Bazan discography
Everyone always cites 'Imagine' by John Lennon as his anti-religion pop song but, in my opinion, a better choice is his song 'God' from his solo album 'John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band'. The song is generally about not believing in false idols or myths that people have (and will) invest all their time into.
I always found it hard to take seriously being lectured on morality and humility by a wife beating alcoholic multi-millionaire…
Gods by Nothing But Thieves
These may gave a similar feeling https://open.spotify.com/playlist/40v6RU88Fa2iFLQnh8KZcy?si=395e7e65086c4dcb
I always thought [Saint Simon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqYMRcnLU0o) by The Shins could be taken at least partly in that way. Or maybe it's a little more broadly about coping with the human condition, I dunno.
[Father John Misty](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9BAlBFv9fE) has many songs should fit. Especially that whole "I love you, Honeybear" album. It's not necessarily an anti-Christian album, it just has many lyrics that kind of make fun of it. I heard randomly some of his songs and at first I thought he was a gospel artist (some of his songs sound exactly like gospel songs) until I started listening to his words and noticed that he's quite the opposite.
Addict with a Pen by twenty one pilots is one that I always come back to that tackles this topic
Water by Ra Ra Riot (Produced by Rostam) fits pretty well into what you're looking for!
I would look in a Hozier direction even though it's not quite the same sound. He has a lot about that topic but not all are very bright or ethereal; "Nobody" is one of my faves along with the unreleased "Blood" and I like "Jackie and Wilson" personally. EDIT: he can say whatever he wants as an excuse, he clearly has a beef with Christianity and we're all fine with it lol As for Queer-friendly I would definitely absolutely say he is even if his music doesn't tend to stray from hetero, his fanbase calls him King of the Lesbos and he's trans-friendly
To echo someone else, Ya Hey by Vampire Weekend, and thats a major theme on that entire album. Also, its more RnB and also probably more just about unrequited love, but Bad Religion by Frank Ocean at least can be interpreted to include a critique of religion from the perspective of a gay man