Not liking certain songs because they question God.

As an atheist I like lyrical content that questions God or the existence of one.

If someone is scared to listen to a song because it questions their beliefs, then their beliefs mustn't be very strong.

Being non-religious, I don't care what deities are written about - Jesus, Buddha, Allah (or "Joe"). Generally, when a song names one, it is using them to tell a story and isn't really about religion anyway.

The ignorance and narrow mindedness which at times tend to have their roots in people's religious beliefs have often amazed me. In fact they are the reason for a way to high number of conflicts and wars. Not liking a song because it questions the existence of any god or his/her doings and intentions (which no Bon Jovi song ever has done) is a striking example.

I totally agree with Seb's post. At the same time, as has been mentioned before, the ignorance of a large portion of Bon Jovi's audience has led to the fact that Jon and Richie (and whoever else was involved in the lyrics conception of all albums since TD) have begun to keep their lyrics as vague as possible with no concrete statements and total ambiguity. While I do think they still have their strong opinions on certain issues, they have simply chosen to disguise these behind blunt statements such as "Have a nice Day" in order not to threaten the potential commercial success of such songs. This is their way of trying to maintain a certain level of artistic integrity and self-esteem while still catering to the masses.

In terms of religious content: I still admire Living in Sin, despite it not being my favorite song, for its critical content. This is not related to any actual criticism of god, but rather to the fact that the lyrics challenge people's pretentious way of living.

"Is it right for both our parents
Who fight it out most nights
Then pray for God's forgivness
When they both turn out the lights?"

Threads like this one are the reason for why I keep coming to this board btw.

Yeah, any idiot should be able to tell Living In Sin is about marriage, not god.

Which is funny really because people generally assume Bon Jovi write songs without a lot of substance but this thread has already listed a lot where Jon/Richie, especially in the 90's, but even as early as on New Jersey (Living In Sin), and as late as on The Circle (Learn To Love), ask a lot of questions.

However I almost never refer these to god or established religion. It's more about a deep personal belief. Even Dry County despite some of the more religious lyrics is a song about someone struggling with his own life and identity and belief in himself.

I would like to add some of my thoughts about ‘Hey God’ and ‘Something To Believe In’. I posted my ranking on TD thread, and those 2 songs are at the top of my list, only behind the title track. And just to make it clear, I am Christian and I completely believe in God.
For me, as a faithful person, the lyrics of those songs are as important as unbelievably amazing music. I think I will even shock some of you, but for me those songs are actually a kind of prayer. Lyrics of those songs, especially ‘Hey God’, remind me a conversation between an angry but deep inside a fragile person and the Lord. Asking questions is not a bad thing at all. And that’s totally natural. We are built like that, we have our moments of doubts, we have moments when we question our faith, we will make mistakes, we will fall down, we will suffer, we will die etc. – but…we shouldn’t blame God for this. “She did her best to raise him, but the world got in the way” The WORLD is US. If you look around you, all the evil there is in the world is done by other humans. Not some mighty God, not the bearded guy with a heavy stick punching us for everything we do. We’re to blame. And this song for me in nothing else but a scream, a shout for a change, for hope, for love, for kindness, for safety. A kind of prayer. And actually a really passionate one, very emotional, that’s why it is so strong and music and heavy guitar express it perfectly.
Therefore I don’t think Jon is bashing or questioning God’s existence in this song (even if that was his intention, I read it differently), it’s exactly opposite. It’s more like a “Hey God, please let this nightmare end. Help me! I can’t do it on my own.” – kind of desperation scream of a helpless person. And same goes for STBI. But everyone can interpret them as they feel it.
I am not saying those are definite religious songs. For me they are in some way, for others they can have a totally different meaning. But it’s really interesting to read what other believers think. If those are offensive for some of you, I respect that. Everyone has its own thin red line and if Jon has crossed it for some with the lyrics of those 2 songs, than they have the full right to express it too and ignore them.
And by the way, I think that Jon still believes and sometimes mentions God in the songs on purpose and really means it. And I would say that Richie’s faith is even stronger. Still it doesn’t make their music religious even though they are not afraid to show their beliefs in the lyrics from time to time.
I would recommend to other Christians for example music of the Casting Crowns or Jeremy Camp though. Brilliant piece of art.

I am a Christian and I have no problem with Something to Believe In. There are key people in the bible that temporarily lost faith or questioned God. I don't think you can understand what you believe in if you don't question it. I don't know anyone with a strong faith that doesn't, at times, struggle with it. I don't think God would appreciate your love if the only reason you do love Him is because that is the way you were raised... and you never stopped to really ask tough questions.

Hey God is a bit different than STBI. Again, whoever's eyes Jon is writing through at that time is losing faith. Not only losing faith, but directing anger at God. Again, this is something I have no problem with. My God is a tough God that can handle much more than a little bit of anger over a kid who died too young. But here, using profanity, Jon gets a little closer to crossing a line. Granted, the older I get the more I come to believe profanity is not a sin against God, but rather polite society. So I don't really know how I feel about it, honestly.

Both of these songs are 2 of Bon Jovi's best musically and lyrically. And they get you to think about important things rather than who really has said you can't go home?

many years ago jesus died on some wood.
2012 years later book sales are still good.


I hate song about religon as its something that should be kept private.
I dont consider Hey God or Something to beleive in to be god worshipping songs. They just question a gods motives and someones beliefs .

Twilight and 50 Shades of Gray are selling pretty well too - doesn't mean they're any good.

How about other topics then? Sex, for instance - should we stop writing songs about sex? If you avoid writing songs about every subject which might offend someone, you will end up with nothing.

Everyone has the right to believe whatever they want, so if you don't want to listen to certain songs then it's your perogative - but you don't have the right to stop those songs being written, because a lot of other people will enjoy them.

Sex? bring it on.
Religon is personal.

And sex isn't? Come on, man.