Every Atheist Needs: American Jesus

If you’re not a fan of the greatness that is Bad Religion, you’re probably cocking your head right now, going, “dafuq, Mom? Why do we need Jesus?”. You can relax, because you don’t. What you need is American Jesus. American Jesus is a brilliant song by the punk band Bad Religion.

The band is fronted by Dr. Greg Graffin, who’s Ph.D. dissertation was titled, “Evolution, Monism, Atheism, and the Naturalist World-View: Perspectives from Evolutionary Biology”. He is a brilliant man, a graduate of Cornell, a professor, an author, a scientist and a bad ass punk rock vocalist.

The band has always been an iconic one amongst atheists, skeptics and realists, and they even headlined the Reason Rally in 2012. Founded in the 70s, Bad Religion has a long discography and a ton of incredibly smart, catchy songs that will make you think. I have a lot of favourites, but the most powerful of these is definitely American Jesus:

With lyrics like,

He’s the farmer’s barren fields (In God) The force the army wields (We trust) The expression on the faces of the starving millions (Because he’s one of us)

The power of the man (Breakdown) He’s the fuel that drives the Klan (Cave in) He’s the motive and conscience of the murderer (He can redeem your sin)

Bad Religion – Recipe For Hate

this song was the absolute highlight of seeing them live, which Godless Mom did back when she was a punk rock obsessed teen. The writhing mosh pit at the Plaza of Nations in Vancouver, dotted with mohawks, glistening studs and clanging chains seething with political discontent and contempt for God and Jesus and the Bible. Eyes were on fire, adrenaline was on overdrive and the crowd yelled in unison, “We’ve got the American Jesus!”. It was and will remain one of the highlights of my entire life.

If you’ve not explored this band’s discography, you just have no idea what you’re missing. Check ’em out: Bad Religion

What’s your favourite Bad Religion song?

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