[online music]
[packaged music]
[cs thoughts]

[media respect]
[christian band?]

“Collective Soul is a Christian band, isn’t it?”

February 9, 2001

No, it is not.

That's the short answer. As for the long answer, well, here goes: To me, the distinction between "Christian" and "Secular" music means something different than simply what is discussed in the lyrics. Perhaps as a non-Christian I'm more sensitive to this, but it should come as no surprise that there are people out there who are constantly trying to convince others to change their views. Christianity certainly isn't the only religion to do so, but in North America, it's the main one:

If you've ever turned Jehovah's Witnesses away from your door, you'll know what I mean. Some people, whether they call themselves missionaries, born-agains, or simply good people, seem to think that their religious views are correct and therefore everyone else's are not. Furthermore, they think that by trying to "save" others, they're doing a good and positive thing.

These people use many means to preach their message. Centuries ago there was the Crusades and the Inquisition - holy wars with much bloodshed and infamy. More recently, September 11th comes to mind as a shocking example.  Thankfully, most religious people nowadays - the sane ones, anyway - have adopted more genteel methods such as selling bibles, preaching, and writing literature, poetry, and music.

Yes, music. The definition of a "Christian Band" to me is a band who uses music to try and spread their religious views and convince others to adopt them as their own. By this definition, Collective Soul is certainly and unequivocally NOT a Christian band. Yes, they may have a Christian background. Some of their lyrics may use religious symbolism. But they have never, ever, EVER tried to force their views on others and they have always had the utmost respect for other faiths and beliefs.

It's not the religion of the people in the band that determine whether the music is "religious" or "secular", nor is it the lyrical content of the songs. When Sixpence None The Richer sings "Kiss Me", there's nothing at all religious about those lyrics, but by defining themselves as a Christian band they are making a statement about what they represent and stand for. Conversely, all the religious symbolism in the world will never turn an open-minded band intolerant.

The tension between so-called religious and secular music is very old. It can be traced back to the classical music periods of past centuries but it is very evident in the early twentieth century with early downhome blues. At the time, gospel music was considered the "religious" music, or the music that served the higher cause. The blues, in contrast , was known as "the Devil's music", and those who sang it were not welcome in gospel music circuits. Artists such as Robert Johnson perpetuated the myth that they had "sold their souls to the devil". This had an impact on all kinds of future music - everything from Black Sabbath to Marilyn Manson, where the dark side is examined with a kind of fascination. Some people rejected this and said that music should only serve God, and refused to sing anything but gospel tunes. Today, some fundamentalists argue that even so-called "Christian" rock music is from the devil and not to be listened to. These people are obviously extreme, but their very existence is proof that this tension will not go away so soon. By common definitions, though, bands like Jars of Clay are considered Christian music, not because of the faith of the band members, but because of the band's stated purpose or mission.

Collective Soul has always said that they're a "rock and roll band, no more, no less", to quote Ed. They've never tried to attribute their music to any kind of religion or faith, and they've certainly never tried to convince anyone else to adopt their religious views, whatever they may be. Labelling them a "Christian Band" is therefore false and undermines everything they represent.

Here are some quotes directly from Ed Roland on the subject, taken from various interviews and magazine articles:

"We're not preaching anything. It's just very important in my life 'cause I write the lyrics. Spirituality, universal love and harmony--you know, it sounds hippieish and crap like that, but it really is true to me. I believe in that. But, religion? I don't believe in religion. I think each person finds it in their own different sections of life. I tend to get it from a lot of different sources. So we're definitely not a religious band."

 --from Kamikaze Magazine, article by Stephen Knight

"From age zero to when I went off to Berklee, I sang in every choir and attended every service. Some images don't ever leave you. Sometimes it's easier to express myself in Biblical terms. Once that stuff is in you, it's there forever. But we do not preach religion, we do not do it. We leave it alone."

"I got into an argument with a reporter. He kept asking, 'Are you a Christian Band?' and I said no. What amazes me is that if you use the word heaven in a song, then people assume you're a Christian band. That was this reporter's reasoning. So I said when Led Zeppelin released 'Stairway to Heaven,' nobody accused them of being Christian."

--from Musician Magazine, article by Charles M. Young