Musically it all depends on how talented the artists are.

Lyrically it depends how religious based the words are. If the majority of your songs are related to scripture, than I think your limiting your experience to true believers, or people who enjoy the fantasy aspect of religion.

As per example, satanic metal is really a reaction to Christianity, but despite enjoying the music produced by a bands like Slayer, as a secular person, I 've always found their lyrics to be really boring as religious based themes do nothing for me, nor does fantasy appeal of dressing up like a black wizard and practicing black magic. Probably why I ended up getting into hardcore for my teenage choice of rebellion, but then again, extremely political punk bands are just like religious based bands, if all they sing about is politics then it gets really boring especially if you don't prescribe to their radical ideology.

So any music that is driven by faith based religious beliefs or political ideology is generally pretty limiting.

As an atheist, I know I tend to avoid listening to Christian music because I usually find the message too simplistic, trite, and out-of-sync with my perception of reality...

...but a couple weeks ago, I stumbled upon an album I like by a Christian worship band, The Ember Days. I was surprised to find how much I like their music, which I enjoy because it does sound so peaceful and powerful to me.

I can imagine that a Christian person would be especially moved by this music, given that she'd probably be moved not just by the sound, like I am, but also by the meaning of the lyrics.

I tend to ignore their lyrics while listening, since many of them seem to be Christian clichés about being saved, praising God, being found, etc., but there are some lovely splashes of lyrical originality, and I like the overall mood of hopefulness that the words convey.

The Ember Days - More Than You Think (Album)
Some of the most relaxing music I've heard in a while, and I especially like the cello

http://apenasmusica.net/wp-content/u...Ember-Days.jpg

Only if it's by Steve Albini.

Christian music on the mainstream level is too redundant with its lyricism/style for me to really enjoy. Stripped down folky Christian music can be fun. Also, I love it when several people sing together, and the fact that it's common in Christian music is a plus. If a song is just PRAISE JESUS said in 10 different ways then I'm not going to enjoy it.

The term "christian music" says nothing whatsoever about the music itself, which makes it somewhat unnecessary.

I hate Christian music. It's all just the same crap.

I know, right?

X2.

I don't understand the lack of creativity when it comes to non secular music. It always strikes me as a slap in the face to God. Supreme being, mediocre praise though song, the math there adds up wrong. One would think they'd put a bit more effort or muse into music made as an act of worship.

I don't know. I've been listening to a lot of Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story lately, which is this great compilation collecting stuff released on Cooke's label. A lot of the material is religious and really good. But yeah, the modern "Christian rock" brand is sort of tainted because when people hear the phrase they think Switchfoot or whatever. If these bands weren't so musically boring the message would be much easier to stomach. Not to mention the fact that the industry tends to be pretty controlling and the audience for artists who call themselves "Christian rock" pretty limited, in a way that makes artists who make music with strong religious themes (Sufjan Stevens, Belle & Sebastian, I guess the Hold Steady) not want to associate themselves with music that's defined by religion.

Come to think of it, this is probably my favourite Christian music with vocals (there's a lot of instrumental stuff that relies on theme of religion).