For those of my readers interested in delving into the minds of Ben and Chad of Breaking Benjamin a bit more, there’s a good interview to listen to. It is broken down into parts, so you can pick and choose topics if you don’t want to listen to the whole thing. They both talk about spiritual stuff, Chad more than Ben, no surprise as Chad is really open about his beliefs. Click here for the link.
Interesting bits; Chad backs up the fact that he’s a Christian, and his feelings about following God…also his feelings about how abused drummers are (lol). He also makes an interesting comment about not really knowing Ben’s faith either, because it is a private thing. For Ben’s part, the interview focuses on his fight with alcoholism, but he talks (briefly) in general about God, and won’t come out and talk about songs like “Without You,” again, perhaps he feels it is a private thing, as well as his rule about not telling what a song is about so that fans can read into it what they like.
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I’m 15 years old, and I’ve been exposed to BB since I was ten. Now, as a teenager, I’m a HUGE fan of them. I am a Christian, though not quite as close to God as I should be, and I’ve grown up in a Christian home. Neither of my parents (mainly my dad) completely agree with, so called, “Christian rock.” They don’t want me listening to ANYTHING secular, but I have almost all of BB’s songs (except for those off new album, which I’m absolutely dying to get) on my iPod. Recently, I was told that the band “turned Christian”. I don’t know how true that is, but I’ve had a little bit of time to look up the songs of “Dear Agony”. I can see alot more relation to Christianity in this album than any other, but that might just be my mind playing tricks on me. I haven’t heard any swearing in the songs, though I haven’t listened to all of them yet.
I really want to know your perspective of this album, and, do you think that maybe they’ve changed their genre to “Christian”??
They haven’t switched genres, as far as I’m aware, and I wouldn’t really ever expect them to. I do believe their latest album has more of a spiritual type component, and theme, but it definitely isn’t specifically “Christian.” I really like Dear Agony and you can definitely tell a difference now that Ben has sobered up, and is writing clean, and the theme of struggling is really evident. As for the swearing part, there’s one or two in the songs, but not many…however I did see them live this year and Ben can still fit the f-bomb between every other word if in the mood…even if it’s a good mood. lol Some of the rumors you’ve heard probably stem from Ben’s collaborating with Jasen of Red.
All I can tell you is always follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your life in all areas, including what kind of music you listen to. I believe in a personal walk with the Lord in areas that the Bible doesn’t really touch upon, and that’s all about faith. Always keep in mind too that your parents are probably just concerned for your well being while you are under their roof and, I know it sometimes doesn’t feel like it, I remember what it’s like, but people who have parents who actually care are blessed. Obviously I pull a lot of spiritual themes and issues from BB’s songs and do love the band; pray about it, keep reading your scripture, and see what God would have you do if ever in doubt.
To me, the style of music should have no bearing on your faith. What is truly important is the message. For example, my roommate and I are devout Christians (he, moreso than I, sadly). Yet both of us are death metal musicians. To us, it’s all a matter of taste. I feel more comfortable in music that glorifies God with a power found no where else but metal. Search the bands In the Midst of Chaos or Impending Doom for Christian Death Metal. (BTW, Death metal is named after the band Death which popularized the genre. It doesn’t actually promote death or violence in its name. That’s for the artist and their message to decide.)
They havent changed to christian but the Dear agony album does have a more christian message to the songs. there are no cuss words and Ben said this album kinda came from his struggle with drinking and overcoming it.
I know this is probably late but i just found this while searching random Breaking Benjamin stuff. I doubt that the band turned christian or that they will ever turn christian. You don’t really have to be a christian to believe in God. As for your parents just as Kliska said, it is good to have someone to care about you, but sometimes you may want to do something you feel like doing even if the others disagree. As for the censorship in their songs…let’s be honest, unless you live in a plastic bag at your age you hear that word a lot even if you don’t like it or don’t want to hear it. Just my 2 cents though.
Also if you are into christian music another cool band is Skillet. They have some nice songs, i personally like Rebirthing a lot as it gives the allure of philosophy same as most Breaking Benjamin.
And one last thing, I do sincerely hope that this band won’t ever turn to christian rock. Art has a real value when everyone finds something different in it. Knowing the purpose of an art work greatly diminishes it’s value.
Sorry for my poor grammar =D
I’m a Christian praise band bassist and a guitarist, and Breaking Benjamin is my #1 musical inspiration and favorite band. But, as of late, sometimes I wonder about Burnley’s faith. Do I believe that he know’s there’s something bigger than him? Yes. But that does not necessarily mean anything. There are many non-Christians that believe in something, just not God. While Ben does mention God in his latest album, it’s usually in a darker light, such as the line “God let me go” in the title track Dear Agony. However, I find it hard to believe that a non-Christian would have two outspoken Christians in his band and collaborate with the Christian band Red and help that band write Christian songs. They’ve toured with Chevelle and Flyleaf which have all Christian members but usually do not refer to themselves as Christian bands. Red has even helped Breaking Ben write songs for Dear Agony. If Ben is not a Christian now, then at some point I believe he will be. The Holy Spirit will convict him, which i think is the reason for the sudden shange of the bands songs. One thing is for sure: Ben may not believe, but he certainly NEVER condemns Christianity, which some flawed views of the song Evil Angel claim him to be doing.
Excellent points and glad to hear about chevelle, I like them a lot. Lol. I tend to listen to proclaimed “Christian music” most of the time but enjoy listening to creed, three doors down, and other “post-grunge bands” as well sometimes. I don’t necessarily consider them singing of the darkside of Christianity, but rather their dark life without God, or before Christianity, and often display the hope an peace they found after searching for so long. I think they are beautiful, as they remind us of where a lot of lost souls are at, and how close we can be to going back to that dark place. I think a reason for the genre they choose may be not to turn people away at the sight of the genre, because sadly too many run from the truth. I say this because I really don’t see them being too vague in their messages while still not calling theirselves “Christian music”.
yeah, this is really late, but I am a Christian, and got baptized about a month ago. I have loved Breaking Benjamin since I was 11 (im 13, now ), and Christian or not most of their songs give my insperation in life. Even “Dear Agony” gave me a sense of belonging. I had been in a bad place before I was baptized, weighted down by sin, when I heard “Dear Agony” and thought, “Yeah, God did let me go, but it was my fault, I drove him away”. BB will always be my favorite band.
i love BB,even though i just heard about them like 2 days ago. My favorite song is Dance with the Devil,mainly because i haven’t listened to any other song.I’m a christian,and i’m trying to read through the whole bible (i’ve been putting it off recently),and im 12. I really like this band,and i’m glad that it has some believers in it so they can influence the other band members.
Christianity is a beautiful, powerful, meaningful life. We need Christian bands, one thing I like about “post-grunge” is that often its hard to hear any other message than that of Christianity. I feel like they almost are a source of “infiltration” lol. Idk if my message is coming across the right way. I mean no judgement or harm, but IMO I believe Christianity is not capable of being kept private, in it’s authenticity.
Samantha, I feel the need to express my personal realizations on this matter. I believe that judgementalism is the biggest deterrent of the Christian faith, as well as legalism. If you take the legalistic mindset, for instance on music, you can shut down many oppurtunities to share the word with others. Having a sin ridden past, filled with addiction, crime, immorality, as well as a very knowledgeable Christian background, my steps to walk with God are far from orthodox. I grow stronger everyday and ask that only the holy spirit be my compass, I listen to him in all and everything, because listening to too many people (specifically judgmental legalistic Christians, who happen to be the most contradictory of the message of Jesus Christ) can take you down a very dark and confusing path. Never underestimate the devil, never give him a foothold, let go of everything the Lord tells you, and seek only Him. I’m not trying to say that your parents are either judgmental or legalistic, I can see their concern, but God must be the ultimate judge. I have an amazon pastor, who has a love for the sounds of screaming guitars and deep bass, even some screaming(metal) and he has stressed that nowhere does it say that any of those things are wrong.
Amazing pastor **lol. Also, what the devil may use for bad, GOD can use for good.
I personally believe this could be a Christian themed band. If you pay attention in their song “Give Me a Sign” it’s referenced to salvation in Christ. Besides, I love the band! They are epic!