Not believing in god and the 'divine fairytale' doesn't mean you can't appreciate great things done in his mythical name.

Incredible cathedrals don't miraculously stop being extraordinary works of architecture, just because they were built to glorify the giant sky-fairy; awe-inspiring works of art don't suddenly become child-like drawings, barely fit to attach to the fridge with a magnet; and wonderful music doesn't stop being heart-stoppingly wonderful.

For all my atheism, I still can't listen to the 'Dies Irae' from Verdi's Requiem without a tingle running up my spine.

Jesus Is My Friend by Sonseed

No, I'm kidding. But I do have a few. One is George Harrison's My Sweet Lord

AC/DC “Highway To Hell”.

The entire score of Black Sabbath's Masters of Reality shows what kind of Satanists they were. (hint: they're not)

Not pop but Tool has a few Xtian religious songs. One in particular is pure genius in lyrics from the perspective of a believer of course. And the composition is an incredible example of just how powerfully musical metal can be. The tune is called “ right in two”. Check the lyrics if your into such things. Listen if you want one of the shining examples of how powerful metal can be when it’s done with talent.

'Moonshiner' by Uncle Tupelo. A cover of a disputed origin song from the thirties is the version I love. I first heard it by the Clancy Brothers (always worth a listen, imo). Bob Dylan covered it as well.

"God bless them pretty women
I wish they was mine
With breath as sweet as
The dew on the vine"

"Let me eat when I'm hungry
Let me drink when I'm dry
Two dollars when I'm hard up
Religion when I die"

Also, 'No Depression' by same band. Cover of a Carter Family gospel effort. The content is cringy, but it's a kick ass tune.

'Man in Black' Johnny Cash

More the hardcore Atheist, I suspect. Once chucked a new Beachboys CD ..due to their ‘god only knows’ song. I’d forgot about that one.. Such stuff gags me.

Bought some serious Blue Grass CD’s recently ..cuz I finally met a guy who understood and respected my dislike and desire not to have any ‘gospel ballads’ on them. He was relatively young and cool, so I’ve some kick-ass pickin & grinnin

John Lennon's Imagine is my favorite song of all time, but a also love A Perfect Circle's cover of Imagine. It's a totally different song- they created a very dark version, and made a similarly dark video to go with it.

Albert Brumley’s “Turn Your Radio On” sung by John Hartford, Ray Stevens, The Statler Brothers, and others.

This one from back in the day...

My favorite is The Last Resort by The Eagles.

"What If God Was One of Us"; Jeff Buckley's cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"; "One" by U2; "From a Distance" by Bette Midler; almost every song in "Jesus Christ Superstar"; and these two versions of "God Bless the Child":

I do love love love "Oh Happy Days" with Edwin Hawkins and Northern California State Youth Choir... "What if God was one of us"... "He's Got the whole World in his hands", with Laurie London ... had 3 others that I liked very much...can't think of them now.... ... Thank you my Darling friend, GarytheGondolier...for the opportunity to write names of songs that I still love although not in the same way I use to... lol.... Before I sang those songs with a so called god in mind.....now...I. Enjoy the songs more, actually !! Let's have a Fabulous Week ..... Peace & Love always. !!

Read the lyrics of Bob Dylan's "With God on our side"

Love your choices Gary. My Sweet Lord is another good one. Turn Turn,Turn also.

Not ordinarily into religious songs but occasionally I run across one that I just like the song.

Although there's no accounting for taste, John Lennon as an artist, composer, musician and performer is miles above any of the ones you mention, with perhaps a couple of exceptions like Neil Diamond and Cat Stevens, both certainly not miles below, but definitely yards below. The other artists are hardly at the level of Diamond or Stevens, and way under Lennon. Their songs will remain as one hit wonders only to be remembered as such or close to that. Imagine is a gem of a song that is as relevant today as it was in the 70s, composed and played brilliantly by a musical genius.

Brother Love is one of my favorites. Any song that gets your blood moving and jazzes your energy is ok with me. That's the messenger not the message giving the energy.