As a huge miw fan, I interpreted this song as calling out people who abuse their status as a religious 'leader' to benefit themselves without doing anything to help others, or even to actively hurt others.

As a Christian who grew up in the South, I always felt like “thoughts and prayers” was the churchy way of saying “I’m too busy to care about your problems, but too nice to say that” and I feel like that’s what this song is calling out is that attitude that a lot of Christians have when they tell someone they’re praying for them, then don’t give them a second thought. If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ve all been guilty of it at one point.

Chris, the lead singer, has said in an interview that the song is "his commentary on the evil ways that religion is used" and the song isn't an attack on religion itself. To me the song came off as them mainly taking aim at those, for example, who use religion for personal gain, like the Prosperity Gospel movement, and those who use "Thoughts and Prayers" as a hollow sentiment after tragedies after which those people follow up with complete inaction towards trying to prevent the next tragedy, thereby contributing to a seemingly unending cycle of tragedies.

If you’re reacting to this band now, you HAVE to listen to “immaculate misconception” by them! I mean, the title alone warrants a reaction from you guys haha

I really like Pastor Rob. I’m not religious, but I enjoy hearing his perspective on what I would consider secular music, and seeing how even if he doesn’t agree with the overall message of the songs, he’s still able to get something out of it, and I think that’s one of the things that makes music so powerful.

MIW hits the nail on the head when it comes to religion. As someone who was born and raised in a very religious Christian family, went to church twice a week, every Sunday, summer Bible camp, confirmation classes, as well as a list of other events, as I’ve gotten older I’ve watched my family and members of the church become the biggest hypocrites I’ve ever seen in my life. I’ve found atheists to be nicer and more grounded people than Christian’s anymore. Several teachings seem to be do as I say not as I do anymore. Then when they attached religion to politics and got even worse. You can be some of the shittiest people, hypocrites, and still expect people to listen to you and follow you. You want to change people and lead them to god? More Christian’s are doing the opposite of that and continue to do worse.

For future MIW songs, I think you guys should look up the meaning of the songs first. A lot of their songs that sound like they’re attacking religion, are based on people who weaponize religion and faith, “pointing fingers” type individuals to support their agendas. As someone who left a church full of people like that, I tend to gravitate towards songs like these, knowing I’m not alone. Funny enough, I would listen to “Christian metal bands” back in high school, some parents found out, then went to my parents and told them they were bad Christians and bad parents for allowing me to listen to that type of music (and because I typically wear all black). I’ve had people at that church tell me I “ruined my arms” with my tattoos. People who I haven’t heard from in years will message me, asking me for money for a mission trip. I also volunteered at said church for 9 years, playing drums. When I needed a long break, I got ghosted. I never hear from anyone, never get a message back. Also with their music video, I’m sure a lot of it IS for shock value. But it got you talking, which I assume is the point but that could be my assumption.

Pastor Rob droppin’ some Egyptian mythology knowledge! Brilliant video as always boys! As a Christian who loves heavy music, I appreciate your niche form of apologetics.

I would love to see you guys sit down with Chris Motionless and get his thoughts on this. I think a lot of the idea/motivation behind this got a little lost in translation in your viewing, but it would be really cool to see the discourse between you guys!

To come at this from the other side of the picture on this song: Society hates what is different. Christianity as much at it tries is especially no exception. Those of us who look different. Enjoy heavy music. Think or love differently, are often ostracized by religion specificly. Thus it is easy to become detached or lose faith. I used to be Episcopalian and was once outright told to leave the midnight Christmas service because I didn't think to dress any differently than my day to day all black, band shirts, display my tattoos. The 'we are holier than thou' attitude is also really freaking hard to tolerate. So when Christans come up to me and tell me "I'll pray for you" "repent and God might still accept you" "you'll never get into heaven with those tattoos" "you'll burn in hell for your sins" completely unprovoked without knowing me, yes I get upset. I have plenty of friends who are MIW fans and look like me who are actually various Christian denominations. But these are all real things my friends and I have heard. Anyway. Our anger at religion is not unfounded.

As someone who has witnessed and been subject to religious bigotry it's really nice to see some religious people being kinda open minded. I've been a huge fan of this band for years and the religious take on it is very interesting.

Motionless in white is by far my favorite band Chris has such an insane vocal range and the whole band is amazingly talented

Gauge, I believe it's Drop B, the tuning they're in. That's probably my favorite tuning, haha. Oh, I was a half step off. A#. Love all the tunings from Drop D to A.

Glad to have y'all back doing vids. Blessings!!

Yasss, my boys are back!

Finally!!! I’ve been requesting motionless In White for awhile!! They have so many songs that are awesome musically and vocally !!

Loved the reaction and analysis! Thank you for the great content! Keep up the great work, always enjoy your videos 👌

It's been so long. Thank you for coming back! I saw online y'all have some family issues and have been praying for you! Love this channel.

Check out some Memphis May Fire! Some recommendations are: Unashamed, Blood & Water, or Unconditional. I genuinely think you guys would enjoy some good Christian metalcore!

YESSS. So glad you guys are hearing some motionless in white!!

I find your openness to discussion is interesting, thought provoking and has my attention. Probably played (and replayed) more than half the content on your channel. Hope this channel continues to run and thrive, it's well done. Great job. A tough song to listen to, but quite well done is call Rapture, by Hurt. Would love to get your reaction. This one particularly feels even heavier right now with RvW overturned, and emotions people have on the topic of pro life/choice

Here you go guys some ideas for next videos: Demon Hunter - Freedom is Dead Phinehas - Eternally Apart, Holy Coward, or Dream Thief Emery - Walls, Jesus Wept, Is This The Real Life (or any other song of Emery) I know there's many songs to listen to in this comment but they would be good videos for sure. God bless you and your minister and your family 🔥👍🏻

So glad you're back! I didn't realize how much I'd missed your videos. I'm sure you'll be drowning in requests, but it's worth a shot. I'd love to hear your opinions on the song "Watch the Children pray" by Metal Church.

I’m so glad you’re back!!

Y'all are back?! Praise be to God! It's been eons.

So excited to have you guys back doing reactions!

Guys, when are your grey and navy hats going to be back in stock on your merch site?! I want one of each. Love the reviews :) The Cross Distressed caps

As a Christian this is the kind of pastor that I would love somebody that understands metal music tattoos and doesn't judge I love this so much❤

Pastor Rob I may not watch a ton of your videos but when I do they're always insightful. Loved the song and video. Perfect breakdown to a song that you would have some knowledge of and give a great explanation from your point of view. We need more of this, listening to other people's "thoughts and prayers" LMFAO. Seriously though great work. P.S. Hope your wife is doing well. Also just saw the King Tut exhibit today and when you brought up the heart and feather. Wow

As a metal loving non religious Christian, I really enjoy your takes on all the bands you have reviewed. Its really along the same lines as the way I view most songs as well. I'd really like to listen to a sermon from you as well. God bless y'all ❤️

YES! Thank you!

Been waiting for this one for a long time!!

Chris, the leadsinger, is my cousin. This song is about hypocrisy. He was raised catholic, and grew tired of the hypocrisy that he witnessed growing up. He grew to view the church as the biggest hypocrits of them all. The song also has an underlying message about the church sexual abuse controversy.

In egyptian mythology, when you died, you went to the "Duat" (the Realm of the Dead) as a spirit, where you were to be held a trial in the Hall of Judgement where Anubis (the God of the dead & cementeries) judged you and dictated if you were worthy of going to the afterlife and live eternally yours-okay sorry-and live eternally in egyptian mythology's equivalent to heaven/paradise, called "A'aru" or "The Field of Reeds". The trial where you were judged worthy or unworthy to ascending to A'aru is basically what we're seeing in the video, and it consists in having you heart weighed against the "Feather of Truth". (The Feather of Truth is the symbol of the goddess "Ma'at", goddes of truth and order. It's one of the strongest forces, since it was believed that Ma'at was the one who kept the universe itself in balance.) The more good deeds you did in your lifetime = the less your heart weighs. The more evil deeds you did in you lifetime = the more you heart weighs. In the trial, when your heart was weighted against the Feather of Truth, if the scale stayed balanced or the Feather outweighed your heart. You were found worthy of passing into the afterlife and taken to Osiris (God of the death & the afterlife) and he welcomed you to the Field of Reeds to live eternally. And if you heart outweighed the Feather. You were found unworthy of the afterlife and Ammit the Devourer would eat your heart and your soul would become restless forever. This was called "to die a second time" and was basically eternal nothingness. Anyways, sorry for the huge comment, if you read the whole thing I'm glad you found this intresting, and hopefully it made the video a bit more intresting for you 😂🙌🏼🔥

Welcome back guys, missed your content immensly

I appreciate you’re perspective on this. Just to note, the singer has spoken out on his views about this a bunch of times and is most explicit in his comments on their song “immaculate misconception.” I think a lot of people hearing their music take this as a diss by them on religion or Christianity, but that’s definitely not the case. They respect everyone, including people of faith, and these songs are aimed only at the subset of people who don’t practice what they preach and use religion as a way to criticize and ostracize others (eg the lgbtq community and gay conversion therapy). I think their main gripe is with people who claim to follow the path of Jesus but act towards others in a way that Jesus himself would never condone. It’s against the closed minded subset of people who use religion as a tool to condemn others even though that’s not what the religion really preaches.

You're back ! Missed u boys!

So glad to see y’all back. Can you guys do one for the new Norma Jean track Call For The Blood?

Possibly the best review I’ve ever heard thanks guys

So glad you guys are back! Love to hear you react to Impending Doom - New World Horror.

Great discussion as usual!

Please react to immaculate misconception and the divine infection by Motionless In White!

Love you guys and was thinking about you guys just the other day and missed the new reactions when they came out. Would really like to see you guys do Nothing More "Christ Copyright"!

So thankful to see you guys back, reacting to one of my favourite bands.

You guys should talk with Chris Motionless, he is one of the most coolest and humble dudes from what I've seen 🤘🏼

Listening to you mention being a slave to sin made me think of Fit For A King "Slave to Nothing" . I know y'all would enjoy more music from them and that's a good song.

Would be a good interview. I’m familiar with MIW and wouldn’t be surprised if I ever saw a UKposts interview with Chris and a pastor. However I’d assume there’s not many pastors who would even want to but I could see it happening on this channel. Love the videos I just subscribed. 👌🏻

So many of the points made in this video had me scratching my head.

Pastor Rob may you react you Bad omens: Mercy? It’s another song with lyrics tied to questions about religion and I’d absolutely love to hear your thoughts on it. Here’s a segment from the song, in the second verse: “To a rat in a maze, the end is where the start begins But if we made it out, I know that we would do it all again We live and die in vain like treasure on a sinking ship All in the name of a God, we'd just abandon and forget”

Really loved the reaction as always, glad to see you two back at it I was worried about you both. I would really love to see you two react to Bloody Angel by Avatar.

Welcome back

The album that song is on was a memorial tribute to Chester Bennington

As always thank you for the great reaction Pastor Rob, a biblical perspective is really interesting and valuable to hear on these songs. However I hope you're aware of a few things about the band. 1. This song specifically is targeting the egregious examples of toxic and corrupt religious practices, for example the Westboro Baptist Church and all the drama involving them. It isn't intended as a generalized attack on all religions, just the examples that have proven to be corrupt and fueled by greed. 2. You mentioned that a lot of the lines attribute to specifically Christianity. That's true, but keep in mind that the band members are not religious and would not go out of their way to write in nuances that specifically target one group. Not saying it's justified or that you can't criticise it, but it's important to know why they're saying what they are. 3. You mentioned that the band members are not free. Everyone has their own definition of freedom, and to a lot of people, religion has a strong grasp on people, and it doesn't encourage thought or questions. My mom is an example of this, literally anyone who calls themself a Christian, be it a political figure or whoever, she will take the word of them at face value, and assume they have the best interests of others at heart, when being religious does not automatically make you a good person. Unfortunately there are many like this, who have just been religious for so long that they no longer care to question or object to ANYTHING. In my eyes that's an extremely blinding and unhealthy way to live. In closing, I enjoyed the reaction but please do be careful with assuming anything about the band members, because if you do some digging you'll find that Chris Motionless (the vocalist) is one of the most caring and compassionate musicians in the entire industry. The whole band has a set of values and they are consistent to them. Please do listen to some more by Motionless In White, I'd recommend Immaculate Misconception next!

Man I've missed these!!

I would love to see his reaction to Masterpiece and immaculate misconception

So well spoken and articulate. You shouldn't take applause as "change" what you're doing to "get more" applause, rather take it as whatever you're doing is perfect so DON'T change it! Would love to hear your sermons, do you live stream or post them anywhere? Keep doing God's will sir, I think you're over the target!! Godspeed.

Alright. So I'm gonna help break it down and what it actually means. First off, respect you and your son for both having open minds and being interested in these discussions. The song itself is exactly what it comes off as. "Thoughts & prayers" is 100% a response to people who are typically religious who use that phrase as a "rehearsed" response to any death, trama, violence, ect. In recent days relating to primarily a response to mass shootings, which to be fair the song even makes a reference to "hiding the bodies". Some do view the church/conservatives as a major factor for gun popularity and easy access. When the band as well as a lot of other people take time to them look at the church and try to see beyond the phrase and see if there's more to it, there's usually nothing at all else happening. This isn't to say those saying it lack empathy.....but it's empty without action. Then we peel back the curtain and you have pastors in Texas with a list of over 100 pages of victims of sexual assault at the churches hands. Add in guys like Greg Locke and it's an overwhelming scene of abuse of power, lack of action, financial manipulation and just a lack of care in general. The band is reflecting a large movement of people who have shunned religion because of all these things. The song acts as a catalyst to convey those words and feelings. Unfortunately the church typically responds negatively and brands it as "devil worship" rather than actually looking into why these opinions are being openly discussed. My take away from the song and it's message is this: it did it's job and did it far beyond what the band assumed it would. Critically it was met with acclaim while also meeting large amounts of criticism for being an "attack on religion". Ultimately I love what this song accomplished. It created conversation and offended those it was meant to upset.

Great reaction, slaughterhouse or Masterpiece is great too!

Welcome back! I think you should react to alive, as a housefire by silent planet.

This was an intresting take on the song. as someone who grew up in church there is alot of trauma that comes out of the church which is why people leave. I would be intrested in hearing your take on While She Sleeps -Fakers Plague.

Love you’re guy’s thoughts on the music I love listening to. If you guys get the chance please react to The Sin and The Sentence by Trivium. Would love to hear your guy’s thoughts on the song 🔥🔥🔥

I genuinely appreciate you two. As someone who makes (at least what I hope is mostly) heavy music myself, there is so often such a stigma behind it. I appreciate all differing points of view, and I do feel that religion, Christianity most widely known but religion as a whole, is so often used by radicals who idolize their own selves, which is against the word itself. So it is extremely refreshing to hear a point of view of that does not simply condemn the words and sounds of such songs. We are all sinners, no matter your religion and know matter which one I believe in. We all make mistakes. We all fail and simply do not compare to the glory of the Almighty. I sincerely thank you two for your work and opinions, subscribed, and please keep up the amazing content.

You guys should really listen to architects! You would absolutely love their music. Start with Nihilist. It's a very deep and thought provoking song by them and then listen to Doomsday and Hereafter

I love your channel and I am glad your back doing this again. Can you do WASP Gagotha. Thanks and may God bless you both.

I'd love you guys to react to Oh, Sleeper (specifically "Hush Yael") Or Sleeping Giant with their song Sons of Thunder

For Today has toured with them several times and Pastor Mattie Montgomery of For Today said he has had many talks with them about Jesus and evangelized to him. It was awesome that Mattie would preach the gospel and contrast whatever MIW would be singing about. Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use music.

Awesomeness, I Love Y’all

I want to preface this as I don't follow a religion or anything. My family that I married into is EXTREMELY catholic and it is hard to relate. It has taken years to come to common ground where we both respect each other. Listening to this and hearing your side and how open you are to "shock" culture and taking it in stride and finding positives is honestly respectable. Thank you for these reactions and being open to listening to the other side as well. Appreciate you and your reactions.

If you wanna hear a complete 180 from this song, give Masterpiece a listen.

Falling in reverse: popular monster it’s an interesting take on depression

Always respect that he usually wont censor songs, its refreshing and makes religious people look better to people who are usually turned off by them

Would love to see y’all review some songs from Bad Omens. Especially the Death of Peace of Mind album

My friend loves them I don't know much. Interested to hear your outlook

Their reactions are fine but I've noticed on a few songs their interpretation of the songs meanings are just way off. He really should be agreeing completely with the meaning of this song. Chris Motionless even said the song is not against religion at all but it's against those that use it for their own personal gain.

"Behold the Crown" or "Lost in the Static" by After the Burial (either will blow Pastor Rob’s mind) and "Deceiver" or "Out if Control" by The Ghost Inside

Man, it was fun watching and listening to you guys. I HATE any type of organized religion and believe it is one of the world's biggest sins. Love MIW...

Awesome

Would love to hear your thoughts on sleep token, very interested to see what you think as they are a band who have a 'following' who 'worship' the offering is a good starting point song from them

curious to see you guys' thoughts on other motionless in white songs like immaculate misconception, soft, voices and disguise.

I feel like some people jump the gun and anytime an artist calls out religion they immediately take it as a personal attack on their faith when it’s almost always a critique (however scathing) on the institutions and the corruptions that lie within

One of my favorite songs honestly 😂

While I personally do not feel religious, I love hearing your views on songs and was personally waiting for this one. Others I think you should check out are "Animals" and "Hereafter" by Architects, "Blood and Water" by Memphis May Fire, and "Artificial Suicide" by Bad Omens

Good review. Nothing More / God Went North

They are doing something, they are bringing attention to those who use religion for their own gain.

You guys have to react to ' Imaculate misconspection' by them!

You should do The Amity Affliction. Pittsburgh and Soak Me in Bleach are two great songs by them. This was the first video of you guys I saw and you definitely got yourself a new follower! Have a blessed day guys 💪🏻

I actually agree with Chris Motionless here when it comes to subject matter. The song is about how some Christians judge other people for not living a godly lifestyle, and in some cases saying god hates them. But when a Christian hatefully judges other people, they aren't living like God either. It's basically a song about how Christians judge others, but they aren't willing to judge themselves. And yeah, I fully agree, the band has a point

The "preacher" part was about the Egyptian thing with weighing the heart against a feather. Hence the hearts being weighed against a feather lol.

As an atheist, I’d heard that song, but never the video. That video made me love the song even more, and made me have to head bang. Such a heavy song vocally, instrumentally and the lyrics

You need to listen to Immaculate Misconception! As a Christian myself you should look at that one, it's very relatable and he is talking about Christianity.

I think the interesting thing about this song as opposed to the usual fare on this channel is that it is a personal denunciation of gods value in the individuals life, as opposed to asking others not to believe, it is a direct appeal to religious folks to please for the love of god stop offering their religious energy to Chris, because it is wasted, at least as far as I read it, of course within that there is an atheist plea, but nonetheless. Also, Motionless In White is a very activistically secular band, in bringing that message to the youth and actively championing it through music and interviews I feel like the idea that they aren’t “doing anything” in that specific way is challenged, because in a war of ideals there are few concrete and ethical ways to “do” something, is there not?

Need to check out Impending Doom- Serpent's tongue!

You guys should do a reaction to Arch Enemy silent wars

I used to play some Motionless in White on guitar and most of the tablature I used was in B flat so very very heavy

Dad took it personally, that or the point went over his head

Love the video ! But y’all missed a whole silent planet album , plenty of lovely songs on that thing. Keep up up the good work !!

I think the doomed by a perfect circle would also be a good react video. I feel like there could be a lot of good discussion in that one

Don't quote me on this but I believe Chris(the singer) was brought up around alot of the prosperity type preachers. Which we know what can come of that. This song as an example.

I would absolutely love if y’all reacted to Wormwood by Close Your Eyes a christian metalcore band from Abilene, Tx. Would love to hear y’all’s thoughts on it.

I would love to see your thoughts on “Motionless in White - Masterpiece “ . Would y’all be interested in doing a review on it?