I read on one of the youtube comments on one of the videos from Kansas that Steve Walsh is an admitted atheist-i hope this is not true. It seems some of his songs suggest he does believe,but yet maybe he believes in other things. I know he did not want to sing Kerry's songs later for fear of being labeled a "christian" band or something to that effect. I havent heard alot about this so was wondering what their religious affiliations are.

Also i noticed Steve has little interaction with the fans, at shows,and rarely seems to be in photos with the other band members--wasnt he a little more outgoing before--or was that mostly the drug phase of his life? It seems Billy does alot of the talking and all at shows.

The Christian issue has been discussed a lot since Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope had very public conversions around thirty years ago. After Vinyl Confessions came out many labled Kansas a "Christian band'. Phil Ehart mentioned in an interview about a year ago that the members agreed early on that Kansas would be a band and not necessarily a platform for the members to promote their personal agendas.

The conversions of Kerry and Dave along with the addition of believer John Elefante created some tension in the band. Kerry and Dave left after Drastic Measures to conentrate on A.D. and John Elefante left to pursue a solo career.

Kansas is not necessarily a "Christian" band, but a band that has Christians in it. Phil Ehart and David Ragsdale helped create an organization for Christian musicians. Phil has opened up in recent years about being a believer after not talking about the subject in public much. Phil is very protective of the band's brand and image and does not want people to associate Kansas with the Contemporary Christian music genre that some tried to include it in the 80's. Steve Walsh grew up Catholic and attended a Catholic high school. He has been somewhat ambivalent about what he believes today but he I would not classify him as a "born again" or "evangelical Christian" by any stretch of the imagination.

I do not know much about Billy or Rich's religious beliefs or affiliations. Yes, Kansas has Christians in it, but I would not classify it as a "Christian" band". Phil and David have been the most visible believers in the current version of the band. That does not mean the others are heathens or nonbelievers, they are just at a different place in their spiritual walk that does not come out in the open much. Kansas wants to be known for their music, not their personal agendas.

Bigray in Ok

It deosnt matter to me what they believe really. It just makes me sad to think he may be,but that is his choice,and is really no one elses business--i love their music and they seem like they are very nice guys--of course i have never had the pleasure of meeting them,but who know maybe someday....

Bigray, I'm not sure if John left or around 1984 Rich, Phil, and John bascially said enough is enough and the band ceased to exist. The Best Of album was released to likely fulfill a contractual obligation.

Then the band started up again in '85 and the logical choice for singer was to try and get Steve Walsh back. I doubt a call to John ever crossed Phil's mind. It was Walsh or nothing.

From what I know Dave/Kerry wanted to leave the band prior to DM, but legally they were tied up for one more album/tour. I personally think KL held back some prime material for DM, saving it for the first A.D. album. (pure speculation)

- Steve

And, being as you point out he was raised Catholic, saying he's not a born again or evangelical Christian is completely irrelevant to the question that was asked.

The question was not are the members some particular variety of Christian. We Catholics are just as much Christians as the "born again" and "evangelical" folks. Please don't imply that we aren't.

Replying to the initial post now.

I wouldn't trust something posted in a comment on YouTube. The person may very well have no clue what they are talking about. We don't know where they got that information, and if it's reliable.

Really, it's none of our business what their religions affliations or beliefs are unless they choose to share them, as you do acknowledge.

As for those people who actually are atheists, don't be sad for them without knowing what they actually believe. There are many concepts of God out there. All you know if you know someone is an atheist is that they've rejected, or at least heard and not believed, one of those ideas of God. But there are plenty of ideas about God that you as a believer don't believe too.

In my post I was not trying to imply that Catholics are not Christians, just that Steve Walsh grew up Catholic. I do not know if he considers himself a practicing Catholic or even a Christian now. If anything, I was trying to emphasize that he had some Christian religious background growing up. A question was asked and I was trying to answer it as factually as possible without making value judgements about the band members beliefs. The terms 'born again" and "evangelical Christian" are terms people in the Christian music industry often use to describe people in that genre.

Regarding John Elefante, I saw an interview in the past where he mentioned he actually left Kansas before they went on there hiatus during 1984 and parts of 1985. He said Phil was not happy with his decision to leave at the time. John's departure is what brought on the hiatus somewhat because only Phil and Rich were the only ones left.

Bigray in Ok

"Born again" and "evangelical" is something separate from Catholicism. Catholics are not "born again" Christians (that is, we don't call our selves that, we don't think that way), and we are not evangelicals. So, to say he's not born again or evangelical, is to say he didn't (so far as you know) convert away from the church he was born in to another Christian church. Which is either entirely beside the point or is implying (given the initial question) that Catholics aren't Christians, or aren't real Christians. And given the general conversational expectation that what people say is relevant, it comes across at the latter.

So, assuming that wasn't a totally irrelevant side point, why point out that he's not evangelical or born again? What's the point of that? Given that he was raised in a non-evangelical, non-born again Christian church, what's the point of telling us he's not those things?

And I know you mention the use of those terms in the Christian music industry, but those terms aren't exclusive to the Christian music industry.

Didnt mean to start a war here-simply curious is all. As to what i believe i dont think i specified that Mystery Road, I am a Christian and that is all i am saying. As far as the exact definition of an atheist is i am not totally sure. To me it is someone who does not believe in God,I am not getting technical with it. You dont know really what i believe or certain things i may not accept,so please dont make assumptions.
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That being said,i simply mentioned youtube comments-i have read interviews of Steve Walsh's, and he does not come out and say anything specifically about what he believes,but i feel there is something there which is important to him. He seems reluctant in my opinionto discuss it, and that is fine with me. Not everyone wants to share that. The main fact he is clean an sober and that is fantastic--or that is what i understand. I am sure there is something that helped him get to that point.

As i said i really dont care-it just appears alot of their music(in my opinion again) has religious meanings to them in one way or another,At least that is what i am hearing. Thats the only reason i brought it up. I love the band and thats the bottom line i guess. I was simply curious is all,

There is only one God--i dont understand about concepts of God-u either believe in God or you don't.

And I said nothing about your beliefs other than calling you a believer.



Yes, there's only one God, but there are many, many different ideas about God.

An atheist is not someone who's heard and contemplated every possible concept of God and rejected them all. If that was the case, there would be no atheists. Too many possible concepts of God for that.

Think about the idea of false gods. Or believing something about God that's just not true. You reject those ideas of God that you believe are wrong. So does the atheist.

Yes, now that you put it that way I agree with what you are saying. I guess I wasnt thinking of it in that way,but that does make sense to me. I meant no offense to anyone.

Thanks for the clarification.

I have often wondered if something happened to Steve now if JE would even be thought of as a replacement.

There's only one god?

There are many, many, many (did I say many?) gods.

Catholics believe in their "one true God," but the planet - and humans have have and had many.

Thank you for asking about their religious beliefs. I too am a Christian and am happy to hear that part or even all the members of Kansas are also. GOD bless~