Ugh, I'll take my metal without the inclusion of religion, thank you.
Hah!
I think that this is the 1st time since (we have both) been here that I'm NOT on the same page/in agreement with you
ko1ru To me, this implies that you're only interested in the lyrics over the actual music itself.
While, IMO, lyrics can definitely play a part in & enhance metal songs - the raw edge/power, acceleration, rythms, progressions, solos, chords, excitement, etc of the music itself is what's always drawn me to metal...
Just like I can enjoy listening to Pantera, Testament, Meliah Rage, Grim Reaper, Ozzy, and Exodus -so- can I enjoy their "power ballads", which, when you think "metal"...they don't really sound like at all.
Lastly - what if you heard & loved a (in this case) *Metal* song before it had any Lyrics?!
You would then:
A). Still like the song as long as the lyrics were non-religious, and
B). Stop liking/no longer enjoy the song should its lyrics mention/reference any religion at all?!
tl;dr = I think that it should be pretty simple to separate and enjoy both a song's musicality and/or lyrics...Together and/or independently of each other