As I write this post, the band Future of Forestry should be getting ready to play a gig in San Diego called 8-8-08. The plan was to have eight bands, eight speakers and be an event focused on worship.
But recently the event coordinators added a speaker to the line up who would be rallying attendees to vote against the same-sex marriage bill being presented in California. When Future of Forestry lead vocalist Eric Owyoung heard that, he pulled the band from the event.
Not because he is for or against gay marriage, but because the event was supposed to be a worship event, not a political rally.
On his blog, Owyoung tells fans, "I have told my fan-base that they will be attending a worship concert. If they are not getting exactly that, then I can't play with integrity."
He was told that the message would be shared "in love" (don't you love that Christian euphemism?). "I have been told this isn't a political discussion but a Biblical one. But when we are talking about laws, voters, and legislation, we are talking about politics."
As such, he didn't think it would be appropriate to play.
I totally agree. My own views on gay marriage aside, I think that too often the church is using events that gather people together to worship God to promote a political agenda. Christians aren't all Republican or Democrat, pro- or anti- gay rights. But they should all be pro-Jesus. A worship event can and should bring those Christians with varying political views together to worship the same God.
Owyoung is clear that he speaks for himself and not the band on this subject. To read his entire post, visit his blog.
To learn more about Future of Forestry, and their latest album, Twilight, which is amazing, visit the band's MySpace page.
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Joanne
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