Atheist Douches Object to Gospel Music at MLK Celebration

[CapnAwesome]

I guess I can see where you guys are coming from, but I think music and art that contains a religious message should be permitted when used appropriately. For instance, if public money were used to create a documentary about MLK and the civil rights movement, I'd have no problem with gospel music being used in the background. Such a soundtrack would be appropriate to the subject matter, and may even aid in telling the story.

It's not just a matter of me thinking FFRF is making a mountain out of a mole hill. That's part of it, yes. But the other part has to do with the fact that it's music, an artform, a mode of expression which can feature more than one type of message. I could play you some gospel songs from that period that (on the surface) contain an overt religious message, but to the astute listener contains commentary about Jim Crow and the social disparity between blacks and whites.

If it's just gospel music, I'm fine with that. It's the "and religious messages " that I'd need more information on. Christians always misportray what atheist groups are complaining about, so I don't know why this instance would be any different. It's easy to throw in MLKs name as a cover to avoid criticism for what your real agenda is. If it were just a speech or program about MLK with a little gospel music, that seems fine. If it's really a religious program with a little MLK thrown in to set up an attack like this, that's obviously wrong on a number of levels. MLK himself was against prayer in public school. This is his comments on the supreme court decision on prayer in public school.

“I endorse it. I think it was correct,” King said. “Contrary to what many have said, it sought to outlaw neither prayer nor belief in God. In a pluralistic society such as ours, who is to determine what prayer shall be spoken, and by whom? Legally, constitutionally or otherwise, the state certainly has no such right. I am strongly opposed to the efforts that have been made to nullify the decision. They have been motivated, I think, by little more than the wish to embarrass the Supreme Court.

So is this really about gospel music? I doubt it. It also seems like MLK comes down on the side of the atheists in this one.