This is interesting. I heard about this a couple of days ago and now there are several stories on the web. Haste The Day has fired guitarist Jason Barnes because, he is an Atheist. From The Christian Post.
“After several months of reading literature and talking with friends, Jason had determined that he felt there was no God and certainly no Jesus,” the group revealed.
“We as a band do not have problem with those that do not believe in Jesus, nor do we cast judgement (sic) on those that do not believe in Jesus,” the band continued. “We just want to love on people like Jesus would and hopefully share a little bit about what he’s done and doing in our lives.”…
…”Jason’s new found disbelief in what the rest of us have committed our lives to began to cause disunity within the band and as a result, we prayed and talked about it and felt like God was saying it wasn’t time for Haste the Day to come to an end. [Thus], we asked Jason to leave.”
“New found disbelief”, that’s one I’ve not heard before.
I looked at the band’s website and I’m impressed by the how well these guys have covered all the bases. They have a tight MySpace page, YouTube, Facebook, they have a store link where you can buy merch direct, all presented well. They have obviously spent a lot of time and effort to put this thing together and present it in a professional manner.
It’s a business, a cottage industry.
Now, I know that there are people out there, that are going to say this is discrimination, “You can’t fire a guy because he’s an Atheist”. There’s probably some ACLU cat chomping at the bit.
On the other hand, this is a business that markets itself as Christian band. They book shows that are Christian events and sell CDs and merch on that basis.
I know that many of you are parents that may have had the experience of sending your kid away for the weekend, with a Church group, on a Church bus, to one of these events that feature, among other activities, Christian music. You give the kid some pocket money, for food and what have you, feeling confident that they will be spending it on things you do not disapprove of.
I’ve seen these kids getting off the bus just loaded down with Christian rock band T-Shirts, posters and CDs. A great deal of it bought with money, given to them by their parents, who would not approve of the same purchases from a mainstream band.
Here’s my question; If a band is promoting themselves in this way and, they knowingly have a non-believer as a member, and they don’t fire him, would that be a type of fraud?
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Tags: christian music, Christian Post, haste the day, jason barnes, Music
Sans Direction wrote,
The Onion as usual, has the answer.
Or at least an answer.
Link | July 24th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Pribek wrote,
That’s funny. Pillar Of Salt should have a record called “Don’t Look Back”.
Link | July 24th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
J wrote,
What were they thinking? They should have kept him and made it one of their band’s ministerial objectives to “convert” him; –just think of all the hype that next album could muster! Eventually, he’d probably get an aneurysm and at least start hugging trees anyway…
;-)
Link | July 24th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Pribek wrote,
You’re on to something there J. And, it wouldn’t have to be a one off either. The guy could backslide, come back to the fold-repeat. How many “farewell” tours have the Judds had?
More Shaman.
Link | July 24th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Pat Darnell and Friends wrote,
We’ve used so many metaphors now, I’ve forgotten what we were talking about.
Link | July 25th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Pat Darnell and Friends wrote,
Thanks Sans: the Onion Article … Three angels, only one has wings as the other two got clipped, and his Jack Nicholson act isn’t working out… boohoo
Maybe he should’ve said this is Rock Salt and Rolen, bus tours… do you want to actually see the Pillar of Salt?
Salty Dog:
A twisted path, our tortured course, and no one left alive..
We fired the gun, and burnt the mast, and rowed from ship to shore.. (Procol Harum)
Other wise I got nothing. Hot salt raw, sittin on the ritta raw and a socket it to me.. huh? Just wish someone would write a rock and roll song i can understand.. (Prib)
Link | July 25th, 2008 at 6:23 pm