Just how far do you take you non-belief? I give an example from my favorite atheist musician, This song was written a while ago just after the Pan-Am 727 exploded over Lockabie. It contains lyrics that now might be considered too controversial. In fact I could only find this one post of the original on youtube. Anyway here is "Black cloud of Islam" by Roy Harper
Wow lots of comments here. Too many to reply to individually so I will do so here; From what I know of the artist, this was a genuine heartfelt response to an event which shocked him. Not a call to arms. However the line "and you can put a lead bullet clean through this guitar, coz I`m not overjoyed with the story so far" may be okay for the individual but what about others? When I looked this track up, this was the only post I could find. I suspect that Roy himself may have pulled the youtube posts in light of subsequent events (9/11, Iraq war etc.). Not wanting to condone violence or racism. I am also reminded of a west coast radio station that cancelled a Richard Dawkins interview last year because they discovered his rails against Islam. Although they were well aware of his published views on Christianity. This begs the question; When does cultural identity become racial prejudice? And when does fear of being perceived as racist lead to censorship (self or imposed) of ideas?
this bombing was used as the excuse to demolish the most prosperous country in africa. nobody has proven who bombed that flight but libya is a shell of its former self with sectarian violence a regular part of life where there had been only prosperity under Ghaddafi
Ok, this always stirs controversy for the simple fact that anti-religious critique is too easily confused with ethnic bigotry as soon as the critic is criticizing a tradition that culturally is foreign to him or her. How many here recall that stupid incident on Bill Maher's show when Ben Affleck railed against Maher and fellow-guest Sam Harris for "anti-Islamic" bigotry. He was wrong, and they both made their case quite competently, but that is not how most of the media reported it.
I certainly am concerned about the violent, awful disregard for life and for independent choice that we keep seeing so many examples of from jihadist Islamists. BUT, I know my voice as an Anglo-American on this specific subject will not be received with the same regard as an ex-muslim apostate. They can have more effectove voice than I can on this specific issue. When I criticize Islam, and I occasionally do, I try always to keep it in the context of Abrahamic/monotheistic religion in general, and always save space for the oh-so-justly deserved criticism of Christianity, which not only also deserves the criticism but also is a reference point that I am much more knowledgeable about and to which I personally can much more credibly speak.
--After all, it is not like there isn't ample Christian dominionist terrorism happening. In the U.S., that is actually a far bigger problem than Islamic terrorism, but the Christian thugs tend to get a pass with our culture and the media. They are rarely called out for what they are.
I like, "The Bible Is Bulls***" by Corporate Avenger.
I keep saying, any religion is the cause of most horrific acts.. used as a manipulation tool for sheep to fallow
Remind me a lot of good old Jethro Tull of course... that irish rhythm on that acoustic guitar and even the voice. Thank You because every terrorist act affect us all somehow.
He has worked with Ian Anderson
@273kelvin So there you go... one of my favorite musicians... the mad man with a flute... unique and still alive and kicking. Thanks for bringing back good times memories.
@GipsyOfNewSpain You can find him singing "have a cigar" on Floyd and Led Zep paid tribute to him in "Hats off to Harper".
Not really my type of music, but the lyrics are pretty powerful. My favourite atheist musician was Frank Zappa.