“Rock Beyond Belief” — the self-described atheist counter-event to the Christian “Rock the Fort” — has announced that Fort Bragg has agreed to allow it to hold its festival next March on the Army post.  While there is a bit of celebration on their part, its worth noting Fort Bragg also approved their request for last spring; RBB just decided to cancel itself at the time (and then allowed Michael Weinstein to equate the Army with racists over the incident).

The statement makes no reference to what changed, other than noting their event will be held on the parade field rather than the previously approved theatre.  There is no mention, for example, of their prior demand that the US military (or, more accurately, the Christian collection plate) fund their event.

It would seem RBB finally got its paperwork figured out.  As has been said before, they should be allowed to hold their fellowship event, just as anyone else should be able to.  Everyone just needs to follow the same processes, rather than demand special treatment.  Everyone also needs to adhere to the same restrictions.

Hopefully, Rock Beyond Belief will continue the accurate portrayal of the US military as supportive of its servicemembers’ rights to celebrate their beliefs — whatever they are.