Chris Rodda Criticizes USAF Band Because ISIS
It didn’t take too long for Michael “Mikey” Weinstein’s research assistant, Chris Rodda, to pen a diatribe criticizing the US Air Force Band’s “flash mob” kick-off to the Christmas season. As is her typical style, she wrote an 800 word passive-aggressive narrative without ever really saying why she was writing it, other than a vague objection to “religiosity” on the part of the Air Force.
Near the end, though, she finally cut to the chase:
I’ll bet there are some Islamic extremists out there who are also being quite “inspired” by these viral videos of mobs of uniformed U.S. military personnel belting out lines like “Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King!,” “Joy to the world! the Savior reigns,” and “This, this is Christ the king!”
Way to go, U.S. Air Force Band!
Ah! So the MRFF thinks that if Islamic extremists will hate America if they see US troops do something on YouTube, then US troops shouldn’t be allowed to do it. Even if its a constitutionally-protected human liberty, the bad guys have veto over the rights of American citizens.
This is one of Mikey Weinstein’s oldest arguments. It is also his least successful, for what are probably obvious reasons. Still, it helps explain why a “religious liberty” crusader like Weinstein or his acolyte Rodda would attack Christians in the US military who were expressing Christian beliefs during Christian religious services.
In truth, Weinstein was probably as ticked off this year about the USAF Band performance as he was last year, and he fired off an order to have Rodda write something — anything — pronto. She probably jammed it together in a weekend, and the best she could come up with was that the USAF band was wrong to play Christmas songs “because, ISIS.”
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With respect, you missed the point of the post. The United States Air Force Band played Christian music at a flash mob. It was recorded and placed on YouTube. It will, if it hasn’t already, be used by those who hate the USA to prove we are lying hypocrites and worthy of death.
Forgive my questions, but isn’t the United States of America a secular state and isn’t there an establishment clause that says there isn’t to be any endorsement of religion? I’m sure there are Christians in the Air Force Band. I’m sure there are many faiths in the band as I’ve known members in the past.
I’m (almost) positive you aren’t advocating the USAF Band be proselytizing for Christianity? You are a pilot, you took an oath to uphold the Constitution. The name in your blog indicates you are Christian and your Holy Book says government on one side, religion on the other.
I am one of THOSE other people Sir. According to several voices on the Christian Right I do not deserve the Rights guaranteed to me by the Constitution. According to voices on the Christian Right I am filled with demons because of my otherness. Funny, you’d think I’d notice something like that.
What I can do is look at myself in the mirror and know to my core that I follow a moral code that allows me empathy and compassion for my fellow man. I follow an inner voice that says do what thou wilt, but let love be the law. I live my life For the Good of All and May it Harm None. I Sir, can look at myself in the mirror and if I died today, not be afraid of what I find on the other side.
Now – this band issue. They took the one maybe secular number and added a Christian tagline. Really? And you are upset with Chris because she pointed out the Freaking Emperor hasn’t any clothes?
Honestly, how do you look at yourself in the mirror in the morning? I guess the same as all of us. For 2015 may the light be turned on and your eyes see what you don’t want to see.
@Connie,
Did you know that America’s pluralistic society, which permits varying degrees of atheism and paganism, is “used by those who hate the USA to prove we are…worthy of death?” What do you think should be done?
Actually, there isn’t. You can read it here.
You probably need to look up the use of that reference. It doesn’t appear you’re using it correctly.
Isn’t it great to live in a society where people can freely exercise their faith?
* Did you know that America’s pluralistic society, which permits varying degrees of atheism and paganism, is “used by those who hate the USA to prove we are…worthy of death?” What do you think should be done?
You did not clarify who is hating on the USA. Local? Foreign? And what do I think should be done about what? What others think of us? Honestly as long as we are accepting responsibility for our own actions and practicing what we preach it’s none of my business what anyone else thinks.
* Isn’t it great to live in a society where people can freely exercise their faith?
Freely exercise my faith? Really? Perhaps for you but my very existence is a blight on the world and offends a statesmen in Colorado. Tell me again how wonderful it is right now. Please.
Thank you for providing the link regarding the establishment clause. It helps to prove my point.
The United States Air Force Band (in whole) may be made up of people but as a unit they represent the United States of America. They can not represent any faith.
Per your link – Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Once a person is in the military the rules change as they are representatives of the US Government. You of all people should know that. The band members are free to play what they want when not representing the USAF. Seriously. I’m done here as you are not being honest with me. But of course it is not necessary as I’m not cut out exactly as you are cut out.
It was your quote.
You appeared to identify a problem. What is your solution? Why the complaint if you don’t think a problem needs to be solved?
Yes, really. Your retort didn’t say you weren’t free to exercise your faith. So it is wonderful that even you are free to exercise your faith — even if other people don’t like it. Another person’s offense isn’t preventing you from practicing your faith.
There is some truth in that statement, but it has nothing to do with the Air Force band playing a Christmas song.
What here was not honest?
Isn’t it great to live in a society where you are free to comment — or not — on the internet?
OK – I’m back. I was not clear (thank you for pointing out where my logic failed) and you asked a good question. Sighs. Curiosity killed the cat and satisfaction brought it back. That phrase seems to rule my life.
I let go the use of the video – honestly once something is set free on the interwebs it no longer belongs to the parent/creator. Shoot – with Photoshop it can appear that I’m in Egypt when I’ve not left my home state for a while.
Here is the point to my writing to you and why I believe you are not being honest with me.
**Once a person is in the military the rules change as they are representatives of the US Government…**
*There is some truth in that statement, but it has nothing to do with the Air Force band playing a Christmas song.
The MRFF exists because you do not see an issue when representatives of the Military of the United States of America played exclusively Christian music during a season shared by many cultures. In fact they made a point of taking a number that could have been a token to the humanists (who had to be in the audience) and added a Christian tag line. Way to be inclusive Air Force Band.
I’m not sure how I can be any clearer on this point. I know the rules and if you insist I will find the regs, the page, paragraph, line, and sentence they are listed. I can polish the grains of the sand in the Sahara sir, and if need be I will go there. It’s a pain in the buttocks though and I’m already surfing a fibro flair that makes me hate humanity so I’m not going there.
You are entitled to your opinion and your unshakeable faith in your Lord and Savior. However, you are not entitled to smear someone you don’t like (anyone with MRFF as far as I can tell by browsing your blog) with false logic.
You believe what the Air Force Band did was backed by the law. How exactly is that correct?
@Connie,
One definition of “smear” is to “damage the reputation of (someone) by false accusations.” Please point out something on this website that is factually incorrect, and it will be corrected. If you can’t, you should reconsider your accusation.
There is no rule, regulation, law, or policy that proscribes a military band from playing a particular tune because it has religious content — whether it relates to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Buddhist new year or Ramadan — all of which the USAF band has played.
Your hypersensitivity to a Christmas song says more about you than the Air Force band.
**In truth, Weinstein was probably as ticked off this year about the USAF Band performance as he was last year, and he fired off an order to have Rodda write something — anything — pronto. She probably jammed it together in a weekend, and the best she could come up with was that the USAF band was wrong to play Christmas songs “because, ISIS.**
Where is your proof for this statement? It sounds pretty smeary to me.
You asked what I think should be done – and I’ve been thinking of nothing else since. Do you know the MRFF only files a suit when those in the military ask them to do so. Do you know that most of the complaints are filed on behalf of Christians because they aren’t the Correct Christian (trademark pending)?
The MRFF wasn’t around when my late husband Brian suffered undo hazing by his superiors because he followed the faith of his grandfather (he was Asatru and was a warrior of Thor). He avoided being raped by using the skills taught to him by the Marines. For that uppity behavior he was discharged. The Marines wanted to do more but if they had the details would have come out and believe me, there was more to the story.
So – what is my solution? Faith is important to many people. It is what makes their lives complete. I wouldn’t take that away from anyone. However that very faith is being used as a weapon by Dominionist Christians who are doing their dead level best to turn this country into a Theocracy. Google Seven Mountains if you don’t believe me.
Shoot, you could even be one of them although I think not as you’ve been amazingly polite. Thank you for that kindness. It is not often extended to someone like me.
Anyway – to my idea. Perhaps the military should be very secular until balance is restored. Right now the composition of chaplains doesn’t match the faith of the troops. That would be my first step – make sure those who are entrusted with the faith of soldiers actually represent them – including those of no faith.
That’s my idea – at least to start – and then work forward from there. I would love to have the AF Band play whatever religious or secular music it wants and no one bats an eye because the idea of being exclusive was so 2014.
I hope you and yours enjoy a happy new year.
@Connie
You’re asking for proof of an opinion, though it is an educated opinion based on how Rodda and Weinstein typically operate. Opinions are, by definition, not facts.
That’s a Weinstein talking point, but one without factual basis. Please provide an example of a complaint that involved allegations someone wasn’t a “correct Christian.”
To undermine your point, two considerations:
– It was the MRFF, not a Christian group, that declared certain people are not “true Christians” and are therefore not entitled to religious freedom or the ability to serve in the US military.
– Weinstein has filed 4 lawsuits against the military. None involved allegations of “correct Christians.” In fact, contrary to your claim, most of the plaintiffs weren’t Christians at all.
Your solution isn’t directly the responsibility of the military. The military can only accept chaplains that apply. If most chaplains that apply are from a particular religious faith, those are the chaplains they’ll get. This has long been a problem in many areas — that’s why there is a shortage of Catholic priests in the military. It has nothing to do with a military bias against Catholicism; it’s just that not enough priests are trying to become chaplains.
You need to lay the blame at the feet of those responsible — and it isn’t the military.
“Those of no faith” have access to the same resources as “those of faith.” If you’re advocating for a non-religious religious leader, that’s another issue.
Two groups of people batted an eye in December: Those who were offended by Christmas music played by a military band, and those who were proud of the military for not bending to those critics.
You’re again holding the military responsible for the offense of others. If you want a world where no one bats an eye, you need to talk to the eye-batters, not blame the military.