Tuesday, October 7, 2014

My Soapbox for the Day

Carrie Underwood came out with a new song last week.  It's beautiful, moving and inspirational, with a very strong christian/biblical stance.  For me, it has touched me and spoken to me in a way I didn't realize I needed until I heard it.  I know I've said before that I am mildly (slightly more?) obsessed with her.  I love her voice and her music but mostly I love her steadfast faith and the fact that she doesn't let producers/managers/the public tell her she shouldn't be vocal about her faith in God.  She's not afraid of whatever public backlash there may be just because she loves God and doesn't care who knows it.  

Unfortunately, because of her beautiful song (which I'm sure has spoken to others, not just myself) atheists are screaming mad and demanding radio stations stop playing her song.  Because they don't believe in God.  

Look, I am a big believer in not judging others, it's not our place.  Do I fail at this at times?  Yes, of course, I'm only human.  I have to remind myself constantly to not judge someone, I don't know their life story, where they've come from, what kind of day they've had etc. Therefore, I will do my best not to judge you based on differing beliefs.  But I would NEVER demand that a friend/coworker/family member/stranger stop what they're saying and be silenced simply because I don't agree with them.  I mean, we live in America where our founders created a Bill of Rights that has established the freedoms we have in our country.  The very first amendment includes freedom of speech.  It was written with the original intention of making sure the government couldn't silence a citizen simply because they don't agree with them.  I highly doubt the government would get involved in banning a Carrie Underwood song but it won't stop radio stations if they are pressured enough.  

I guess my issue is, I as a Christian, am not demanding that atheists be silenced because I don't agree with them.  Why does one group of people get to bully and push around another simply because of differing opinions?  And yes, I'm serious when I say bully.  A bully is defined as someone who attempts to dominate or intimidate another they view as weaker Bully Definition.  Why do we focus so much on the bullies in our schools etc when they are only learning from the adults in the world around us?  Why do we as adults think we can essentially bully someone just because we don't agree or don't like them, then reprimand our children for doing the same to their peers?  

Thankfully Carrie has said what I would say to those that want to silence her,
 “Country music is different,” Underwood announced. “You have that Bible Belt-ness about it. I’m not the first person to sing about God, Jesus, faith, or any of that, and I won’t be the last. And it won’t be the last for me, either. If you don’t like it, change the channel."

Though I wish she didn't feel the need to justify it by saying "country music is different", at least she's not backing down and backtracking on her beliefs.

If you don't like it, change the channel.  I love it.


She has another beautiful song for our troops.  I won't share so as not to overload you all with Carrie but it's called Keep us Safe if you'd like to find it on youtube.