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How important are personal beliefs in bands?
- Thread starter Catbuster
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I think that if you aren't mature enough to discuss your views politely, respectfully and with the knowledge that others have views that are valid too then you should keep your mouth shut. i don't think there's any reason you shouldn't discuss religion or politics but you have to know that they are sensitive subjects that need to be handled with care. I lose respect for folks that have opinions on either side of an argument that is disrespectful or so narrow-minded as to not acknowledge another's viewpoint. To the OP, I think that going into a band situation (for sure where I live in Austin, TX) and ranting the conservative viewpoint is just asking for a fight. Around here, you'd definitely be in the minority...and with a sensitive thing like this, why not just ask others about their view and listen to what they have to say? Even if you disagree, you still might benefit from getting to know someone else. I think this is more reasonable than rules about what's on/off limits conversation-wise...just be mature about other's feelings...
If a person in the band your in enjoys yankin' your ideological chain, it's a reason to start looking for another gig. As political as I am, I won't usually bring stuff like that up unless I know where the bandmate's ideals lie.
If it's a new gig, but I really like the whole of it, why rock that boat? If others are not doing it, I ain't going there.
The only near garauntee you have of walkin' in to an act where you all may have the same beliefs is a faith-worship style act. Otherwise, you's takes yer chances.
If it's a new gig, but I really like the whole of it, why rock that boat? If others are not doing it, I ain't going there.
The only near garauntee you have of walkin' in to an act where you all may have the same beliefs is a faith-worship style act. Otherwise, you's takes yer chances.
I can't get over this chorus of people telling OP "you don't know how to get along." Hello!? The GUITARIST is the party guilty of the behavior you describe.
You're leaving out the part about the guitarist's behavior which makes all the difference in this case.
Civil discourse? Yes. Political debate? Of course. But abusive ridicule of another's views? No. Walk out. Screw them and their gig.
No, it was the OP started the conversation off with an insulting and dismissive attitude ridiculing the OWS movement. The guitarist did indeed overreact, but the OP basically asked for it.
As to the underlined part, the abusive ridicule is exactly what the OP did with his attitude against the OWS folks, and he did it first.
People say things, but not all things said require a response. Sometimes it's best to allow someone their fringe opinions, especially if they are in-actionable ravings.
I've played with people who were gun-toting fanatics (I own a gun, but I don't have to go around detailing what idiot i'd take out with it every 15 minutes). I've played with people who've worked on political campaigns of people I'd never consider voting for. I've played with people of a number of different religions, including atheists.
The thing is to compartmentalize your life. In my life, there are band members, co-workers, high school buds, college buds, grad school buds, neighbors. Very few people in my life cross through more than two of those groups. So I deal with them for what and who they are. I don't expect my co-workers to be best buds who share my tastes in politics, beer, and race relations. Why should I expect the same of my band members?
I will not work in a band with racists, even if they were racist toward an ethnicity that I am not associated with. Other than that, I take people as they are and intelligently choose when to engage in "debate".
Actually, I do know some who aren't militant about it but in Milwaukee, they're rare. We have only had one Republican mayor and one who was called a "Democrat/Republican Fusion" since 1900. We're also the last major city with a Socialist mayor- we had two in the 20th Century for a total of 36 years and one who had no official party affiliation for 6 years. The rest have been Democrats.
Personally, I think the ones at the extremes should go pound sand and let the ones in the middle reach some kind of agreements.
Ok, now it's really getting off topic, but let me elaborate. That's how we do in europe. You got to take care of your cityzens in a democracy.
What should we do with the people who aren't supposed to be here? From the list of the population of European countries I saw that only 10 countries have more citizens than the US has illegal aliens if the 12 Million number is accurate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_and_population_of_European_countries
What about those who drop out of school because they would rather join a gang, do drugs or engage in a life of crime, exploiting the Welfare system?
Democracy has nothing to do with handouts, by the way. From Wikipedia, "Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives.[1] Ideally, this includes equal (and more or less direct) participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law.[1] It can also encompass social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination.".
Another point you may not know, the US is a Federal Republic and by design, that means the states are supposed to do most of the governing, not the Federal branch.
Without trying to be a semantic jackwagon:
1) How important personal beliefs are depends on what you're (read: YOU are) trying to accomplish. If the band is all about making a political statement, personal beliefs are paramount (think Green Day or Charlie Daniels, take your pick); if your beliefs don't align with the goals of the project organizer, by all means bail, and ask yourself how you managed to get hooked up in the first place with people so far afield from your own values. If, on the other hand, the band is trying to make a buck playing covers or dollar dances, personal beliefs are entirely irrelevant (unless you're working on the 'therefore come out from among them, and be ye separate' theory, in which case I'd love to hear how often you're working and where
). 2) Did you do the right thing? See # 1. How do you feel about it? Me, if I told someone I'd play a gig, I consider that a verbal contract, and I wouldn't feel right about bailing with less than a week's notice--but political beliefs don't usually enter in to why I play, or for whom. OTOH, if the gig was presented to me as purely a 'let's make a few bucks playing fun songs at a party' proposition, and a political agenda was sprung by surprise later in the process, I would not necessarily have a moral problem backing out. It would still depend on what I knew and when.
Bottom line: What did you know? When did you know it? And "What does it matter to ya? When you got a job to do, ya gottan do it well..." --AB
Uh.....I think it's time for the mod to step in, as these comments are becoming political in nature, which is prohibited on TB.
This thread is supposed to focus on communicating with other band members, and the benefits (or detriments) of keeping one's views to oneself.
It's okay to discuss on TB whether or not to broach issues with band members. It's not okay to discuss on TB the actual subject matter of political issues.
See the difference?
This thread is supposed to focus on communicating with other band members, and the benefits (or detriments) of keeping one's views to oneself.
It's okay to discuss on TB whether or not to broach issues with band members. It's not okay to discuss on TB the actual subject matter of political issues.
See the difference?
Probably because I had a date with Mrs ThunderGod.
She is hot... Politics are not. Not Here!
Vent in the shower. Thanks. Closed.
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