The concern is the potential for intimidation and coersion. North Carolina military instillations know the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan very well. Any deployment in the region requires a reliance on 'unit' members. There really isn't room for discrimination of any kind.
The "Rock the Post" concert is not a 'minor or ? normal ?' concert. It is being sponsored by Evangelical Christians. With that comes 'an asking' for all attendees to have seven other people sign an agreement to come and be open to the 'suggestion' of becoming an Evangelical as well.
The 'idea' that unit members are not suppose to see each other's differences, so much as their mutual cause, is what is 'at risk' with this particular concert. If the concert were simply open to anyone and there wasn't any type of 'pressure' that goes along with it, I wouldn't think anything of it. But, Evangelicals are very difficult to get along with. We have witnessed the 'extremism' of these military members and their intimidating behaviors at the USA Air Force Academy.
The military administration at Fort Bragg needs to 'manage' the concert differently. If they weren't soliciting 'on base' for church members 'as the ticket' to the concert I doubt there would be objection. This isn't an average rock concert. This is a concert specifically sponsored by an Evangelical preacher 'with an agenda.' That should not be part of it. Would any other rock group seek to 'enlist' the members of the military into their 'group?' No. Why should this one?
I would think the preacher sponsoring this concert should believe the artists and their performances would be enough 'inspriation' to the audience. I just don't think it is right. At the end of 'joining' the church is tithing. That is a bit of a contract. So, the dynamics of this sponsored concert is very different than if Billy Joel was holding a USO concert for the troops.
I believe there is some danger here for the troops and it is the obligation of the administration to reduce any possiblity of discrimination among their 'unit members.' I think the sponsor needs to drop the sign up sheets. That is more than should be allowed. Why haven't they worked through the USO to bring this concert to the troops? I think it shows an unwillingness to 'work within' the 'usual' venues for entertainment.
09/25/2010 06:04 PM
Christian rock concert at Fort Bragg sparks controversy (click here)
By: Gavin MacRoberts
Organizations have complained that a Christian rock concert should not be hosted by a government agency. Their stance is that it is a violation of separation of Church and State and displays a preferential treatment of a religion. However Army officials counter that it is a well settled Constitutional law for Chaplains in the Military to offer religious events.
"Really, this is just one aspect of it. We have programs across Fort Bragg for many different faiths and our Christian faith is just one of those," said Col. David Hellis, Chaplin.
Col. Hellis said that the Army is a diverse organization with all major faiths represented and celebrated.
