Passion and music are powerful entities, and together they often have the power to change the world. Concerts as recent as "Hope for Haiti" and as old as George Harrison's "The Concert for Bangladesh" illustrate the extent to which music can help to better the world.
This fall, you will have the opportunity to participate in concerts of the same league on a large scale. In fact, they will be combining music with the protection of the separation of church and state.
Many Americans mistakenly take the separation of church and state for granted. Unfortunately, as I have seen, worked on and written about myself, it is a foundation of this nation that perpetually faces adversity. Just like any social issue of great importance, it is not the government that ensures the continuity of such a requisite for freedom, but it is instead the result of efforts of political organizations that protect every American's right to participate in or refrain from worship.
During September 28-30, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, America's largest and oldest organization dedicated to protecting the Establishment Clause of our Constitution, will be hosting scores of concert events across the country in a series called Voices United for Separation of Church and State that will aid in the continued protection of such an important separation.
AU's goal is to facilitate a concert in each and every state, with major concert events in at least six, allowing for all proceeds to go towards the fight to ensure the continuity of the separation of church and state. Each concert will present a new artist whose music and politics advance the causes for which AU fights and protects, including LGBTQ and women's rights, in tandem with a major artist and presenter in each of the large concert events. So far, artists and entertainers such as Sarah Silverman, Tom Goss, Guy Davis and Catie Curtis (who is helping to produce the series as well) are planning on supporting this initiative by performing in cities such as Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Montgomery, Alabama.
But, the best part is that this is still a work in progress -- you can help to organize, host, perform, or publicize a concert near you!
Spread the word about this admirable initiative to conserve a freedom on which this nation was founded. Or even better, attend a concert! Find (or create, if necessary) the one near you, and rock on.