Videos: The Sheds post lyric video in response to recent homophobic comments

Posted by aubin on Monday, January 14, 2013 at 3:00 PM (EST)

Pop-punk outfit The Sheds have released their lyric video for "Ignorance is Bliss." The release of the song coincides with a oblique reference to the recent attacks on homosexuality by For Today guitarist Mike Reynolds. The song specifically calls out homophobia and vocalist Mac Miller notes:

In light of recent displays of intolerance, we are releasing the first song off this new record earlier than anticipated." Adding, ""Ignorance Is Bliss" is our stance as supporters of equal rights. We believe there is no excuse (religious or other) to alienate any person or group."

The song will appear on the band's new album I'll Be Fine which is set to hit stores this spring through Mediaskare Records.

Bands in this story

The Sheds

Mediaskare Records (43 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

twistheknife (January 14, 2013)

"our stance as supporters of equal rights. We believe there is no excuse (religious or other) to alienate any person or group"

So what about peoples rights to having their own opinion on what a true christian is? It wasnt 'intolerance', it was stating his firm beliefs without letting others (like this bands) intolerance for those beliefs, change his mind. As much as I hate For Today and Religion as a whole, I can respect him standing his ground on those beliefs. You cant preach tolerance while being just as intolerant, if not more intolerant, of their beliefs, when youre so worried about them being tolerant of yours. Its backwards and hypocritical.

Another example of being able to alienate and have intolerance as long as it suits your own belief system.
Ignorance truly is bliss.

Skibz777 (January 14, 2013)

I agree with this, and I agree with this as an LGBT person. Sure, I find a lot of faults in Mr. Reynolds' antiquated beliefs and I will choose not to support his music, but until he starts preaching unambiguous and unlawful hatred such as, say, advocating violence against LGBT people, it's certainly not my place to suppress his freedom of opinion despite my personal objections.

Also, on an unrelated and unbiased note, The Sheds are really terrible. Seriously, one of the worst bands I've seen live.

ExtraCheesePizza (January 14, 2013)

Tell us about your respect for the KKK next.

Skibz777 (January 14, 2013)

To be fair, the KKK have a rich and fascinating history.

mahalfy (January 14, 2013)

This is a "Fox News" response to an honest question.

ExtraCheesePizza (January 14, 2013)

I wouldn't argue against that, but there can be a world of difference between what I find interesting and what I find admirable.

twistheknife (January 14, 2013)

I respect anyones belief with anything they want to believe in, its when people start changing their beliefs around due to an overly sensitive society, that I lose that respect. The beauty of the world is that we will NEVER agree on everything. Ever. Though I dont support his beliefs or being homophobic, There will always be people who will. They have just as much of a place in this world. Its just their own place, and you dont have to like it. My point is, being judgemental and intolerant of others beliefs because you think its so bad that they judge you for your own belief is the definition of being a hypocrit.

Side note, goodjob trying to bring race into this. Stick to the subject eh?

hayman (January 14, 2013)

People have a right to an opinion yes. They also have the responsibility to shut up about it when someone else is going to be offended.
Just because you have an opinion doesn't mean it has a place in the world.

twistheknife (January 14, 2013)

Responsibility to shut up about it? HA

Yeah okay, silence those who dont agree with your viewpoints. Being offended is that persons own fault for caring what others think or say about them. If I was gay, I wouldnt give two shits what anyone has to say. Everyones demonized by certain people in society for so many different things, do we go around just shutting everyone up? Being in a band is about voicing what you feel or your opinions and hes a christian, in a christian band, making a christian statement. No shocker there. Should be expected.

Skibz777 (January 14, 2013)

Are you serious? People shouldn't say anything out of fear that it might offend someone else? And you're voicing this opinion on a punk rock site? If that's true, then bands should never, ever say anything about politics or society, right? Everything should be completely neutral so that nobody can disagree over anything?

That's how freedom of speech works, for better or for worse: if a band you enjoy can freely criticize the government or religion, then another band you hate is free to criticize the same from the opposite perspective, which may just include racism or homophobia. That's a sad truth, yes, but otherwise it's just a double-standard.

hayman (January 14, 2013)

Are you serious? I'm talking about weeding out stupidity and groundless hate, not so much the point someone might get offended
If you don't like someone for a legitimate reason I'm not fussed. I generally don't get along with football fans, does that mean I don't want them to exist, no. They're football fans.
A person that hates others for being gay? That's groundless hatred and these people need to be removed from society.
But at the end of the day if you're getting life guidance from a incorrectly translated book you're not the sort of person I want anything to do with, if being a good person and not pointlessly hating others isn't inherent to you you're already a waste of air in my opinion. As the great Jim Jefferies says "The bible should have 1 page and 1 rule, Rule #1, don't be a cunt". It's really not that difficult.

Skibz777 (January 14, 2013)

There's a lot of assuming going on here. To what extent, other than merely stating it's a "sin", does Mr. Reynolds "hate" gays? There's a big difference between merely holding the religious belief that homosexuality is a sin, and using that religious belief to carry out acts of hate like assault. The guy likely also believes that premarital sex and masturbation are sins, too. That's merely the widespread belief of his denomination of Christianity. You can hear this exact same thing on hundreds of Christian TV and radio channels every minute. Like I said below, unless he starts burning down LGBT-friendly churches, there's no reason to silence him for stating his religious beliefs. Just don't listen.

hayman (January 14, 2013)

Just read that he's going to bible college with the intention of doing full time mission work in the middle east.
Enough said.

Skibz777 (January 14, 2013)

So? Even Mother Teresa considered homosexuality a sin, but she still accepted homosexuals (though urged them to remain chaste).

keithus (January 15, 2013)

Actually, freedom of speech works like this: You won't be imprisoned for your stupid beliefs and opinions. Period.

People are free to be homophobic morons and believe in fake Gods. People are also free to shun those idiots and be like "we don't want you here". Deal with it.

Skibz777 (January 14, 2013)

Somebody in the original thread put it succinctly: "NEWS: Christian believes in Christian thing". It's unarguable that the majority of Christian bands share the same sentiments as For Today, but it's just something that we never think about until some band mentions it and then we start branding them as a hate group. Like you said, nothing in his statement was overtly hateful...even some factions of liberal Christians who support human rights still have a "love the sinner, hate the sin" mentality towards homosexuality. It's merely a statement of belief, not an illegal hate crime.

And even still, so what? So what if a member of some band makes a comment like that? Don't support their music. Don't give them the publicity. Let them play among their small group of fans and don't pay them any more attention; like twisttheknife says, there will always be people who have these opinions. The best you can do is just ignore them.

ExtraCheesePizza (January 14, 2013)

So because people have opinions that I are hateful, ignorant and potentially dangerous, I should not only be ok with it, I should respect them? I absolutely cannot follow that line of thinking, and find it morally wrong.

Skibz777 (January 14, 2013)

You don't have to respect THEM, only their right to say it.

I've been told before to my face by well-meaning Christians that homosexuality is a sin, but what am I supposed to do? Prevent them from speaking? Force them to adopt my own view? Hit them? Are they harassing me or burning an effigy on my lawn? They're merely stating their belief. If I'm free to wear my "Promote Homosexuality" t-shirt in public, then they should be free (if a bit rude) to tell me they object...it's the same freedom I'd have to state my own objections before someone holding a "God Hates F*gs" sign in public. I just don't believe in that kind of double-standard. Neither side should receive special treatment.

ExtraCheesePizza (January 14, 2013)

I have nothing against free speech at all. If anything, I've been trying to say the opposite. I know a simple conversation will never change someone's deep-seated beliefs, but absolutely no dialogue about it will never change anything.

twistheknife (January 14, 2013)

Not what I said at all, simply stating that if people think its so bad that this guy posted his beliefs like that online, being "hateful" and "intolerant" (which I still fail to see how it was anything more than just a firm opinion on what he thinks a true christian is), then those same people shouldnt be doing the same thing towards them. That wont get you respect either.

ExtraCheesePizza (January 14, 2013)

So someone says that homosexuality is a sin, and that there is no such thing as gay Christians, and you can't possibly conceive how that's intolerant and hateful? Are you going to respect my belief that that's idiotic and small-minded?

twistheknife (January 14, 2013)

I dont claim to know a whole lot about all christian beliefs, but I do know that under their belief system, homosexuality is a sin. He wasnt just making that up himself. He firmly believes that if you are gay christian, youre going against what you believe in. With an openmind to the bigger picture of their beliefs, that makes sense. No matter if we agree with him or not, hes stood his ground because he has just as much of a right to that opinion as anyone else does to being gay. and THATS what i respect.

and yes, i do respect your belief that those beliefs are idiotic and small minded, because I agree with you. But i dont agree with being a hypocrit and spreading more hate, in the name of trying to end hate.

Skibz777 (January 14, 2013)

Um...I know you weren't responding to me, but *I* could also offer an opinion...I mean, I AM a gay Christian(-ish) guy, I...I might have a thing or two to say, but...you know, it doesn't matter, I just thought...um...never mind.

I don't really see how his comment is hateful. Intolerant, sure, but like twisttheknife says, it's not HIS opinion, it's his entire religion's. Arguing with him over his interpretation of the Scriptures and the status of homosexuality being a sin would be arguing with the millions and millions of people who believe the same thing, including, as I said, the many Christian bands/people who aren't vocal on the matter and the many pro-equal rights churches who have a "hate the sin, love the sinner" view on homosexuality (Anglicans, Methodists, etc.).

I don't know if I quite *respect* him for it, but I certainly understand it and tolerate it.

ALL gay Christians are aware of their seemingly paradoxical existence, so it's certainly not offensive to hear someone more theologically conservative to debate their nature. I fail to see the "hate" behind his comment unless he was actively promoting discrimination or violence, which he wasn't. Yes, I guess he was saying that people need to realize homosexuality has no place within a church, but at the end of the day, he's just a guy saying some words on the internet. Some people will agree with him, many will not. Until he starts showing up at LGBT-friendly churches to start throwing rocks through the windows, I don't see why I should get worked up about it.

twistheknife (January 14, 2013)

Meant nothing bad towards those who are gay and christian, just throwing it out there that with the more strict christians, there view of that makes sense to me. Doesnt mean I agree with it, I had no bad intentions when saying that. Sorry if there was any confusion.

Misanthropee (January 14, 2013)

There IS no such thing as a Christian who self-identifies as gay. Think about it. From a Christian perspective, buggery isn't a part of nature, but rather an act of sin brought about by temptation. If you self-identify as gay, you self-identify as CONSCIOUSLY going against God's will as part of your "lifestyle." You have decided to live a life of sin. You weren't born gay (unless you're a REALLY strict Calvinist). You are someone who has turned their back on God and chosen a life of sin. You can be a gay Christian and NOT self-identify as gay, and every time you engage in buggery, instead of doing what comes natural, you're just "sinning."

Like, you can be a Christian and occasionally lie or cheat or steal, but you recognize that as sin and Jesus already took care of that shit so you're good. But self-identifying as gay is a very different story. You are making a sinful act part of your identity and implicitly stating it's NOT something to repent for, and acknowledging that you will spend your life going against the will of God without any attempt to change or even repent. You are giving God the finger and saying you know better. Not very Christian.

Skibz777 (January 14, 2013)

Assuming, of course, that all homosexuals are sex-crazed lunatics who regularly (and only) engage in anal play.

marcjbannes (January 15, 2013)

theres a major difference between respecting someone's right to believe in whatever they want/express their opinion and tolerating completely absurd beliefs and their repercussions in your community. Understanding that people are capable of imagining a vengeful sky man who is very concerned with your genitals is reasonable, but why should these views be allowed to pass as anything but completely insane? You say that there will always be people who will agree with this nonsensical standpoint, but why? Will there always be people who think slavery is cool? Why not make the point that people should do whatever makes them happy and any religion that says otherwise is fucking stupid?

hayman (January 14, 2013)

No.

skolarx (January 14, 2013)

I love any thread on here where Skibz is a voice of reason.

I agree with what you're saying here as well, it's not like the dude was preaching violence towards gays or anything like that, just speaking out his (addmittedly rather stupid) thoughts on the subject.

Misanthropee (January 14, 2013)

Your argument would only have weight if he was going Full Retard like Westboro Baptist. He was expressing a sentiment common to Abrahamists, but I'm guessing he also ignores 95 percent of the rest of the Bible and is just harping on this because either A) his father touched his butthole or B) it helps distract him from the uncomfortable fact that he craves dick. I only "respect" crazy Christians if their batshit has intellectual consistency. What he's saying jibes with Christian doctrine and scripture, but it's just a coincidence.

jimmynorville (January 14, 2013)

Arguing for the tolerance of intolerance is both very stupid and played out.

hayman (January 14, 2013)

It's intolerable even. Haha.

Skibz777 (January 14, 2013)

The word "intolerance" suggests a lot of things. I won't claim to know how Mr. Reynolds practices his religion, but different Christians approach homosexuality in different ways. For every person that uses religion as a basis to assault gays or picket gay events, there's one that merely acknowledges that not everyone lives by The Bible and treats everyone equally. Does Mr. Reynolds donate money to anti-gay groups? Does he prevent gay people from attending his shows? Does he even play songs with anti-gay lyrics? Or is homosexuality just one of many things he considers immoral, along with two people living together prior to marriage?

I'm not defending him, per se...for all I know, he could be a raging gay-basher, but I don't find it fair to fault him if he happens to have that aforementioned perspective of sin. It sounds weird, but just because someone may find something sinful doesn't always mean they actively hate it.

chadreligion (January 14, 2013)

Someone should listen to Bad Religion's "DO WHAT YOU WANT"

mahalfy (January 14, 2013)

A band using another band's bad press to hype a mediocre song with mediocre lyrics.......yawn.

davebrave4 (January 14, 2013)

this

skolarx (January 14, 2013)

I saw somewhere that the guitar player from that band quit and they put out an "I'm sorry" statement.

davebrave4 (January 14, 2013)

I would like to see that.

also im not homosexual

hayman (January 14, 2013)

It's on the bands facebook page, I thought it was a pretty big move putting his own phone number out there.