Art and Music and Nothing Else

Raf, as most of you know, is my husband and a musician and photographer. He belongs to several guitar and photo graphic groups, and one music group in particular, rmmga, have face-to-face meetings from time-to-time. We have made some delightful friends at these events...life long friends, more like family. And it is my understanding that these events are for music only...no politics, no religion! We understand that we may disagree, but for the day or the weekend, we choose not to discuss our disagreements, but, rather, to enjoy music.

Recently, via Facebook, which, as blog-land, is an open forum for opinion, several of these musicians could not suppress their liberality, and left comments on statements one of us had made, taking what we said as a personal affront....and adding an, "I won't be your friend, any more."

I am an artist and am on several groups, some of which also have met face-to-face, and I have enjoyed these encounters immensely, but when, on Facebook, I made a statement of personal Christian belief, I was told by once artist friend, something to the effect that if I really felt what I say, she would just unfriend me...which she did.

My problem with all of this is that we are all going to disagree about something...even the closest friends and family, but I cannot understand the vehemence and anger that is expressed. It seems so immature...so schoolyard-like.

There are people we can influence, and there are people we cannot. Why can't we simply agree to disagree about certain things...and enjoy art and music for their sakes alone. I have my beliefs; you have yours. It doesn't make us bad people to disagree. It just makes us, well, human.

Hey, this is an open forum...what do you think?