The FFRF Action is pleased to name musician Jack White its “Secularist of the Week” for his response to traditional country artist Charley Crockett’s decision to remove a doo-wop duo from opening gigs because of their Satanic imagery.
White commented, “I’m not scared of Satan or any bullshit imagery man made up to live in fear of.”
Twin Temple, a husband-and-wife duo comprised of Alexandra and Zachary James, was set to open two shows for Crockett this week, but, according to a statement on the duo’s social media, they were dropped because of their Satanic content. “We are sorry to everyone who was planning to see us,” the statement reads. “We’re grateful for your support, not only of Twin Temple, but more importantly of artistic freedom. HAIL SATAN!”
The duo has songs styled like ‘60s doo-wop, including “Lucifer, My Love,” “Satan’s a Woman” and “Burn Your Bible.” (When Rolling Stone asked the duo if they are really Satanists, Alexandra James said: “Hell yeah! To us, Satan is a metaphor for exploring all of these things in our art. It’s the images that have always resonated with us. For me, growing up a mixed-race woman, first-generation in America, I’ve always felt a little bit like an outsider. And Satan’s the original outlaw, right?”)
White, the former frontman of The White Stripes, took notice of the move and decided to spotlight the satanic duo. On his Instagram, White posted a photo of the two, and wrote, “Twin Temple, would you like to open my show in L.A. on September 29th at the Hollywood Palladium? Let me know. Get in front of me Satan!” (White references “Get Behind Me Satan,” a 2005 album from The White Stripes.)
In response, a commentator posed a question on White’s post, “I’m genuinely curious: as a practicing Catholic, how do you see promoting a band associated with satanic imagery fitting with your faith? It seems at odds with the values Catholicism teaches.”
White candidly responded that he has “never claimed” to be Catholic or Christian: “Commune with god on your own terms and communicate with god and find your own path, not some path somebody made up to make you afraid and make money off of you,” White wrote.
Twin Temple appeared delighted, posting, “Unholy hell…. Sir Jack, you have no idea what this means to us. …It would be a most infernal pleasure to play the devils music with you.”
White’s latest solo album, “Frozen Charlotte,” was released on July 10, the same day he kicked off his North American tour. FFRF Action Fund thanks White for signaling his support for the duo’s artistic freedom to use “Satan” in their music and messaging metaphorically. Those who are religiously unaffiliated no more believe in devils than deities, yet have long been stereotyped or vilified as Satanists and “devil worshippers.” Despite such mischaracterization of nonreligious people, the FFRF Action Fund wholeheartedly supports the right of Satanists to express their beliefs and values through art and other avenues.
FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues.