Winston Marshall, the banjo player of award-winning band Munford & Sons has said his faith was a big part behind his decision to leave the band.
In a recent interview with former NYTimes editor, Bari Weiss, Marshall said: "My faith has played a big part in this period of my life and actually the week before making the final decision, I was pretty much planted in my local Catholic Church around the corner from the house. It's a bloody big moment for me."
".... I was talking a lot to my mom and dad with whom I’m very close and I think who love me and understand me better than anyone and could understand the complexity of the situation. I was praying a hell of a lot," he continued.
“If I can quote the great American theologian of all time, Kanye West, he said, ‘Fear God and you will fear nothing else,’” Marshall laughed. “And I love that because for me, I do fear God. And I think it’s true. That if you fear God sincerely, then you won’t fear worldly issues, worldly problems.”
The 33-year-old made the announcement last month after he sparked controversy for expressing his admiration for a right-wing author. He then deleted the tweet, apologised and agreed to take “a step back” in the band to examine any “blind spots”.
However, the criticism continued and as a consequence, he decided to leave the band to avoid any damage to his bandmates.
“For me to speak about what I’ve learnt to be such a controversial issue will inevitably bring my bandmates more trouble. My love, loyalty and accountability to them cannot permit that. I could remain and continue to self-censor but it will erode my sense of integrity. Gnaw my conscience. I’ve already felt that beginning,” Marshall said in his leaving statement.
He went onto to say that he will continue to work with Hong Kong Link Up and that w is looking forward to “new creative projects as well as speaking and writing on a variety of issues, challenging as they may be.
