Church Cancels Concert Over Band Name

[Sxydan]

I don't post here often, as you may be able to tell from my post count, but I needed to get this to as many people as possible. I am sort of a "nephew" of sorts of WebmasterPetes, so I figured this would be a good place.

There is a charity around where I live known as the Sunshine Foundation. A concert was set to happen this friday at the St. Mary's Parish in Barnegat, NJ. The headlining band was a band known as "Divinity Destroyed", whom I undyingly support. This concert was going to be a fundraiser, where all of the money from admissions would go to the foundation. Two priests at this church saw the name of hte band, and before doing any research, cancelled the show because "they didn't what to hurt the image of the church".

Now to the name. The name "Divinity Destroyed" was coined from when Thomas Jefferson, who did not believe in the Divinity of Jesus, went into the bible, and removed several parts of it, renaming it "Jefferson's Bible". Hence the name, "Divinity Destroyed". EVERY member of this band underwent 12 years of catholic education, and a few of them are EXTREMELY religious.

The singer of the band, Mark Ward, went to speak with the two priests, and after a one hour conversation, where every concern was resolved, and stone turned, they said they would give an answer the next day. We soon found out that was just an excuse to get him out of there.

They called, and stated that the decision stood. This is so hypocrtical it is ridiculous. This show had been slated months in advance. How could a church turn their back on the youth that look up to them? How could they turn their backs on the youth that NEED this money? This is sickening if you ask me.

Today a story rolled on the front page of the Asbury Park Press, and it was picked up by basically every radio station in NJ. We want more. We will NOT let an atrocity such as this go unnoticed. A petition has been set up, and I am asking every one of you who disagrees with these actions to sign this. We want this to become nationwide.

Here is a link to the petition:

http://www.petitiononline.com/btaylor/petition.html

Please help us out, you may not like the music, but this is about more then the music. This is about the right to freedom of speech. This is about the right to be heard. More then anything, this is about the right to help out the youth that needs help.

 

[KristaTX]

I'm Christian though not Catholic, but doesn't the Catholic Church officially believe in the divinity of Jesus? If so, then I can see the priest's reasons for not wanting to have a band play whose name implies that it takes a stance which opposes a major part (if not THE major part) of the official Catholic faith.

Also, is the concert scheduled to be on church grounds? I don't think "freedom of speech" applies there exactly, does it? For instance, they wouldn't have to allow the KKK to speak on their property just because we have "freedom of speech" in the US. And as far as I can tell, Catholics have decided that their leaders (priests) get the final say on things within their individual churches (parishes?).

I'm not sure how the concert could have gotten this far along, though, without the priests taking up issue with the band's name and implied beliefs sooner. However, despite the good, charitable intentions of the concert, from the limited information I have seen it sounds like the priests are taking a stance because the band's name (and implied beliefs) go against something so integral to Catholicism.

Please consider the fact that probably everyone involved - concert planners, band, AND priests - has good intentions. The priests are probably not being "mean", but are hopefully just taking a stand on what they believe in and profess.

 

[Sxydan]

You are taking the name wrong. The name is pro God, not ANTI God. They were going against what Jefferson did, saying that it was DESTROYING Divinity by doing this. These band members are far from being against God.

 

[Beth76]

I'm very much against censorship, but the church can have whomever it wants or doesn't want to play on it's property. Why can't the band be replaced with a different one? Why can't the concert go on at a different venue? And what is the Sunshine Foundation?

 

[Sxydan]

It is a Charity for children with CP, and other diseases of that nature. The priests cancelled the whole show, a week before it was set to happen. They would not allow the band to just be removed, the whole show was done for. This show has been in the planning for months. This is another representation of people being close minded and ignorant. They would not take the time to understand, or listen. They denied members of their church help that they needed, simply because they would not listen, and they cared more about their "image" that has coincedentedly been more hurt by them cancelling this then letting it go on.


Some of the senior parishoners have refused to shake the hands of, or speak to these two priests. They all believe they are "child haters".

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I'm very much against censorship, but the church can have whomever it wants or doesn't want to play on it's property. Why can't the band be replaced with a different one? Why can't the concert go on at a different venue? And what is the Sunshine Foundation?

What she said....

I think that the priests heard what the name meant, but it still does not affect what the first thing some people THINK about when they hear the name.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Some of the senior parishoners have refused to shake the hands of, or speak to these two priests. They all believe they are "child haters".

__________________

Now this is just ridiculous and Shame on the people that think that.

 

[Sxydan]

So it is ok for these people to care more for their image then to help people in need? I thought the church was supposed to embrace the community, not push it away. The church is not a business. This is against EVERYTHING that the Catholic's are about. Whatever happened to embracing EVERYONE? Whatever happend to the teachings of the Bible? I could go into a million quotes that their decision goes against.

 

[Beth76]

The priests cancelled the whole show, a week before it was set to happen. They would not allow the band to just be removed, the whole show was done for. This show has been in the planning for months. This is another representation of people being close minded and ignorant.

I agree with your assessment, but it's still their church. It's unfortunate and I'm sorry for the loss to the charity. I hope something else can be arranged. Maybe it's time to consider a different church.

 

[Sxydan]

By the way, this show was pre-approved by the youth minister of the church. This was not something that they cancelled as it was proposed, this was something that they cancelled a week before it was meant to happen.

 

[Beth76]

Whatever happened to embracing EVERYONE? Whatever happend to the teachings of the Bible?

Sorry but I've never known the Catholic Church to embrace everyone. Not trying to start a debate about it. No of course it's not right what they are doing, but they still have the right to do it. You're right to be upset and it does suck, but there's nothing you can do about it. Instead of fighting the church perhaps you should try to reschedule the event. Again, not trying to be argumentative just giving a suggestion. Good luck to you!

 

[KristaTX]

Ah, okay. I thought from your initial post that the band took the name because they believe as you said Jefferson believed.

However this all turns out, I hope the girls planning the event find a way to hold their benefit for the Sunshine Foundation someplace, even if it is not at the church.

 

[Sxydan]

Sorry but I've never known the Catholic Church to embrace everyone. Not trying to start a debate about it. No of course it's not right what they are doing, but they still have the right to do it. You're right to be upset and it does suck, but there's nothing you can do about it. Instead of fighting the church perhaps you should try to reschedule the event. Again, not trying to be argumentative just giving a suggestion. Good luck to you!

Haha, it's ok. We have had several venues offer to host us. But I disagree where you say that there is nothing we can do about it. There is plenty we can do about it, and the first thing is to get our story heard. An incredible amount of people in NJ already do, and we are trying to move on to other states. We just simply want to be heard, and have everyone that agrees sign our petition.



Also, I strongly believe that it is about time the church starts to practice what they preach.

 

[Free4Life11]

I will sign the petition.

I would suggest asking parishioners to withold tithes and donate them to this charity. Also demand a church meeting, although I am not sure if the Catholic Church is democratic and has meetings like that.

I don't know how it works -- are priests the be all end all? Do parishioners have any say in decisions?

Shame on them for turning their back because of concerns about "their image." Just imagine if Jesus had been concerned about his image.

If anything it was the Pharisees who were concerned about their image...

I would speak with them and voice your concerns.

\

 

[disykat]

The name of a group IS important. It is the first, and for some, the only impression they will leave. Whether those priests don't "get" the name isn't the issue - the issue is whether they feel that name will negatively impact their church. Are you going to be able to explain the name to everyone who sees it?

I didn't "get" it until you explained it - I would wonder "why on earth does the church have a group by that name playing?" They have every right to to exclude that group and/or cancel the event as they see fit. Shutting down a controversial event isn't exactly a new phenomenon.

You won't like my viewpoint, but I'm sure the band knew when they chose their name that it would require some explaination. Otherwise they would have named themselves something positive that gave anyone who saw it an immediate vision of their beliefs - like "divinity survives" or "divinity proven".

This is probably why you don't see many Christian music groups out there with names like "Jesus died". While it might be true, the story didn't end there. The focus is on the uplifting part of the story.

I think your band probably has a great message, and great intent - but that doesn't change the fact that some will, at first glance, find the name offensive. I did. Frankly, I thought the name sounded disrespectful. IMO they might as well have named themselves "Christianity Destroyed" or "Your Belief Here" Destroyed". It is a very negative name, thus it has negative connotations.

 

[Sxydan]

"Blessed areYou when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. -Matthew 5-11

And a quote from Rev. Robin Smith who signed this -

It is no wonder that our children will have nothing to do with the church when such ill informed, image driven decisions are made with little regard to the impact of those decisions. This was an event which was inspired by a compassion rooted in the Gospel - and the CHURCH cancelled it!?!?!

I really did not want to call scripture into this, but this is against everything that they are for. Did Jesus care about his image? I think not.

I agree that they had every right to do this as a business, but as a church, it is appalling.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I think the church is within its authority, power, and teachings to cancel the band.

I'd like to know where the bible it says that the church must do as the laity commands.

They do not appreciate the name of the band--they feel the name has a bad connotation for what they believe of Jesus. Regardless of the sentiment behind it.

Jesus forgave--he did not endorse those who went against his beliefs (or appeared to go against his beliefs).

 

[jfulcer]

It is a Charity for children with CP, and other diseases of that nature. The priests cancelled the whole show, a week before it was set to happen. They would not allow the band to just be removed, the whole show was done for. This show has been in the planning for months. This is another representation of people being close minded and ignorant. They would not take the time to understand, or listen. They denied members of their church help that they needed, simply because they would not listen, and they cared more about their "image" that has coincedentedly been more hurt by them cancelling this then letting it go on.

Welcome to the Catholic church! (with apologies to the Catholics I've offended by saying this) At the parishes around here, you have to tithe to use their facilities - and quite a bit. I'd be interested in knowing if the church was charging you to use it's facilities.

Yes, it sucks. Yes, they are close minded. But I'd say that rather than investing your time and energy into trying to bring attention to their close minded-ness (which will not change if history proves to be right), you should try to find another venue. And I'd seriously be looking for another Christian church where sinners (and we all are) are welcome instead of turned away....

After all this heart-ache even if they did change their minds, would you have it there? I know what I would do given that other venues have volunteered.

 

[Sxydan]

I think the church is within its authority, power, and teachings to cancel the band.

I'd like to know where the bible it says that the church must do as the laity commands.

They do not appreciate the name of the band--they feel the name has a bad connotation for what they believe of Jesus. Regardless of the sentiment behind it.

Jesus forgave--he did not endorse those who went against his beliefs (or appeared to go against his beliefs).

So you think it is ok to cancel a benifit for sick children? I really think that is sick. I think it is disgusting that it is morally A-OK for a CHURCH to go ahead and nix a show because they are tied up in how they might look.

They are honestly making themselves look alot worse here by going against everything that they "believe" in.

If this was a regular concert hall, I wouldn't be upset. Neither would the thousands of others that are. I am upset because a church is not helping handicapped children who are suffering when it is fully within their power to do so. Whatever happened to helping the weak, the ill, the downtrodden? I thought christianity was about helping other people in their time of need? Is this what God would do? What this church is doing is about the most un-christian thing they could possibly do. They are completely cancelling, not booting one band, a BENIFIT CONCERT for sick CHILDREN.

There is a really fantastic idea St Mary's church. Deny the children that look to up you help in their time of need. Really respectable. All over a possible "bad image".

 

[Sxydan]

Welcome to the Catholic church! (with apologies to the Catholics I've offended by saying this) At the parishes around here, you have to tithe to use their facilities - and quite a bit. I'd be interested in knowing if the church was charging you to use it's facilities.

Yes, it sucks. Yes, they are close minded. But I'd say that rather than investing your time and energy into trying to bring attention to their close minded-ness (which will not change if history proves to be right), you should try to find another venue. And I'd seriously be looking for another Christian church where sinners (and we all are) are welcome instead of turned away....

After all this heart-ache even if they did change their minds, would you have it there? I know what I would do given that other venues have volunteered.

To answer your questions and statements, we are simply trying to make this disgrace known. This type of behavior is unnacceptable and we feel that it is our time to try to make a change. Will we succeed? Probably not. In fact, definately not. But not one person involved with this could bear to even try to sleep at night knowing that we did not at least try .