Should a religious song be banned from a school talent show?

[EsmeraldaX]

But isn't it a shame then, that these supposedly Christian parents would put their young child in that sort of a situation to make a political statement...says a lot about the parents, the legal group, and their beliefs doesn't it?

I can't imagine anyone "using" their child in this manner. "Family Values?"

Chuck, I usually agree with you but...while I see your point, I think you're reaching. This is about a young kid, singing a song she likes in front of her class. By your argument, one could then argue that any song that even has the slightest mention of God (many, many pop songs, pretty much any gospel or country song, and probably a lot of showtunes) should be not allowed in a talent show anywhere because a judge who has a belief in said God might be skewed to vote for that person for the prize.

As stated before, I am not religious. The closest religion I follow is Wicca and even that I'm not 100% all for. This does not bother me in the least. I think the kids right to sing a G rated song in her talent show at school is more important than the tiny little chance that some kid in the audience might possibly not be tolerant enough of her beliefs that they get all up in a fit because the mention of God makes them queasy.

I'd feel the same way if a kid was singing any song from any religion, or if they were singing a love song and dedicating it to their gay partner or if they were doing anything that was not a clear and direct attack on another student. If the kid was singing My God is Awesome and Your God Sucks then I'd have a problem with it. But it doesn't sound like that's the case.

 

[rcyannacci]

I just find it funny, that only the religious right has this type of motivation in the minds of those who oppose it....

Again, speaking in such absolutes gives the impression that the Christian way of life is under attack by anyone who dares question the politics of the religious right.

 

[Charade]

I also wanted to say that I agree with Chuck about the unlikelihood of the family instigating this action on their own. The religious right seems to be going out of their way to find any local incident that forwards their crusade and the impression that their way of life is under attack. They are the one's bringing incidents like this out of obscurity and into national prominence to promote their agenda. And by engaging in these debates, liberals are falling into their trap and being distracted from more pressing issues of governance.

"out of their way"? "crusade"? "trap"????

Since when does defending one's rights (or even perceived rights) fall in to the "out of their way" or "crusade" category?

Why doesn't violating one's first amendment rights rise to the level of "more pressing issues of governance"?


Passing a law in California that forces businesses to allow cross-dressing, gender confused individuals the right to wear a dress to work fits into what category?

 

[Chuck S]

Passing a law in California that forces businesses to allow cross-dressing, gender confused individuals the right to wear a dress to work fits into what category?

Actually, I think that falls under medical need since reputable doctors require transgendered people to live as their post-surgical sex for one full year prior to the actual surgery.

 

[momof2inPA]

What? Please show me where I mentioned those threads, or even POSTED to them...I did not.

So, you don't support the gay newspaper students fighting their principal's decision?

 

[Chuck S]

So, you don't support the gay newspaper students fighting their principal's decision?

Actually, I see a difference between an interview of students about the problems/hardships they may face in school because they are different and someone singing that...

There is thunder in his footsteps and lightning in his fists...
And the Lord wasn't joking when He kicked 'em out of Eden
It wasn't for no reason that He shed his blood
His return is very soon and so you'd better be believin'

Just as there is a difference in tone and meaning between "How Great Thou Art" and "Onward Christian Soldiers"

To clarify, though, I understand the students frustration at not being able to run the article...but it was the principal's decision to make, and they should have abided by that decison without involving the court system, unless there were other circumstances (like an allowed anti-gay article).

 

[Galahad]

Just as there is a difference in tone and meaning between "How Great Thou Art" and "Onward Christian Soldiers"

FWIW, I'm not big into old time revival hymn, but Onward Christian Soldiers is not a hymn about marching out converting people or crusade-like (though I can understand how it's title could lead you to believe that).

 

[Chuck S]

It is not only the Title, it refers to a "moral battle"

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!
At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

 

[dcentity2000]

It is not only the Title, it refers to a "moral battle"

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!
At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

I love that hymn! On-ward Chris-tian sooool-diers, marching as to waaaaaar!

Does this not come under freedom of speach in the USA?



Rich::

 

[Galahad]

It is not only the Title, it refers to a "moral battle"

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!
At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

What about that says go out and convert the heathen? It does not. The "foe" is abstract - "sin". It is not a "war" song.

 

[chobie]

My DH is a public high school music teacher, so I've sat through scores of concerts and talent shows over the last 11 years. Students have always been able to sing religious songs at the talent shows without any censoring. One time this girl even sang a song ,written by her mother, about being anti-abortion. I think it was called " Every baby deserves to live" or something like that. While I found it amusing, not to mention just plain awful sounding, I was not offended. Its my opinion that at an after school event where the students are not being coached or led by school staff, should be able to sing religious songs.

I think the principal made the wrong decision in this case and I also think that the principal in the thread about the school newspaper and the story about gay students made the wrong decision as well.

I think the principal in this case was going overboard in CYA. I also think the parents are trying to use this for political and religious grandstanding.

 

[dcentity2000]

To me the hymn is a war ditty against the devil and all things evil?



Rich::

 

[Galahad]

To me the hymn is a war ditty against the devil and all things evil?



Rich::

Right. Sorry for the diversion.

 

[stevenpensacola]

"Should a religious song be banned from a school talent show?"

Heck yea, them kids need to be hearing songs about sex, drugs, and rock and roll!

No the song should NOT be banned.

It still amazes me when people try to keep the Ten Commandments from being posted somewhere:

Don't steal, don't lie, don't envy...what terrible concepts...our kids don't need to be hearing junk like that...

 

[Chuck S]

What about that says go out and convert the heathen? It does not. The "foe" is abstract - "sin". It is not a "war" song.

To me the hymn is a war ditty against the devil and all things evil?

You're both right, and you're both wrong. Just as the Bible is abstract, but a lot of Christians believe everything in it is literal, there are those who would believe that this song calls upon Christians to literally wage a moral war against sin and sinners (of course, we are all sinners, but that logic would escape them). And their belief system is just as valid as anyone elses.

My point was, How Great Thou Art has a tone of the beauty and greatness of the Almighty. Onward Christian Soldiers (as well as Awesome God) contains a lot of lyrics about His power and wrath.

Actually, I find the entire idea of public school "talent shows" to be a little odd. We never had them when I went to school (I went to school in SoCal and graduated HS in 1976), all we had were school choir recitals, band concerts, parades and half-time shows... and they fell under the guidance of their respective teachers/directors...so they were undoubtedly classified as "school functions". If there is no educational value (ie, no responsible instructor or classroom discussion) involved in a talent show, what is the value to the school district and why is it a school sactioned event? Couldn't it just as easily be held at a community theater or church?

 

[WDWHound]

What about that says go out and convert the heathen? It does not. The "foe" is abstract - "sin". It is not a "war" song.

IT'S NOT?!!!
AAACK!!!!
Sorry, I have to leave now. I have to catch the squad of Christian commandos that we sent out after singing that hymn and tell them "never mind".

 

[dcentity2000]

IT'S NOT?!!!
AAACK!!!!
Sorry, I have to leave now. I have to catch the squad of Christian commandos that we sent out after singing that hymn and tell them "never mind".

Rich::

 

[rcyannacci]

IT'S NOT?!!!
AAACK!!!!
Sorry, I have to leave now. I have to catch the squad of Christian commandos that we sent out after singing that hymn and tell them "never mind".

I just saw them...they're headed south on I-35 just past Parmer...if you hurry, you can catch them before the decks.

 

[Charade]

IT'S NOT?!!!
AAACK!!!!
Sorry, I have to leave now. I have to catch the squad of Christian commandos that we sent out after singing that hymn and tell them "never mind".

 

[totalia]

School has no business being involved in any way with Religion. Not even a song at a talent show. The ONLY time that is an exception is if the school is a religious school.

School is a place for learning FACTS. Religion, even a song, is not fact, it is faith and myth.