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

[Aidensmom]

So if she sang "Take me home Country Roads" the agenda would be to get everyone to move to West Virginia?

LOL. We have some very witty people on this thread! I have been reading through all my subscribed threads, and this is not the one I thought was going to give me such a good laugh.

 

[agnes!]

I have noticed (my DD is in 6th grade, sings in chorus, etc) that religious songs seem to be fine at school concerts, just so long as they are sung in a language other than English...Latin, Spanish, Hebrew (and so on).

By the way, do all children who audition for school talent shows in other areas of the US get to perform in front of the public? In our school system, kids have to audition & then not everyone gets in to the show, everyone *doesn't* get to perform in front of an audience.

Maybe the principal initally found it easier to say that the student couldn't perform the song because of (possibly) objectionable contect than saying that the girl was a terrible singer. Many other statements could also have been made about "Awesome God" to preclude it from being included in the show - maybe the song could have been too long(isn't there usually a time limit per performer?)...

agnes!

 

[Aidensmom]

Reaching? A song praising God for destroying Sodom isn't anti-gay? A publically funded school should endorse this? Are you so naive as to think if similar lyrics were sung about Christians there wouldn't be an uproar?

I also noticed you didn't answer this part:


Should they "expect" to hear a song about God's wrath upon them? Would it be appropriate?

If a similar song were sung about Christians, I would not be offended. I am secure in my faith. Someone else's opinion about it is not going to make me question my beliefs. I know who I am and what I stand for, and if you don't like it, you don't like it, that is your right. Incidentally, I hear things everyday that are opposed to what I believe. Turn on any Top 40 station on the radio. The songs may not directly say "I hate Christians" but many of them promote behaviors that as a Christian I do not find "appropriate."

 

[auntpolly]

Hey now! I agree with you! I was just expanding on what EsX said.

oops! Really sorry I misunderstood you!

 

[Chuck S]

But the question isn't about a radio where you can simply turn the station (heck, I don't listen to Pat Robertson, and it doesn't bother me that his program is available). Nor is it about being "secure", I am secure in the knowledge that I am a gay man, listening to that song isn't going to change me. The question is should people that go to a school function to watch a child from their family perform reasonably expect to hear a song praising God for destroying gay people, or an anti-Christian song, or any other religious/political song? It is NOT appropriate.

 

[Charade]

Reaching? A song praising God for destroying Sodom isn't anti-gay? A publically funded school should endorse this? Are you so naive as to think if similar lyrics were sung about Christians there wouldn't be an uproar?

I've read interpretations of the S&G story which speculate that it's possible that even though sodomy was one of the main reasons S&G were destroyed, it doesn't neccessarily mean that all of the men that did that were homosexuals.

It is also generally recognized that sodomy has been used as an act of subjugation by heterosexual males in many cultures for thousands of years. So this incident says nothing in support of the contention that the citizens of Sodom were largely homosexual.

Since the Bible contains other references to homosexuality being a sin, perhaps it should be banned (or burned) as well.

This is what a lot of Christians believe. Remember, love the sinner, hate the sin.

Regardless, many cities and munciplaties issue permits for pro-gay marches. They also issue permits to the KKK. Neither is an endoresment IMO by the government.

I also noticed you didn't answer this part:


Should they "expect" to hear a song about God's wrath upon them? Would it be appropriate?

Should they expect to hear a pro-gay song? Heck, their kid could sing one.

 

[Charade]

But the question isn't about a radio where you can simply turn the station (heck, I don't listen to Pat Robertson, and it doesn't bother me that his program is available). Nor is it about being "secure", I am secure in the knowledge that I am a gay man, listening to that song isn't going to change me. The question is should people that go to a school function to watch a child from their family perform reasonably expect to hear a song praising God for destroying gay people, or an anti-Christian song, or any other religious/political song? It is NOT appropriate.

It's NOT illegal.

Besides, they could leave if they were so offended by the content of a performer. ANY performer.

 

[Chuck S]

I've read interpretations of the S&G story which speculate that it's possible that even though sodomy was one of the main reasons S&G were destroyed, it doesn't neccessarily mean that all of the men that did that were homosexuals.

But it is widely believed by many Christians, isn't it?

Since the Bible contains other references to homosexuality being a sin, perhaps it should be banned (or burned) as well.

Honestly, no one is talking about banning the Bible or burning it, you certainly have the right to read what you please in the privacy of your own home or church. But it is a school function, not your home or church.

This is what a lot of Christians believe. Remember, love the sinner, hate the sin.

But everyone in the audience is not a Christian...this is held as a publically funded function. I would have no objection to your song if it were held in your church.

Regardless, many cities and munciplaties issue permits for pro-gay marches. They also issue permits to the KKK. Neither is an endoresment IMO by the government.

Again, they would also issue a permit for your church picnic in the park. It is still a privately funded function. The city is not funding the marches, are they?

Should they expect to hear a pro-gay song? Heck, their kid could sing one.

Nope, they should not EXPECT to hear a pro-gay song any more than they should hear an anti-gay song. It isn't a "rally" for Christ or a rally for gay people, it is a secular, publically funded talent show. Both would be inappropriate at this venue, wouldn't they?

 

[totalia]

Oh do stop being so ridiculous. Religion is something completely different from a work of fiction meant only for entertainment and all of you know it.

 

[Aidensmom]

The question is should people that go to a school function to watch a child from their family perform reasonably expect to hear a song praising God for destroying gay people, or an anti-Christian song, or any other religious/political song? It is NOT appropriate.

Just because you don't expect something doesn't make it inappropriate, illegal, or offending.

I have gay friends. They know my beliefs, and are still comfortable with me. A sin is a sin is a sin, and we all have sins, including Christians. Everyone on the face of this Earth sins everyday. God does not like sin, so it is going to be a topic in Christian songs. Christians realize that they are sinners (heck, recognizing that you are a sinner is a prerequisite to becoming one - you wouldn't need a savior if there was nothing to be saved from!) and we don't get offended by the fact that we are told sin is wrong. There a many, many people on this earth, with many varying beliefs and opinions. Everyone could find something to be offended about in what someone else says, so I guess the only safe thing to do is to ban all songs, books, speech, etc so that none of us get our panties in a wad. If you don't want that to happen, just get over the fact that not everyone is going to agree with you, just as not everyone is going to agree with me, and let people express their beliefs.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I'm a huge SoCaS supporter but I think this takes it waaaaay too far. Unless she's doing a sing-a-long, she's just expressing herself. What next? A child's faith not allowed in crayon drawings and essays, too? I want everyone to express themselves. I love to hear expressions of all people's faiths, as long as they aren't insisting on praying with them their way.

What? Are your ears so delicate they can't even bear to hear the words?

My thoughts exactly. I am very much for the SoCaS but I don't see how this is government sanctioned religion, letting a kid sing a song. Are people in the auditorium being required by law to convert to her religion? I must have missed that part somewhere. I always thought SoCaS was to prevent the gov from endorsing and mostly REQUIRING it's people to be a certain religion, much like the system our forefathers fled. Is that the case here?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

the mother and her lawyer were just on fox news
says how awful this and that they tried to gat an injunction but the courts refused
im but little olivia seems alittle young to ask mommmy to sue over over this
they say they are only suing now on "principle"
yeah then why are youon fox or any news channel
if its only principle why do you want publicity

 

[6_Time_Momma]

My thoughts exactly. I am very much for the SoCaS but I don't see how this is government sanctioned religion, letting a kid sing a song. Are people in the auditorium being required by law to convert to her religion? I must have missed that part somewhere. I always thought SoCaS was to prevent the gov from endorsing and mostly REQUIRING it's people to be a certain religion, much like the system our forefathers fled. Is that the case here?

That's what the intention of SoCaS was, but somehow/somewhere it's intent has been totally twisted into not allowing anything of any religious nature anywhere near any public building.

 

[Charade]

Looks like I coined a new acronym!

 

[frndshpcptn]

"I've been to many school "winter" concerts where the Christmas songs they sing are all Santa, Snowman, Rudolph, while there are religious Chanukah songs sang. I'm not offended by it, but I see a huge double standard."

Interesting enough - I think that to a Jewish kid the songs about Santa and Rudolph ARE religious Christmas songs. Santa and Rudolph are part of Christmas. Christmas is part of Christianity. To me, they were "Christian" songs - in elementary/middle school I didn't know about the more "religious" Christian music. I still sang them in chorus (early 80's), but I associated them with my non-Jewish friends and thier holiday.

What religious Hannukkah songs were sung? The dreidel song? Is that considered religious? Hannukkah isn't really a major holiday and most "religious" songs I know are either Hebrew prayers sung in temple or songs sung at Passover or Shabbos.