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

[lyeag]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/21/AR2005052100352.html


Parents are suing a school because their daughter was banned from an evening talent show because she wanted to sing a religious song. What do you think?

I think she should be allowed to sing it. I just saw on Hannity and Colmes a few nights ago a high school talent show with a number from the musical Chicago with teenage girls dressed like strippers with fishnet stockings and garters. A few parents complained because young children were there and told it was perfectly fine for the girls to perform in costumes like that. The show had a tape of the girls dancing in a very suggestive manner. If that is allowed, I can't see any reason not to allow a little kid to sing a song she learned from church.

 

[bananiem]

I'm going to assume that the school board was trying to cover their *****. Although I would not have been offended, my children go to a school with the majority of children being Christian. Perhaps this school has a high percentage of a particular religion(s) that would have been offended by the song. I guess I find it interesting that after all the "seperation of church and school" crap, people are still trying to push the envelope. If the parents felt that strongly about their religion they should have sent their daughter to a private, religiously-affiliated school. Just have her sing a different song, for Pete's sake!

 

[peachgirl]

The kid is 8 years old, I seriously doubt she's the one who is really pushing to sing this particular song. It's the parents and they're trying to push the envelope.

They should stop using their child as a way to push their agenda. Have her sing a song that is not religious in nature, it's a talent show not a revival.

 

[MsLeFever]

I agree Peachgirl! And the lawyer implying that the Shakespeare scene somehow also had a "religious" message is just a hoot!

 

[Charade]

The kid is 8 years old, I seriously doubt she's the one who is really pushing to sing this particular song. It's the parents and they're trying to push the envelope.

You know this, how?

And really, so what if they are?

You don't think that

"They've got a scene about boiling animals and witchcraft..."

is anything less?

They should stop using their child as a way to push their agenda. Have her sing a song that is not religious in nature, it's a talent show not a revival.

Again, you know this how?

Oddly, lots and lots of kids like to sing religous songs.

One can be a talented singer and still sing a religous song.

 

[Charade]

I agree Peachgirl! And the lawyer implying that the Shakespeare scene somehow also had a "religious" message is just a hoot!

I didn't get that correlation. I took it that he was just comparing allowing one type of controversial (ah... I forgot, Shakespeare is a CLASSIC! so it's allowed) subject versus not allowing another.

 

[peachgirl]

You know this, how?

I have special powers.

And really, so what if they are?

Attention from the media.

You don't think that

Quote:
"They've got a scene about boiling animals and witchcraft..."


is anything less?

Yes, I think it's anything less.

Oddly, lots and lots of kids like to sing religous songs.

Really? I guess that explains why I sang them when I was a child and still do. I always wondered about that. So great, let them do it when they aren't in a public school setting.

One can be a talented singer and still sing a religous song.

What does whether she's talented or not have to do with anything?

 

[jenndisney]

My daughter sings at church and those are the songs she knows. Does that mean I am pushing an agenda? I do not think so. At 8 years old, the child can tell songs they like and do not like to sing.

We have created this environment today that makes everyone afraid to offend anyone. If you do not like something, do not take part, but do not tell me I can not.

This kind of story really makes me mad. It is a school. What are we teaching our children. Don't say or do anything because someone may not like it. Next we will be wearing uniforms so someone does not wear nicer clothes than their neighbors. We will all drive the same car, and paint our homes the same color.

Diversity is a great thing. We need to embrase it, not push it away. I wish my daughter went to a school that had more diversity, but out here in western Kansas, we are mainly white or hispanic, mainly christian. But she has been taught to respect someone who is different. That is what we need to be doing.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

NO, it shouldn't be banned.

Parents need to really get a life. Their kids are going to run into Christians all throughout their life. GET OVER YOURSELVES. This is nothing but promoting intolerance.

 

[robinb]

If this is the song she wanted to sing ...

Awesome God - Rich Mullins (Songs)

When He rolls up His sleeves
He ain't just putting on the ritz
Our God is an awesome God
There is thunder in His footsteps
And lightning in His fists
Our God is an awesome God
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 close
And so you better be believing that
Our God is an awesome God

Chorus:
Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from Heaven above
With wisdom power and love
Our God is an awesome God

And when the sky was starless
In the void of the night
Our God is an awesome God
He spoke into the darkness
And created the light
Our God is an awesome God
Judgment and wrath
He poured out on Sodom
Mercy and grace He gave us at the cross
I hope that we have not
Too quickly forgotten that
Our God is an awesome God

... then you bet I would have a problem with it being sung in a public school. There are places for such music. Church, for a start.

 

[chadfromdallas]

If this is the song she wanted to sing ...



... then you bet I would have a problem with it being sung in a public school. There are places for such music. Church, for a start.

 

[peachgirl]

This is nothing but promoting intolerance.

Then you wouldn't have any objections to allowing a student to do a reading from the Koran for their performance?

At 8 years old, the child can tell songs they like and do not like to sing.

I'm sure they can, and I'm also quite sure that a child who enjoys singing enough to stand on stage at a talent show knows and likes other songs besides religious ones.

 

[Charade]

I have special powers.

How much do you charge?

Attention from the media.

And this is a bad thing if someone feels their rights have been violated? I thought you guys were all for getting as much press as possible?

Really? I guess that explains why I sang them when I was a child and still do. I always wondered about that. So great, let them do it when they aren't in a public school setting.

Yes, really. Good that you do because I was wondering if you had some aversion to anything religious.

And just what would be the problem with her singing a song *she* (or even her parents) likes even if it is a religious song? She's not preaching or trying to convert anyone. Like you said, it's a talent contest.

I suppose you would object to someone playing religious music on their boombox (but not loudly) on the steps of the courthouse or at a public park.

It should be clear that there is a powerful effort to suppress any public expression of religion.

What's next?

 

[Charade]

If this is the song she wanted to sing ...



... then you bet I would have a problem with it being sung in a public school. There are places for such music. Church, for a start.

Why? Is what I don't understand. How does this violate (not in the Constitution) "separation of church and state"?

It's a song that has special meaning to her and only certain other people. I don't listen to religious songs but I can tell if someone has a talent for singing regardless of the content.

 

[Charade]

If this is the song she wanted to sing ...



... then you bet I would have a problem with it being sung in a public school. There are places for such music. Church, for a start.

Would it be ok on a t-shirt worn at school?

 

[peachgirl]

How much do you charge?

Some things you just can't put a price on.

Yes, really. Good that you do because I was wondering if you had some aversion to anything religious.

I'm glad I put your mind at ease.

And just what would be the problem with her singing a song *she* (or even her parents) likes even if it is a religious song? She's not preaching or trying to convert anyone.

She doesn't have to be attempting to convert anyone. Public School or any events at a Public School are not the appropriate place for religion...there's this little law we have...

It should be clear that there is a powerful effort to suppress any public expression of religion.

Only in public institutions that are funded by the government. It's not an effort, it's a law.

 

[CEDmom]

This issue was discussed on a radio talk show a few days ago. When I first heard it I thought the parents really dropped the ball by not telling their DD she couldn't sing that song at a public school show. It's not a new thing that religion in any form is not part of a public school education. I honestly didn't think about the fact that her parents might be pushing some agenda but I can see where that's probably the case. I do know the family claims they don't want publicity about this situation - then why create one?

I don't think she should sing that song and I also don't think other 3rd graders should be doing anything not G rated.

 

[Charade]

She doesn't have to be attempting to convert anyone. Public School or any events at a Public School are not the appropriate place for religion...there's this little law we have...

Yes, it's called the first amendment. Her right to free speech and freedom of religion is being suppressed BY the government. That is what's happening here.

Only in public institutions that are funded by the government. It's not an effort, it's a law.

No it's not. In all cases that is. But this is the effort I mentioned in my previous post. The attempt to restrict the INDIVIDUAL right to freedom OF religion.

The student is NOT a representative of the government so no matter how hard you try, they don't have to abide by the same rules as the government themselves when it comes to playing favorites or promoting religion.

 

[ead79]

I think that she should be allowed to sing the song. Similarly, I think that if a student of another faith wanted to sing a religous song of their particular religion, then he/she should be allowed to as well. It's one thing for a school to "promote" one religion over another, but it's another to allow each student the right to express his/her own faith. I don't believe in forcing people to express beliefs that aren't their own (like mandating that people pray to God in school), but I vehemently disagree with the desire to squelch any mention of God in public schools. If a student is the one organizing/singing/etc. then it is well within their right to do so. The student does not have to hide their faith, no matter their beliefs.

 

[chadfromdallas]

Yes, it's called the first amendment. Her right to free speech and freedom of religion is being suppressed BY the government. That is what's happening here.

Its not rare in a school setting for this to happen. I think there is a thread somewhere on here where some high school kids had the same thing happen to them.