Video
Twitter
Facebook
RSS Feed
God and Country Don't Mix at School
A Florida judge has ordered an elementary school to keep a country song entitled "In God We Still Trust" out of a end-of-the-school-year assembly. Teachers and parents at the Webster School in St. Augustine also got a free lecture on the U.S. Constitution.
"The lyrics to the song take aim at one (of) our nation's fundamental principles: the separation of church and state," U.S. Dist. Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger wrote. "By encouraging students to sing 'there is no separation, we are one nation under Him,' the school is effectively endorsing a religious view that is contrary to well-established constitutional law . . . a specific viewpoint of preference for religious sectarianism . . . this song antagonizes and degrades those whose beliefs differ from the ones espoused by its lyrics."
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be constitutional scofflaws.
School officials said they had removed the Diamond Rio song from the year-end program even before the ruling, but the judge -- a George W. Bush appointee -- said he issued the order because the school was being pressured to put the song back in the program.
I'd say there's at least a 50-50 chance the song will be sung anyway during the program, not officially by the third-graders who were rehearsing it, but "spontaneously" by some parents who feel it is their God-given right and duty to express their personal religious beliefs whenever and wherever they please.
"This situation is exactly the kind of thing that 'In God We Still Trust' addresses," Diamond Rio wrote in a statement on their MySpace page. "The song is about the time-honored values on which our forefathers founded this country, acknowledging the sovereignty of God.
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=196637677&blogId=480091391
Actually, the forefathers spent a lot of time acknowledging the sovereignty of white, male property owners. But Diamond Rio fans seem to agree: "You keep right on singing that song! The problem with America is that we are not focusing enough on GOD!I pray that the court will see this and drop this nonsense," Oh...Oh Sheila!! commented on the site -- a sentiment expressed by all 67 commenters.
I'm as much a fan of country music as the next man from Tennessee, and I'd be in favor of turning Patsy Cline's birthday (September 8) into a national holida. But isn't there a more effective, appropriate and faithful way to instill love of God or country in our children?
The Diamond Rio song says, "From the Schoolhouse to the Courthouse, they're Silencing His Word. Now it's time for all Believers, to make our Voices heard." Two things my Mama taught me about faith: God cannot be silenced and believers make their "voices" heard all the time in countless ways, most often without saying (or singing) a word.
UPDATE: Attorneys who asked that "In God We Still Trust" be removed from the school's program have filed an amended petition asking that the school also remove the song "Chatter With Angels," an African-American spiritual that has been on the state's approved teaching list for 20 years. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
David Waters
| April 21, 2009; 1:23 PM ET | Category: Today's Topic Save & Share:
Previous: Teaching Religion (Still) OK in Okla. | Next: Miss California Controversy
Posted by: Chops2 | April 22, 2009 12:40 AM
Report Offensive Comment
I'd have to agree with Mr. Waters on this one. There are countless opportunities to reach people for Christ, so I'm not sure why we need to dig our heels in and fight this particular battle.
If the program was being denied the right to sing "God Bless America" or other similar song, then I think we might have a different story.
Rich blessings.
Posted by: globalone | April 22, 2009 7:44 AM
Report Offensive Comment
Oh my, what a witness. I'm sure all the nonbelievers subjected to the will of the "Christians" in defiance of the provision of their liberty (government) will just see the light and want to turn their lives over to Christ right there on the spot. I think it's Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest) says something to the effect that if you act in a way not in accordance with Christ's nature in an effort to "serve" Him according to your own will then you're bring shame not honor to your Lord.
Posted by: mammyyel | April 22, 2009 10:47 AM
Report Offensive Comment
oss ole
Posted by: INGOODFAITH | April 22, 2009 11:39 AM
Report Offensive Comment
"If the program was being denied the right to sing "God Bless America" or other similar song, then I think we might have a different story."
-------------------------------
Globalone,
Why would it then be a different story?
Posted by: Freestinker | April 22, 2009 2:06 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Good grief another religious bigot legislating from the bench. This is exactly what Bush didn't want when he selected this judge moron.
No Mr. Judge Idiot, it's not the school that needs an education of the Constititution, it is you bozo.
The Constitution makes no mention of the so-called fanstasy 'separation of church-state.' If it does, prove it.
Posted by: memyselfI1 | April 22, 2009 6:19 PM
Report Offensive Comment
"religious bigot... judge moron.....Judge Idiot....bozo"
Me,myself,I,1...Your screen name and your commentary indicates that you have no real understanding of your Lord or his message. This is why I choose NOT to be indoctinated by your ilk in a taxpayer funded, public setting.
Thanks for making my point.
Posted by: willandjansdad1 | April 23, 2009 7:27 AM
Report Offensive Comment
"I'd say there's at least a 50-50 chance the song will be sung anyway during the program....by some parents who feel it is their God-given right and duty to express their personal religious beliefs whenever and wherever they please."
So if I stand up and "spontaneously" sing a Satanic song during the program that would be OK? What do you say Christians?
Yep...That's free speech too but It's just as rude. I would be cramming my beliefs down your throat...
Let's agree to both be silent and enjoy the efforts of the children free of dogmaa. Isn't that what it's really about?
Posted by: willandjansdad1 | April 23, 2009 7:39 AM
Report Offensive Comment
"So if I stand up and "spontaneously" sing a Satanic song during the program that would be OK?"
---------------------------------
Which one did you have in mind? One of my favorites is "Satan Is My Motor Car" by Cake. I also like The Grateful Dead's "Friend of the Devil".
Posted by: Freestinker | April 23, 2009 12:30 PM
Report Offensive Comment
fr freestinker:
>Which one did you have in mind? One of my favorites is "Satan Is My Motor Car" by Cake. I also like The Grateful Dead's "Friend of the Devil".
How about "Devil with a blue dress on", or "the devil went down to Georgia!"?
Posted by: Alex511 | April 23, 2009 2:39 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Freestinker and Alex...
That's the "spirit"...I'd like Flip Wilson in drag hollerin' "The Devil made me do it"...Or we could sing "Crossroads" while selling our souls to Old Scratch.
Fellow Free Thinker and willandjansdad at your service.
Posted by: willandjansdad1 | April 23, 2009 3:00 PM
Report Offensive Comment
The comments to this entry are closed.
You live in a free society to practice whatever denomination of christianity u want for the precise reason that you live in a secular society. Deal with it.
The founding fathers left England cause they were forced to practice one religion. Exactly what these people now want. They fail to see the very basic irony that is their position.
Trust me, "gods" word is not being silenced in the states, its as strong as it is in the Middle East and to make it stronger or the basis for U.S. law, is to make the U.S. a nation of the same thing that you are supposed to be fighting against: religious extremists.