Yours is truly a voice of reason.
I wholeheartedly agree with your post.
Thanks for the respect.

If hearing a song that might be Christian makes you feel threatened that your children will become Christian..well…
You would always have the option of not having your children participate. That would be reasonable.
But the way you have worded your responses makes it appear as though your insecurities are showing.

Exactly. I am not saying that, in a certain situation, a public school could not go too far. I would object, for example, if after the pledge, my kid was forced to recite the Apostle’s Creed every day.

But there is a whole ocean between that hypothetical and a school choir singing the Battle Hymn, which has cultural relevance independent of its religious significance. Oh and it is a real pretty tune too.

lgm, I know religion is a particularly touchy subject, but its kind of like objecting to your kids reading Kerouac in school because you are afraid they will come home a beatnik.

I didn’t “freak out”, but explained people’s (mine and others’) cultural sensitivities, on the off chance you wanted to respect them.

So, your definition of “respecting” your sensitivies is for me – and my children – deny our faith. Got it.

The threat is that my kids would become Christian, which would thrill me as much as much as your kids’ becoming Muslim would thrill you.

Really? You really believe that? There’s so much wrong with that statement I can’t even begin to dissect it – starting with the fundamental differences between Christianity and Islam. I think this comment shows your true sentiments – it’s CHRISTIANITY and not “religion” that you have the problem with.

If you have so little confidence in your belief system that you think a song in school could cause your child to convert, that’s a problem you need to work out.

Me? I’m very confident that the way I raise my children – and how I teach them and explain the faith – will give them a stronger character and conviction. Just as I’m confident that if I happen across a menorah, or the labryinth thing going on at my workplace today, that I won’t go…”Gee, I think that one little thing leads me to convert.” My beliefs are rock-solid.

It’s not fool proof, but at least I won’t spend my days worrying a song will lead them away from their religion.

Perhaps you might consider the off chance that you might want to respect those that do not share your beliefs as well. That would be a starting point. As for “cultural sensitivities” perhaps we are becoming a culture that is way too sensitive…brissling at the slightest mention of God.
Its this statement that makes me kinda go hmmmmmmm….
“The threat is that my kids would become Christian, which would thrill me as much as much as your kids’ becoming Muslim would thrill you.”
If hearing a song that might be Christian makes you feel threatened that your children will become Christian..well…
You would always have the option of not having your children participate. That would be reasonable.
But the way you have worded your responses makes it appear as though your insecurities are showing.

OTAY!

I will give you your definition of sect because it can be true. It can also be an insult and I choose to believe by your posts, it was an insult.

One question:

Don’t you EVER get tired of coming off as an id10t?

I don’t understand why people freak out when they see or hear anything having to do with Christianity. Why is it so threatening to you?

Having the class sing the Battle Hymn at a school assembly is not “anything having to do with..”. I didn’t “freak out”, but explained people’s (mine and others’) cultural sensitivities, on the off chance you wanted to respect them. The threat is that my kids would become Christian, which would thrill me as much as much as your kids’ becoming Muslim would thrill you.

On-my-soap-box said (#39):

…there is not a single Christian who would be offended by this song…

Go to Wisconsin and talk to the senior citizens. I have talked to many who are. I don’t remember whether it was the Methodists or the Baptists or the Calvinists or the Episcipalians. Calling them “sects” is not an insult, but a statement that they share many but not all beliefs.

Great post! You and I are polar on the issue of GOD but, I appreciate your beliefs and I really appreciate how you feel.

Thank you for being sensible. I hope that doens’t sound condescending, but if that vocal minority followed your example things like this wouldn’t be an issue.

I am an atheist. And I have absolutely zero issue with the “Battle Hymn” being sung, nor with traditional Christmas songs, etc… As has been said, context is vital. Not every mention of God in our classrooms is some malicious attempt to indoctrinate our youth.

It would be very sad, and a disservice to our children’s education to eradicate anything that speaks of God from our schools. Atheist or not, many of our greatest works of art have been inspired by a belief in God. Should children not be taught Handel’s Messiah in Music class or study the Sistine Chapel in Art History or read Dante? Or should we teach these thing, but refuse to acknowledge the inspiration? Can, for example, the abolition movement in the US be properly discussed without acknowledging the significant, if not primary, role evangelicals had in it?

This issue of getting up in arms at every whisper of “God” in the hallowed halls of public schools is one area where some on the left really need to shut up. It makes them look foolish and petty. I do believe it is a small, but vocal minority, even among liberals. But those on the left that have a reasonable view of such things should do more to discourage such reactionism.