Goshen College Bans ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’

[Deberg_1990]

http://www.personalliberty.com/conse...-banner-25761/



The Board of Directors at Goshen College, a private, pacifistic liberal arts college in Indiana, asked President James E. Brenneman to find an alternative to playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at sporting events.

The Board concluded that playing the national anthem “compromised the ability of college constituents to advance the vision” of Goshen College, in which the institution strives “to be an influential leader in liberal arts education with a growing capacity to serve a theologically, politically, racially and ethnically diverse constituency both within and beyond the Mennonite church,” according to a press release.

The release stated: “Goshen College had not played ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ prior to sporting events, since beginning to participate in intercollegiate athletics in 1957, although it was never officially banned from campus.”

The decision to move forward with the ban was not without controversy, even among the Board members, the release reported.

“Goshen College has been and remains a ministry of Mennonite Church USA with an enduring peace tradition,” Carlos Romero, executive director of the Mennonite Education Agency and an ex-officio member of the Board said, according to the press release. “The Board’s decision reflects a belief that faith and honoring country can co-exist without disturbing higher allegiances to God.”

[|Zach|]

I think this whole thing is weird but it is funny the site in the OP didn't mention the whole story. But it doesn't really fit the whole "this college hates America" narrative it was trying to prop up.

http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-goshe...0,60444.column

A small northern Indiana college announced Wednesday that they will now play "America the Beautiful" instead of the national anthem at sporting events.

Goshen College stopped playing "The Star-Spangled Banner" after some students and alumnae said the song promoted war.

Goshen's president said "America the Beautiful" fits better with the Mennonite church-affiliated school's beliefs.

The use of "America the Beautiful" will begin this fall and the US flag will be present.

[Amnorix]

I don't really agree with the reasons for the change, but I think America the Beautiful is a much better song, and would be a better anthem, than the stupid Star-Spangled Banner, which is damn hard to remember or sing.

Seriously -- what percentage of Americans could recite the words from beginning to end, despite hearing it a hundred thousand times?

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

I don't really agree with the reasons for the change, but I think America the Beautiful is a much better song, and would be a better anthem, than the stupid Star-Spangled Banner, which is damn hard to remember or sing.

Seriously -- what percentage of Americans could recite the words from beginning to end, despite hearing it a hundred thousand times?

Yea, I agree with all of this. It is kind of a weird 'wtf' situation but replacing it with ATB is kinda cool.

I just get a kick out of this original article. Using the word "bans"

lol.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

I don't really agree with the reasons for the change, but I think America the Beautiful is a much better song, and would be a better anthem, than the stupid Star-Spangled Banner, which is damn hard to remember or sing.

Seriously -- what percentage of Americans could recite the words from beginning to end, despite hearing it a hundred thousand times?

Oh say can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight over the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming and the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave?

[Jenson71]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Oh say can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight over the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming and the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave?

You are not a true fan!

[mlyonsd]

Originally Posted by Jenson71

You are not a true fan!

He's not a true patriot if he ends it with a question.

[Jenson71]

BTW, I'm in great favor of replacing America, the Beautiful as the official anthem of the USA. Not because of war reasons, though, but because it's just a much more meaningful verse about humans sacrificing for ideals, and the country that stands the test of time, error, and injustice because of it.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Oh say can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight over the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming and the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave?

You and I both know that alot of mumbling tends to happen in the middle there after "whose broad stripes and bright stars" until "oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave".

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Oh say can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight over the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming and the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Yes, but do you know the 2nd, 3rd and 4th verses?




On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

http://www.usa-flag-site.org/song-ly...d-banner.shtml

[BucEyedPea]

No ever sings the other verses at events, so for me it's not an issue.

I prefer the "Star Spangled Banner" over "America the Beautiful," for a national anthem anyway. It's about our fledgling nation's
( as in national govt ) enduring during the War of 1812, which for me as like another War of Independence. In this case being able to remain independent. Many people and countries back then didn't think we'd last. So SSB has more meaning and relevance for me. It is a more rousing or uplifting song for a new nation's cause.

"America the Beautiful" is more about the land and the country than the nation itself. It's a beautiful song but I don't find it appropriate for a national anthem for our history. It sounds more like a hymn and is gentler.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by Jenson71

BTW, I'm in great favor of replacing America, the Beautiful as the official anthem of the USA. Not because of war reasons, though, but because it's just a much more meaningful verse about humans sacrificing for ideals, and the country that stands the test of time, error, and injustice because of it.

But, but, but.....America the Beautiful has the word "God" in it!!!!!!

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by petegz28

But, but, but.....America the Beautiful has the word "God" in it!!!!!!

In more than one place too.

[Garcia Bronco]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

I don't really agree with the reasons for the change, but I think America the Beautiful is a much better song, and would be a better anthem, than the stupid Star-Spangled Banner, which is damn hard to remember or sing.

Seriously -- what percentage of Americans could recite the words from beginning to end, despite hearing it a hundred thousand times?

Many people died that night so the British couldn't seize Baltimore. This is the ultimate disrespect to our ancestors who literally died for our freedom in 1814.

[FishingRod]

My only problem with either, is both melodies were stolen from the British. God Save the Queen/King and some drinking song.