We read:
"A small northern Indiana college has decided to stop playing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at sporting events after starting to do so for the first time last year.
The 1,000-student college has been playing an instrumental version of the national anthem, followed by a peace prayer, before games and other events.
Some were upset with the school's decision last year because the song's lyrics contain references to using war and military might to defend the country.
Source
I personally don't think we can really criticise the Mennonites for this. They have a First Amedment right to practice their religion and their religion is a lot closer to the Sermon on the Mount than orthodox Christianity is.
18 comments:
Cease all govt aid to this school.
I see antiwar signs from Mennonites all the time around here. But they seem to pick and choose what the like and don't like from the Bible. For example, they seem to ignore this passage:
There is an appointed time for everything.
And there is a time for every event under heaven —
A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.
— Ecclesiastes 3:1–8
The Bible also uses war imagery to describe a critical part of the Christian life:
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
— Ephesians 6:11–12
Paul then goes on compare our growth as Christians to a soldier putting on his armor.
Then there's this:
for it [government] is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
— Romans 13:4
In other words, it is sometimes necessary for the government to kill in order to suppress evil.
They have no legal obligation to play the Star Spangled Banner, but I think they're missing a critical part of the Bible's teachings and the Christian and civic life.
One final thought: They're also apparently unaware of the 4th verse of The Star Spangled Banner:
O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation.
Blest with vict’ry 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!
Yeah Luke, you talk about picking and choosing from the Bible. A text can be found somewhere in the Old or New Testaments to justify just about anything you like. A true Christian might prefer to focus only on what Jesus is reported to have said and not on what all the others who claimed to be prophets, apostles and saints, such as you like to quote as tho' devine authority.
"But they seem to pick and choose what the like and don't like from the Bible."
So do you.
A true Christian might prefer to focus only on what Jesus is reported to have said and not on what all the others who claimed to be prophets, apostles and saints, such as you like to quote as tho' devine authority.
Posted in another thread (plus a little more):
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
— Jesus, Matthew 5:17–19
The "Law" and the "Prophets" (and "Writings") is what the Jews called the books which we call the Old Testament.
Jesus' standard is that all scripture is valid. So why would it be "truly Christian" to adopt a more narrow/different standard than what Jesus himself used?
Let's not forget this:
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
— 2 Timothy 3:16
So do you.
Prove it.
And theyll replace it with AGE of AQUARIUS or DOG & BUTTERFLY something that appeals to the liberal collage administraitors STINKIN HIPPY WANKS
Tomothy's words like Paul's are self-serving and have no other authority than their own. What Jesus is said to have originally said is debatable.
They weren't Tomothy, or more correctly TIMOTHY's words. Maybe you need a refresher on who wrote the letter TO Timothy.
7:12 How pedantic you are! It was a ref to the quote "2 Timothy" - ie. the words of the title TIMOTHY; and "their own" referred to the words. And I'm also aware that not all "Paul's" letters were written by Paul. Now why not go ahead and correct my grammar as well!
Enough, children! Back to the point of the post, please?
I see that you still do not know who wrote the letter to Timothy. Pitiful, just pitiful.
Oh wow - you're the one who's so utterly pitiful to carp on about it. I'm quite aware that it was (supposedly) Saul/Paul who wrote the damn letter to "Timothy" - HAPPY NOW you pedantic a-h!
And speaking of self serving words.....
If it was up to me I'd ship every pacifist to Afghanistan and let them fend for themselves. War is what gave us our independence from the British, war is what keep us free.
War is what costs you a lot in blood and treasure - but if you enjoy it I suppose you think it's well spent.
Jesus once chased merchants out of a church using a whip
Jub, I presume you are using "church" loosely or ironically - ??
Post a Comment