Atheists Demand That MA Public School Band Stop Performing ‘God Bless America’
- Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:19am by
Billy Hallowell
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The Wayland School District in Wayland, Massachusetts, is pushing back against an atheist group’s claim that a high school band playing “God Bless America” is somehow an unconstitutional act. In fact, the district, led by Superintendent Dr. Paul Stein, plans to flat-out ignore the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s (FFRF) letter alleging separation of church violations when the song is played at school functions.
The song was played by the Wayland High School band on two days of American patriotism — Pearl Harbor Day and Memorial Day. While Stein claims that he respects the separation between government and religion, he also believes the Madison, Wisconsin-based FFRF is taking the situation a bit too far. A parent‘s complaint allegedly sparked the group’s letter.
“I appreciate where they’re coming from, I really do, but on the other hand I think it’s a question of where the line is drawn,” Stein said, according to The Metro West Daily News. “There has to be a sense about whether the schools are fostering the promotion or practice of religion, and I don’t believe the band playing ‘God Bless America’ does that.”
The school’s warning about the song came from Rebecca Markert, an attorney on staff with the FFRF. Of particular note is the song’s line, which reads, “As we raise our voices in solemn prayer” — something the organization clearly takes in its literal form. Markert asked the district to imagine what would happen if the students were singing and playing a song that proclaimed, “Allah Bless America.”
“A prayer conceived, hosted and advocated by a publicly supported school does not pass constitutional muster,” reads the letter that was sent to Stein in July. “The repeated use of the song sends a message to students that the school is endorsing and compelling belief in a god.”
“There are many other patriotic songs that are secular and that would be suitable for a school setting,” she added, according to the Daily News.
But Stein is doubling down and blatantly ignoring the FFRF’s request — respectfully, of course. This decision is based on legal advice from the district’s representation.
“It’s clearly within a very patriotic song, and many patriotic songs have some reference to a deity,” Stein concluded.
While the FFRF’s case may be compelling to some, school committee member Beth Butler claims the words were never sung at Wayland and that the music was merely played. So far, the FFRF hasn‘t formally responded to the district’s decision.
(H/T: The MetroWest Daily News)
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Comments (168)
sw12
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:32amI say if it’s any way possible pull your kids from public schools. Allow the atheist to have them. When they run then in the ground Christian / countrymen can pick up the pieces.
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 9:37amLet the coward that complained come forth for his or her 15 minutes
Report Post »of fame and suffer the consequences your actions have call for.
And no we do not cave in to these cowards
flaboater1
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 10:04amno way, no how, you can not give in… Work and take back our country. Do not give in to the gay agenda, atheist agenda, radical left progressive agenda, need to make a stand. NOW, HERE.
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 10:39amIt’s time we parents tell these people where to go! Since they are commie athiest they won’t be offended if we give the middle finger. We need leaders that have testicals. One parent complained! Why didn’t someone tell the idiot lawyer to get a petion signed by a majority. If we get to the point where the majority wants Allah Bless America, so be it. We took prayer out of school and look at he kids that have been killed because of godless kids that have never been to Church or heard a prayer. Does everyone forget Columbine, Virginia Tech just to name a few.
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 11:35amNo F-ing way! That’s MY money and this is our culture and country! Stop giving in and fight! Our culture was based on Judeo Christian founding/values…don’t like it? Move to Mecca/Sudan/Russia and try to change their culture. It’s freedom OF religion not FROM! I am so fed up with these freaking lying Marxist Godless drones. Bring it on!
Report Post »The Jewish Avenger
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 11:54amGive us the parents name….
Report Post »atechgeek
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 12:23pmGod does not believe in atheists. Just a hunch.
Report Post »wezzie
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 3:34pmIt’s time to go all CHARTER SCHOOLS and get the government out of our schools. Give them back to the states. I know they wouldn’t be able to build those big fancy schools. Whats more important, teaching our kids the real america or have fancy schools and unionized school teachers just for the pay and not really teaching. Not all teachers are like that, but a LOT of them are.
Report Post »nella111
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:26amSend them back to read the Declaration of Independence! This country was founded on the premise of liberty to worship God, and to tolerate everyone’s right to do that. In fact, it is the government’s responsibility to see that that right is not hindered in any way. ACCOMMODATION of a religion or religious practice is not the same as ESTABLISHMENT.
Report Post »MrSherlockHolmes
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:31amThere are two problems with your “solution,” perhaps three. The Wayland public schools are among the very best in the nation, well run, excellent parent involvement, etc. Then if we abandon them for any reason, those who cannot afford to go elsewhere lose their opportunity for a decent education–and that is a lifetime opportunity that that child can never “make up.” The solution is not to abandon all public schools–many in the Northeast and the Midwest are top-notch, elsewhere, too. The solution is to break the union LIFO rules and other work rules where those rules prohibit the best teachers from teaching by protecting the worst.
Report Post »johnsnare
Posted on August 20, 2012 at 6:51pmSince when, did believing in God, constitute a religion.? You do not have to be Catholic,Jewish,or Protestant, to believe in God. There are many, who believe in a higher power, and do not belong to a particular religion.
Report Post »ohboyohboy
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:29amWanna bet that they’re almost all democrats, these in-your-face intolerant ba#%@rds?
Report Post »dadsrootbeer
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:53amAbsolutely, can’t be a progressive without being an atheist
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 12:19pm@Dad, You’re wrong. GB did a wonderful job shining the light on lefty progressives, but ignored what it really means to be a progressive, and I’m censored everytime I try to post something about it. What we call social conservatives today are god-loving, but ARE PROGRESSIVES. Please do as GB asks and do your homework.
Report Post »Carol1955
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:28amThe atheists are pushing the Christian foundation of this nation aside with the tool of ignorance and apathy. We owe our country the effort to really learn about what the founding fathers believed and how this nation was founded. We owe ourselves the effort to fight back against this wave of intolerance.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 9:09amI don‘t think there’s much you can do to fight back until the supreme court reverses it’s decisions. I mean you might look into exposing the lawyers that are constantly suing to remove Christian symbols on public lands and shine the light on them or petition for an ammendment to the Constitution. I’m even an agnostic that thinks the courts have it backwards. All they seem to be doing is making people miserable and crosses and such don’t bother me none.
Report Post »JohnLarson
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:27amWe’re not a theocracy and God Bless America was written by a Russian anyways…
The atheists are on the side of the Constitution on this one.
Report Post »One Man Mormon Blues Band
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:50amPlaying a song is not advocating a religion. It’s a song! If a band is paying it no one is even singing the words.
Report Post »dadsrootbeer
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:59amUm, wrong. Song was written by Irving Berlin while serving in the U.S. Army and who was a first generation European. Doesn’t get any more American than that. Showing off your progressive tolerance traits again I see.
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 9:02amDon’t really care who wrote it..
Report Post »The French built the Statue of Liberty too.
Docrow
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 9:26amIrving Berlin was a Jew born in Russian. His family moved to New York in the late 1800′s. I’m sure understood the freedoms we enjoyed at that time compared to what he had in Russian.
Report Post »The Jewish Avenger
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 9:59amA Russian Jew comes to American and writes God Bless America?
Awesome….
Why those facts are an issue is beyond me unless you forgot WHY people from Russia and were Jewish actually wanted to come to America.
Hint: It’s the same reason why the Catholics from Ireland came here too.
Report Post »TEIN
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 11:20amAtheist and Libby/Progressive….can not promote a lie because of no validity, so they resort to destroying truth that has validity…. beware of those that call good evil and evil good…and if you if you can’t tell the difference, your probably promoting a lie
Report Post »dblaess
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 12:19pmWhy, that is good that atheists are on the side of the constitution. The constitution and America need al the help it can get. As my federal money says, based on the full credit and faith of the U.S. government “In God we trust”. Therefore, I think like you that the school band should continue to play “God Bless America”.
Report Post »dagmajor
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:42pmNo where in the US Constitution does it state that prayer is not allowed in school. The US Constitution has been frequently misquoted and misinterpreted. Separation of Church and State was written into the US Constitution to prevent a mono-Theocractic America. The Protestant English Bishops had a lot of governing authority in Great Britian, so between the Church (Bishops) and State (Monarchy), the people had virtually no rights. The framers of the US Constitution wanted the US Government to be of the people, by the people, and for the people, with the freedom to practice whatever religion they wanted, and their rights would not be infringed upon. It irks me everytime an atheist sees soldiers praying, schools saying the pledge of allegiance, or court houses with the ten commandments, and cries that violates the Constitution. Soldiers, schools, and court houses are not governing bodies and therefore do not fall within the “church and state” parameters. Government employees, offices, and structures are representative of the government, but are not governing authorities and do not fall within the parameters. A good example of what would fall under the parameters would be the Vatican City and the pope. Our Constitution would prevent us from having a one-religion government with a religious head of state, though Catholicism in itself would not be forbidden. In fact, suppressing a NON-governing body from prayer violates the Constitution.
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:24amI go and try to defend one of these jerks on a story and then I turn around and see this story.. should have know better …Shame on me.. You give them a inch …they try to take a mile or in this case a county.
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:24amAdd your comments
Report Post »redautumn
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:21amAccording to Paul Kruger, author of The Communist, Ann Dunham, Obamas mother listed herself as
Report Post »an atheist. Excellent book and really helps you understand where Obama came from… and more important, where he wants to go and drag us with him.. I WILL NOT COMPLY. DIGNITY CANNOT BE LEGISLATED…
tomasreal
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:21amAtheism is a religion and only a country UNDER God can separate religion from the state and the reason is simple, if a country is not under God it will replace God. Of course, try and get an Atheist to understand that concept; what a bunch of idiots.
The two greatest threats to the separation of religion and State are Atheism and the Government itself. We already live in a country where Government has replaced God and you are required by law to worship the State with the almighty dollar. What could be a greater violation of the principle of the State being prohibited from establishing a religion?
How on earth is singing the national anthem the making of a law that establishes a religion. My God these Atheists are completely out of hand and at the very least should have to pay a huge fine for filing a frivolous law suit.
Report Post »SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:56am@ TOM…I have to agree with a good portion of your assertion. When religion is removed another “religion” takes over that is not only not separate from the state, but IS the state. They determine your rights, they determine the exercise thereof of the extent of your liberties, it becomes the supreme authority for society, it demands sacrifice at the will of the State. Statism is all that is left when one removes religion. Almighty government has the “solutions”, almighty government will determines societies moral direction and the consequences for disobedience. Several well known atheists agree and that is why they prefer religion within a society because they know when men obtain power and believe they only answer to themselves they oppress their fellow man in good conscience.
“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience”. —– C. S. Lewis
Report Post »tomasreal
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 9:20amIn the last paragraph it should say God Bless America and not National Anthem must be a Freudian slip.
Report Post »bdandsl
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:15amDavid Barton, on his website, Wallbuilders has links to several law/justice firms that handle these types of law suits for school disrricts for free – pro bono. They specialize on constitutional religous issues.
Report Post »The_Cabrito_Goat
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 9:51amTremendous, I‘mma book mark ’em
Report Post »bdandsl
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:10amThese people are out of control! Enough, already!
Report Post »bbg1123
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:09amWe need more citizens to stand up agianst these people who might not understand that this country was formed, founded, and based on Christian beliefs. They should feel blessed (tongue in cheek) that we allow them to spew their disdain for religion.
Report Post »If you don’t like it … don’t participate.
Bruce P.
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 11:46amPerhaps you can show us in the Bible where we can find liberties such as those found in the Constitution.
Report Post »bauffhammer
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:09amOMG we need to shut those atheists up.. iam so tired of the minority winning.. if they hate america so much they need to move to iran. stand your ground christians
Report Post »Bruce P.
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 11:46amWhen did standing up for your Constitutional rights become the same as hating America?
Report Post »dblaess
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:10am@ Bruce P.
Report Post »Posted on August 7, 2012 at 11:46am
When did standing up for your Constitutional rights become the same as hating America?
——————————————————————————————————
It is not. However, what constitutional right is being violated by a school band playing “God Bless America”?
Dde13
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:06amMillions complain about FFRF!!!!! What’s going to be done about that??
Report Post »Tired of these un-PATRIOTIC organizations…… IF YOU DON’T LOVE IT, LEAVE IT…
GOD BLESS THE USA….
Meyvn
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:04amAtheists are so pathetic.
Report Post »LewisLorenz
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:04amThe lawyer for the atheists says, “The repeated use of the song sends a message to students that the school is endorsing and compelling belief in a god.” A belief that a greater authority designed this world and life in it is a natural conclusion from teaching natural law. This is something the school should be proud of. It means they are doing their job effectively. Stick to your guns, Wayland. It is irrational to lie about the existence of the laws of nature and nature’s God.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:00amSince I don’t believe in Santa Claus, I‘m going to demand that eveyone else stop singing ’Here Comes Santa Claus’ this Christmas.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:58amYou don’t believe in Santa? Scrooge! ;)
Report Post »The Jewish Avenger
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 10:22amThere’s no such thing as Santa?
*sniff*
My kids caught me playing tooth fairy which was hilarious!
We talked about the others as well… Easter Bunny, Santa Claus
Then we did talk about Jesus and WHY these secular replacements occured in an attempt to replace them… They got it the first time.
(Why? Well they once met some extremely rude atheists…displaying their hate for Christians in the name of tolerance and equality… We had to have a long talk about being respectful to those who hate Christians… THAT took a long time, they kept arguing and eye for an eye LOL)
any way… they were so proud of themselves of their new found info they told a friend when they went to a public school? The parents (and child) were NOT pleased…
Oops.
They do know about St. Valentine, St. Patrick and St. Nicholas which they think is pretty cool and think its sad that the majority of the U.S. does not know who these people are and why they are revered.
Santa Claus:
De Sint (The Saint)
De Goedheiligman (The Good Holy Man)
Sint Nicolaas (Saint Nicholas)
Sinterklaas
Santa is real! Just not flying in a big ol red shopping cart.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 11:04amStop it Avenger, you‘re ’offending’ me!
Report Post »Jaye Byrd
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:18pmYou shouldn’t say that about Santa Clause – Monk. You really don’t want to tickoff the Easter Bunny.
Report Post »Joyzee
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:57amEnough’ Division from within thats what Progressives want!.. Hold true to your Faith the Country’s sick and throwing up..!!..We’ll be here to clean it up.
Report Post »Zipit
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:56amYa gotta wonder if whats left of the good people in liberal states such as Mass, will ever reach the tipping point, and start fighting back. Many would say that they’re already lost to the progressive tide.
It’s good to see a story like this, and you hope that these people will stick to their guns and fight to maintain some common sense in their lives.
Cal, on the other coast, I’m afraid, is another story! Doomed perhaps!
Report Post »mixplix
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:51amTo ZIPIT: Mass. is following Calf. and when they run out of tax money they too will go chapter eleven. It’s similar to arguing with a three year old.
Report Post »Viper1
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:53amAt what point is this going to stop? This country was founded on freedom of religion not freedom from religion. I am sick and tired of having to bend what I believe so as not to offend someone. I don’t care if I offend somebody or not, if there is a God then they will get over it.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:05amYou state department still gets to violate the establishment clause indiscriminately. The ACLU doesn’t want to touch that. Getting crosses and commandments taken out of schools is much more pressing.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:37amIt’s not going to stop Viper. They will drive God from our land and then wonder why they are no longer the greatest country on Earth. Hopefully, it’s after I am long gone.
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:53amobama’s atheist radicals are out of control – obama must go.
Report Post »blanco5
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:52amNOWHERE, I repeat, NOWHERE does it say anywhere “separation of church and state.” I am so tired of leftys throwing that in my face.
Report Post »jk47thezealot
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:57amBlanco, go read each state’s constitution from New England. I say this each time this happens. These folks have no clue and they make themselves look like idiots. All anyone has to do is use the state constitution against these people. Especially, MA. They even put a clause in there that state funds may be used from time to time to establish a place of worship. Article 3.
http://www.nhinet.org/ccs/docs/ma-1780.htm
Report Post »Stephan D. Markos
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:57amFrom the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
Report Post »Article II. The governor shall be chosen [annually]; and no person shall be eligible to this office, unless at the time of his election, he shall have been an inhabitant of this commonwealth for seven years next preceding; [and unless he shall at the same time, be seised in his own right, of a freehold within the commonwealth of the value of one thousand pounds; and unless he shall declare himself to be of the Christian religion.]
jk47thezealot
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:51amYeah, we here in Woonsocket RI told them to go pound sand. I didn’t think it would be long before their “Hate Tour” landed close by. The problem is, these yahoos NEVER read the state’s constitutions. Just about all of the state const. in New England SPECIFICALLY use the word GOD. But yet, these jokers never attack the constitution, just organizations that coul dbankrupted if it goes to court.
Report Post »Stelex
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:47amI’m no bible thumper by any stretch, not even sure if I believe, but these atheists are really ******* me off. Get over yourselves. You’re worse than any religion out there at this point. It’s Freedom of Religion………Not “From” Jagovs
Report Post »KingCanon
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:42amI demand atheists stop forcing their Godlessness on America!
Report Post »How’s that?
Bruce P.
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 11:48amHow has godlessness been forced upon you?
Are you no longer Christian? Are you no longer allowed to go to church?
Report Post »steveh931
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 1:20pmIt is the human eye that offends the atheist’s soul for it allows one to see religious symbols that represent everything good in life.
Report Post »MemphisViking
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:24amBruce, how is religion being forced on anyone?
Report Post »JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:25amGood for this city. It’s deffinitly time to stand up against these fringe groups and stop this maddening attack on God. Enough is enough!!!!
Report Post »Bruce P.
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 11:50amYou cannot attack a fictional being.
Report Post »MemphisViking
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:48amBruce, pretending God doesn‘t exist won’t make Him go away. If you don’t deal with Him, sooner or later He’ll deal with you.
Report Post »