School Bans God Bless the USA

Elizabeth - posted on 07/12/2012

I have one other thought...the word God....well, God is God no matter what you call the creator...I could put down a dozen or so names for God but God is what God is whatever you call him or if you don't call him at all. So she banned a song because of a WORD. Stupid woman. Its sort of like trying to pick pepper from fly crap.

Elizabeth - posted on 07/12/2012

Here is my take....Im am so tired of people banning this that or the other. Our constitution guarantees...notice that word? GUARANTEES....freedom of speech. SO, if you ban a song , whether its the most annoying song in the world , in order not to annoy someone else of another faith , ethnic background etc...you sorta take away the backbone of what America is founded on. Freedom. If I wanted to burn a flag..which I wouldn't...but just for arguments sake...you can't ban that...or hate me for it....or I could hate you for flying it. So, it should be ok that I run to my government and whine to them that you are hurting my feelings and they should ban what you are doing in order not to offend me....Or if Im a christian, perhaps I should wail and cry over the fact that I can't say in God we trust? Well maybe I should..because we can't say that anymore because people came to this country and whined and cried about how that hurt their feelings. Completely missing the whole point of religious tolerance and freedom. WTH?....So, if a kid is walking down the hall humming that stupid song then what happens? Suspension? Expulsion? For what? I love America but damn, sometimes we are one big gigantic freakin contradiction of self.

Lisa - posted on 06/17/2012

Anyway the song has no place in school.

Lisa - posted on 06/17/2012

Becky if you read the article you will see she is often involved in controversy. She obviously should not be principal of this school.

Sylvia - posted on 06/15/2012

Oh, wow, this whole time I thought we were talking about "G-d Bless America" and Irving Berlin, we were actually talking about a different song? Oops! (FTR I have never to my knowledge hear "G-d Bless the USA". I like the IRving Berlin song, but I have no idea if I like that one.)

Tracie - posted on 06/13/2012

"God Bless the USA" is not our anthem. Separation of church and state says that the state cannot favor one religion over another. Some religions call it "god," others call it "allah," others call it something else. Some don't believe there is a sky daddy at all. Keep religion in church. Keep secular learning in school.

NutMeg - posted on 06/13/2012

God Bless the USA is a country song and one of the most annoying songs I have heard. It's not the national anthem, I don't see the big deal.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 06/13/2012

I think when your talking about 1st world Countries, there is typically a freedom to practice whatever religion you want or don't want to, for that matter. It doesn't mean you can rain on others parades. Just don't participate in the singing of those words...



Also, one of my best colleagues is JW. He is AWESOME! He follows their religion to a tee but he is one of the most intelligent guys here and he is very well respected. He sits out on most of our celebratory events (depending on what they are) but he does not complain that others enjoy them. He just does something else, like work. ;) I can say though, he does have one hell of a time doing the things they do. He just participated in a huge JW play this past weekend. Him and his wife cruise the globe twice a year. He knows how to have fun, he just doesn't do it outside of his religious rules (or whatever their called).

Beth - posted on 06/13/2012

First off, it's just an old country and western song, not a national anthem. They could choose another patriotic song to sing, because it's not the part about the USA that excludes people, it's the part about God. This is the United States, and a lot of people don't believe in God and we have a Constitution that says that's ok. In a place like NYC, I'd imagine this to be a hot button issue. If we lived in another country, we'd be bound to their rules, yes, that's true. But, a lot of other countries DON'T have constitutional amendments protecting the freedom to practice any religion we choose. The issue here is religion, not country. They can choose from a myriad of other patriotic songs. I agree that using a Justin Beiber song is ridiculous, but the principal did what he felt was right about the other song.

Becky - posted on 06/12/2012

"Yeah, the line, "And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free," always sets my teeth on edge.

'Cause you know, there are absolutely NO other free countries out there. /rolls eyes"

Yeah, Krista, I feel the same way. I was going to put in my previous post that the song kind of offends me because it makes it sound like every other country is inferior. It's kind of an arrogant song. But I still don't think she was right to ban them from singing it.

Lady Heather - posted on 06/12/2012

I change the words to "it's peanut butter jelly time" to suit whatever it is I'm doing at the moment.

It's peanut butter laundry time. It's peanut butter laundry time. Peanut butter laundry. Peanut butter laundry. Peanut butter laundry with a baseball bat.

Unfortunately the child has started doing it too.

Lady Heather - posted on 06/12/2012

Yeah, I think this is why my dad's girlfriend lacks a sense of humour. Too many years spent with the Buzz Killingtons.

Johnny - posted on 06/12/2012

But then I changed the words to "Baby Got Back" because I have no butt and I felt left out

Johnny - posted on 06/12/2012

Heather, it's not just "like" that. They ARE trying not to have fun.

But like you say, that's why they stepped out or don't sing along. She has no right to stop others from singing a song because of her beliefs. If I don't agree with a song, I won't sing it. Or I'll change the words. But I won't tell everyone else to do my thing. Ugh!

Lady Heather - posted on 06/12/2012

Oh, now I see why she banned it. It was always the JWs who stepped out for O Canada too. No anthems or any other sort of patriotic song, no Christmas, no birthdays. It's like they are trying to not have fun.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/12/2012

Ok, I had to go play the song to remember it. Well, I guess I just have a different perspective of what it means and whether it is hokey. Yeah, it kinda is a bit. But it reminds me of the soldiers that lost their lives in the gulf, and really brings back a lot of heartache with 9/11. So for me, it is an emotional trigger. My step father was chief of police on a big ass air force base, and I got to hear a lot of what was going on during the gulf war. I was young, but it still effected me. But really, this song rips my heart out because of 9/11. It was played a lot.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/12/2012

I apologize for my snarky comment Krista, I like the song God Bless America, and it is a traditional song in all the schools. It actually saddens me to think it could get dismissed because of the word God.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/12/2012

SHe sounds like a real peach. I thought I read the whole article earlier, whoops. Missed a whole bunch. Gotta excuse me today I have a lot on my mind.

"The song uproar comes amid tensions. Hawkins has been called a tyrant and bully by some staffer

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/12/2012

I was meaning God Bless America. I am not sure if I am even familiar with God Bless the USA. I guess I gotta go listen up.

Well, if she is JW and deciding what can and cannot be sung in the school strictly because of HER religious beliefs, I hope she gets a few knocks on her door about that. That right their is a bunch of bullshit.

Krista - posted on 06/12/2012

Huh...this is interesting:

The principal, a Jehovah’s Witness, does not recite the pledge because her religion forbids followers to salute any nation’s flag.

I guess she's just exercising her religious freedom by disallowing that song...

Johnny - posted on 06/12/2012

LOL. I used to sing God Bless America to my daughter to put her to sleep. Along with Oh Canada and the Star Spangled Banner. I was sleep deprived at the time. But God Bless the USA is such a hokey tune that she probably would have dissolved into a fit of giggles if I had tried singing that one.

Krista - posted on 06/12/2012

And just for the record, "God Bless America" is a LOVELY song.

Krista - posted on 06/12/2012

LMCBW -- are you sure you aren't thinking of "God Bless America"? THAT's the one that was written by Irving Berlin in 1918.

"God Bless the USA" was written by Lee Greenwood in 1984.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/12/2012

It was written in 1918, and revised in 1938. Sorry it is not up to todays standards for hip music. It is part of our American History, and wish it would just be left alone.

Krista - posted on 06/12/2012

And there are many that AREN'T free Krista.

Well yes, but the way the song is written, it makes it sound as though America is the only free country in existence. I don't care if it's banned or not -- I'm simply agreeing with Jen that the song is hokey and very badly written.

Janice - posted on 06/12/2012

I personally am not a fan of the song for the same reason's Jen and Krista mentioned. However I don't think it is so offensive that these little kids who worked so hard for 5 months should not be allowed to sing it.

I actually first heard this song at an elementary school. It was part of their weekly morning program to play 1-2 songs and have the students sing along. This song and "fireflies" were most popular.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/12/2012

The word "ain't" is in it to, should we ban that word because it is grammatically incorrect and we are teaching our children improper grammar?

I stand by that it is a nice song, and it should not be banned.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/12/2012

And there are many that AREN'T free Krista.

Krista - posted on 06/12/2012

Yeah, the line, "And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free," always sets my teeth on edge.

'Cause you know, there are absolutely NO other free countries out there. /rolls eyes

Jen - posted on 06/12/2012

When I say crap song LMCBW, I mean musically I think it's poorly written, designed exclusively to make masive money and as I said before it promotes a very big "we're awesome, you all suck' patriotiism that i find obnoxious.;

I have similar opinions on other pop songs that have burrowed their ways into modern culture like, "The Christmas Shoes"

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/12/2012

It honestly is not a piece of crap song, it has a nice message, regardless if the word God is in it. I do think it is ridiculous that a school is trying to ban it. Just my opinion. You don't have to say it, you don't even have to Pledge Allegiance to the Flag if you don't want to. Plenty of kids in my school did not, including myself for some time.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/12/2012

It is a tradition. We have a lot of songs about America that you learn in school, especially around flag day. The national anthem is of course the Star Spangled Banner, but we have other patriotic songs.

Krista - posted on 06/12/2012

I'm with Jen. Why were they singing that jingoistic piece of crap in the schools anyway?

Stifler's - posted on 06/12/2012

No nobody thought this song was the national anthem. I was responding to Heather's comments about Canadas national anthem having God keep our land glorious and free.

Jen - posted on 06/12/2012

I'm sorry, did we change the national anthem from The Star Spangled Banner to this pop song (poorly written in my view) when I wasn't looking?

I'ts a crap song, it promotes religion and that very typical "we're the best, you suck kind of patriotism' that gives the USA such a bad rap.

Becky - posted on 06/11/2012

I don't really even think this principal is banning the song because it has "God' in it. I think it's because she's afraid the lyrics, "I'm proud to be an American, cuz at least I know I'm free, Blah, blah blah blah the men who died, to save my country (or something like that) and I'll proudly stand up, next to you.... God Bless the USA" will offend those whose native country is not the USA. Which I think is rather silly, because obviously, those who weren't born there, chose to live there, in many cases, because they thought they would have a better life than they would have wherever they came from. So my guess is, they would be happy to see the USA prosper. I think this principal either has a bit of a chip on her shoulder (from the article, it sounds that way) or is really taking PC to the extreme.

Lady Heather - posted on 06/11/2012

I don't think anyone really thought it was the national anthem did they? Trust me, we hear the star spangled banner a lot. I know the words from watching hockey. I was just drawing a comparison to a song we sang at school.

I guess it's just weird to me. I have a problem with kids being led in forced prayer, but if someone wants to sing about god blessing something, meh.

I also know that Oh Canada has been changed over the years. It is regrettable that any effort was wasted on that. Now I would feel differently if the lyrics were "God keep our land, glorious and free...of women's rights". But they aren't really offensive. If there is a god I sure as shit hope he's looking out for us. Is that so terrible?

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/11/2012

*****MOD WARNING*****

Ladies, if you want to discuss which country wronged their people and others more, take it to another thread. Stick to the OP or this thread is getting locked down. For crying out loud out of 18 comments, almost half of them are bickering. Start a new thread, and keep it CIVIL!!

~DM MoD Little Miss~

Sally - posted on 06/11/2012

You my dear are not debating you are trying to cause an argument. I agree what happened years ago was wrong and unfair but the important part of that sentence is "YEARS AGO" . Nobody is forced to move or live in this country.

Janessa - posted on 06/11/2012

So if you Sally and MeMe want to do this i have all day and all this is written in history books. Ask the Queen of England and the European Historians how they made Europe Wealthy on others soil. I will win this battle oh by the way my boyfriend is if English,Welsh,Scottish,Irish,German,French,Austerian,American and Canadian and I am Haitian. So our son is Everything we are and I am so glad his father is not blinded and understand history and laughs at you two.

Sally - posted on 06/11/2012

And rhat was how long ago and what did i,my children and people living today have to do with it. Why do you think that we should pay for things that where years ago. Im not going to get in to this because there is no nice way for it to end.

Janessa - posted on 06/11/2012

You make me laugh lol because for someone whos country was made wealthy because of the slave trade and robbing others soils. Without those lands and those peoples ancestor countries Europe would not have the wealth it has. I know my history and how Europeans got its wealth its all over the history book. Oh do not forget how the blacks and the natives were forces to adopt Europeans way on there own soil remember that it is in historys or they would be murdered true story you all.

Sally - posted on 06/11/2012

Makes me laugh when i hear people banging on about the Uk. Their bloody happy to live here with our very good benefit system,our NHS but think that we should forget our history and traditdions. We as a nation try very hard to work with all but for it to work everyone needs to respect each other.
If you move to a country you have no right to expect them to change things to suit you

Janessa - posted on 06/11/2012

Oh MeMe thanks I do not care. I am not getting paid or in school for that matter. Maybe you should read history how it really happened. The blacks the natives and the asians wouldn't agree with you. Because the Euorpeans forces those blacks,natives and asian to learn there way millions were murdered because they didn't want to true history. Base on facts I can talk to my grandfather who is 1/2 native and white and others for your information. Plus all this happened in there own land all over the Americas, all over Africa and Asia.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 06/11/2012

I don't think the English were forcing any other lands to sing THEIR national anthem, while on anothers soil. You decide to become a part of anothers soil, you live with their anthem. Enough said.

I also think "spell checker" is a great invention.... **wink wink**

Janessa - posted on 06/11/2012

I do not think it should changed certain things should not change. Stacey James it is hard to feel sorry for you in that case. Your ancestors were the ones pushing there views upon others. The English and many other Europeans benifited from other lands and cultures. Now you people are bitching because those people are coming into your land and want changed. The English got they way for over 500 hundred years everywhere that there went just remember that.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 06/11/2012

O Canada wasn't proclaimed our National anthem until 1980, 100 years after it was first song in 1880. Since 1980 it has had "God" in it. But it is only once and it is easy to ignore! ;)

Katherine - posted on 06/11/2012

Oops I made a mistake saying anthem. Duh. It's still silly.

Janice - posted on 06/11/2012

While I do think its silly to ban it. I must clarify that the song is not the national anthem. its just some country song.

Sylvia - posted on 06/11/2012

But "G-d Bless America" *isn't* the national anthem, and there's nothing about G-d in the national anthem (IIRC -- I don't know all the verses). So I don't really see what the big deal is about dropping "G-d Bless America" from the repertoire (although I like Irving Berlin and everything).

In Canada, "G-d keep our land glorious and free" is a relatively recent addition. The English lyrics of "O Canada" have been changed many times over the years. When I was a kid, we sang "O Canada, glorious and free, / O Canada, we stand on guard for thee." One bit that sometimes causes ructions is "True patriot love in all thy sons command" -- which I understand was changed from "thou dost in us command" at the beginning of WWI when gazillions of Canada's sons were being sent off into the meat-grinder by British High Command. (Whatever the defects of "O Canada", it's at least easy to sing and HEAPS better than the other contender for national anthem status, that hoary old chestnut "The Maple Leaf Forever" (which begins "In days of yore, from Britain's shore / Wolfe, the dauntless hero, came / and planted firm Britannia's flag / on Canada's fair domain". Blecch.) Lots of people change it to "in all of us command" or something else non-sexist, and life goes on.