posted on March 9, 2002 10:20:11 AM new
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THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE
Red Cross nixes 'God'
from 9-11 program
Song based on Declaration of Independence also barred
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Posted: March 9, 2002
1:00 a.m. Eastern
The Orange County, Calif., chapter of the American Red Cross has canceled the planned performance of a music group at an upcoming event honoring the organization's volunteers who helped at the World Trade Center after the Sept. 11 attacks because the group planned to sing songs that mention "prayer" and "God."
"Somebody has gone a little overboard" at the Red Cross, said Cherilyn Bacon, director of First Act, a choral group made up of middle school-aged students from a local performing arts school.
The group was invited to perform "Heroes' Triology" and to dedicate it to the 9-11 volunteers at tomorrow's event. The arrangement includes three songs: "America the Beautiful," "Prayer of the Children" and Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A."
First Act's rendition of "Declaration," a song that includes the opening lines from the Declaration of Independence, was also deemed inappropriate. Bacon says Patricia Johnson, a representative of the American Red Cross in Orange County, told her the Declaration is "a political document that … may offend" some.
Lynn Howse, public affairs director in the Orange County Red Cross office, defended her organization's decision on the Fox News Channel yesterday.
"We need to remain a neutral organization," she said. Howse said another group from the same school will perform in place of First Act and that the program will still include patriotic numbers.
While there have been issues raised by public school districts throughout the U.S. about the religious content of songs students perform, the charter school First Act represents has no problem with its repertoire. As a California charter school, it receives some private funding.
"The school is totally supportive," Bacon told WorldNetDaily. She refused to divulge the name of the school, citing the desire of administrators not to be drawn into the controversy.
Bacon mentioned that her group has received rave reviews for its moving rendition of "Heroes' Trilogy," which was arranged specifically to commemorate Sept. 11.
"The kids have performed these songs for a wide variety of organizations, from the Democrat and Republican Parties to the Santa Ana Interfaith Council," she said in a statement. "Without fail, the performance has brought tears and instant standing ovations. From Muslim to Hare Krishna to Christian to Jew … there has been unanimous applause."
Cindy Boragno, mother of one of the performers, was stunned by the Red Cross' action.
"What rot! This is outrageous," she said. "To think that the word 'God' cannot be used in a song."
Student Malorie Bryant expressed disappointment at the withdrawal of the group's invitation.
"We were so excited to finally be able to perform our special 'Heroes' tribute to the real heroes themselves," she said.
Surmised Bacon, "By taking this 'neutral' position, [the Red Cross] has just offended most of America."
God the person responsible for this must be one of the worst idiots I have ever seen.
posted on March 9, 2002 12:01:30 PM new
In the present state of affairs, there are those that think we must bolster western religion at every turn to fight against the muslim onslaught, and there are those on the other side that feel the same way.
Then there are those who think that this should not be a war between religions, but a war against the real enemy, religion itself.
If this is a war between religions, I hope they kill each other off, and then we may have a world free of religious idiots.
posted on March 9, 2002 04:40:40 PM new
So true, REAMOND. For many centuries, you could easily get burned at the stake or worse for trying to read a copy of the Koran. The Cathloic Church noticed early on that for every catholic who read the book, almost all of the immediately converted to Islam. Therefore, the Koran became the #1 book to be burned on sight and to kill anyone caught reading it. These days, I do not know what their policy is. Personally, I feel that any religious belief that has to be so defended, so pounded in upon each person, only shows how wrong and weak that religion really is. I mean, if a religion was the Real Thing, anyone converting to it would NEVER be convinced to change under any circumstances, that religion being so Pure and so True. That different religions fight and mass murder innocents in the name of God says it all to me.
posted on March 9, 2002 08:51:20 PM new
Gee Borillar they were so busy burning bible readers and printers for so long I never knew they got around to the koran.
posted on March 11, 2002 05:01:18 AM new
Across the world, by fighting between our faiths, we have succeeded in making many people bitter any against any kind faith. Many say, "See how they act? I'm no worse than they are." This is our own fault. The very people we want to reach and to help, we are alienating. In our past history we have tried to clean up the sinner before helping him. What did Jesus do? He sat with politicians, priests, athiests, harlots, rich, poor, clean, dirty, those with infectious diseases, etc. He made himself available to heal, answer questions, and He even paid His taxes.
I can't answer for the Middle Eastern faiths. But I know that in America a new, urgent emphasis is being put on feeding the poor, drug programs, youth programs. We are put to shame when the gov't steps in and does what we should have been doing all along. Even the Bible says - what good does it do to say to a man who is cold or hungry, "I'll pray for you." Give him a coat, feed him. If I show you real compassion, aren't you going to be more open to what I have to say?
posted on March 11, 2002 01:04:57 PM new
If you have to buy ears and hearts with coats and food, then that says a lot about your message.
Perhaps you might try giving coats and food and say nothing, then perhaps your example might find rightous followers, regardless of your mythology.
History has shown time and again that if religion is the foundation for doing the right thing, then their is no hope for humanity.
This is what John Lennon's song Imagine was about, this is what Clinton meant when he said no one has the truth. It is when christians, muslims, hindus, etc., say only they know the truth that trouble begins. Yet, this "lie" is the foundation of all religions.
If truth were held by any faction, then there would be no need for democracy. The enlightened king would do just fine.
The U.S. Constitution doesn't guarantee free speech because it is a neat thing or that anybody wants to hear what you have to say, it grants free speech because no one has a monopoly on the truth. Freedom of religion wasn't included to promote christianity, it was there to allow all religions because in the estimates of the drafters, they couldn't all be right and and in their experience probably none of them were right. If this were a christian nation, there would have been no reason nor need for freedom of religion.
posted on March 12, 2002 06:56:57 PM new
The original entire point is that we have self important a holes in the emergency system who think the declaration of independance is offensive I/m going out and buying my first set of camo clothing ......
posted on March 12, 2002 07:14:10 PM new
something else to amuse you --
Last year a legislator here in Michigan tried to put a bill through that nobody could wear camo in MI unless they were military or public safety.
It would have even been more interesting if he had attempted to define camo.
[ edited by gravid on Mar 12, 2002 07:15 PM ]
posted on March 13, 2002 05:47:18 AM new
a politician so stupid should be removed
Michigan has got to be the most crooked state in the midwest. the bar association is a pathetic joke lawyers stealing all over the place. the state police originally set up by ford to bust strikes, have an agenda that does not incluide honor truth or law enforcement. They dont maintain their roads, the people there get exactly as much justice as they can afford. there is little accountability from gov employees for anything.Judge ships there have turned into a feifdom where they are pretty much passed from parent to sibling. If a person were to complain that their atty did not even show up for court they would get a form letter saying this is normal conduct. No one seems to be watching the utility companies much of the state is still in the 1949's for electric power and services. they do have 100,000 arabs in Detroit though just to help things along.
posted on March 13, 2002 09:49:51 AM new
You know, this is pretty much why I became a Freemason. I got tired of being around 'friends' and other people who had scruples on a much lower level than I had. And explaining it to them about the benefits to be had by living by a strict code of behavior that promoted one's Honor failed to impress them. I also tried several churches in order to be around the sot of folks that I wanted to be around with, but was repulsed by the onslaught of proselytizing (that's their purpose -- right?) Masonry gave me a chance to be with the sort of people that I feel most comfortable with, all without religion being shoved down my throat. I have enjoyed it for many years as an alternative to church (that's not their purpose) and in that time, I have seen many others join for the same reasons.
posted on March 13, 2002 01:17:34 PM new
I don't understand:
In order to protect your right to your own choices, some of you find it necessary to verbally butcher the choices/spirituality of others???
It's a paradoxical way to live, ain't it?
If you want something, don't you have to give it too? Do you take rights, without allowing others the same rights?
Sheesh, Christianity will always get a bad rap, it goes with the territory, but some of the non-Christian here don't have a shred of civility.
makes no scense
posted on March 13, 2002 02:28:57 PM new
virakeck, you're being vague as usual. Please spit out What Who Said that is bothering you. Just my suggestion.
posted on March 21, 2002 11:21:29 PM new
if the red cross is nationally chartered and the charter is from a government that was created with the declaration of independance. then isn't the position idiotic at best ? I would personally like to kick this bimbo in her ass.
posted on March 22, 2002 02:33:52 AM new
I believe it is an International Red Cross - so maybe inb some activities a local slogan or symbols are not correct, but there is an American Red Cross also - I just don't know what each part does.
