Posted on 12/13/2005 2:10:00 PM PST by dukeman
SAN DIEGO - An official with the City of Chula Vista (California) Recreation Department asked a local Christian hip-hop dance group to not perform at a city-sponsored "Holiday Festival" last weekend.
The dance group was scheduled to perform at the city-sponsored event on December 3, but was told after the program began that it could not perform. The six-girl dance troupe -- with participants ranging in age from 8 to 12 -- wore shirts identifying themselves as a "Jesus Christ Dancer." AgapePress was told of the incident by Phil Magnan of Biblical Family Advocates.
John Gates, senior supervisor for the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of Chula Vista, declined to comment on the reasoning for his decision to cancel the performance. When asked about the decision, Gates said that he "was asked to refer the matter to the city attorney's office." Four calls were made to the city attorney's office with no response.
An eyewitness to the event and a father of one of dancers, Al Reyes, questioned the supervisor's decision. Reyes told WorldNetDaily that Gates was asked about a Hawaiian dance group that, according to Reyes, performed "Feliz Navidad," "The First Noel," "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and a Hawaiian prayer song that was sung in another language.
After challenging a city representative on this point, Reyes said Gates told him that, "I don't understand those songs, but I do understand what those shirts say."
The dance group, which normally numbers 11 dancers, is headed up by dance instructor Lita Ramirez. Ramirez said she is "disappointed with the decision to stop the performance," adding that she "made it clear to city officials that this was a Christian hip-hop dance group and that they would perform a Christian hip-hop dance."
Ramirez also has a contract with the Parks and Recreation Commission to conduct dance classes that are scheduled to start on January 17, 2006. A brochure for the city lists that Ramirez will be teaching on Christian hip-hop dance next month. She stated that "because of this incident I am concerned about my future employment with the city."
Referring to removal of her group from the Holiday Festival, Ramirez asserts the city "made a biased decision. I was told that there were complaints about the T-shirts. When asked further about the complaints, a city official changed his story."
The Jesus Christ Dancers group is sponsored by Calvary Christian Academy and is associated with Calvary Chapel of Chula Vista.
Ahhh..Mr. Gates was asked to refer all questions to the city attorney. Think they might be smelling a lawsuit coming their way?? I'll bet so, and those a$$clowns deserve a real big one. Imagine telling 6 little girls "you aren't allowed to dance with those shirts on!" As I understand it Mr. Gates, paybacks from God are serious. You better start thinking about that one.
If it was a Christmas party it would be cool, but lets not forget this is a "holiday" party.
What a bunch of bull. Reminds me of when Christmas songs were fazed out of the "Holiday" concerts when I was in school.
Big, fat, juicy LAWSUIT.
That's why we've got a judicial system.
Sue!
Sue in Federal Court. Run it all the way up to the Supremes.
Sue, sue, sue.
And sue some more.
When cities start paying out millions of dollars in awards and settlements, they will do about religious-themed things what they do about everything else controversial: treat it with kid gloves. Pull back and do nothing offensive, and let the Christians do what they want.
So let the lawsuits begin!
That's the way politics are fought in America: in the Courts.
Therefore, go to it!
I hereby ask the "Jesus Christ Dancers" not to perform at all, anywhere, from now on. Thanks.
Christmas and New Year have gone Bi.....the wayside to include all Global Celebrations of the Winterlude.
>>>What holidays are these people talking about???? Isn't there only one coming up?
There are many holidays upcoming. I celebrated St Lucia's Day today. I'll be celebrating Christmas for 12 holy days from sundown on Dec 24th through Epiphany. In the midst of that will be New Year's Day. Jewish folks will be celebrating Hannukah.
"The mayor’s office is stepping up efforts to respond to calls and concerns from the public by appointing a full-time Constituent Services Manager. Zaneta Encarnacion will act as a liaison between Mayor Stephen C. Padilla’s office and the public. Mayor Padilla and the City Council have made public access to City Hall a priority, and as a result, calls from citizens have doubled. In this new position, Encarnacion will help citizens, on behalf of the Mayor, navigate their concerns through the appropriate city departments.
"If you would like to contact Constituent Services, please call (619) 691-5044 or email to constituent-services@ci.chula-vista.ca.us."
Yep - There are also Christian rap singers. My daughter is only allowed to listen to rap if it's Christian.
You know, it's funny. When break dancing first came out, I was a kid, and I thought to myself-- just wait it out- it'll disappear. And of course it did.
Rap came out, and I thought the same for it--- but to my horror- it has stuck!!
So I suppose it's just something we have to live with, like country western/ blues/ gospel/ rock-- it's just another genre, like you say. You know my LEAST Favorite???? The type of music that drives me NUTS!!???
It's the rap music that sometimes breaks out into spanish. sheeesshhh I'm in Southern California, so 3/4 of the radio does this stuff. Oh, and that Mexican music that sounds liek the old German Oom -pa bands. With the tubas, accordians, cymbals and trumpets.
Please shoot me.
There are all kind of music out there, which I'm not familiar nor listening to. But some people do, and I'm glad that there are always someones who use their talents, etc., to bring the Good News to different people.
Just change the t-shirts to say "Celebrate Rectal Sex" and they'll instantly get permission. Probably even a grant.
LOL... At least you still could tell that they sing in Spanish!
You'd be surprised. I attended a church in Orange County that had a breakdancing prayer group. We surfed, went hangling, scuba diving, rock climbing, and a number of things.
Prayer, bonding, and youth focused. We had like 2,500 people there every Sunday, average age was 28.
As for that comment, I liked the good ole days where a woman would have slapped him across the face for insulting her. And he would have deserved it. Punk.
You'd be surprised. I attended a church in Orange County that had a breakdancing prayer group. We surfed, went hangling, scuba diving, rock climbing, and a number of things.
Prayer, bonding, and youth focused. We had like 2,500 people there every Sunday, average age was 28.
As for that comment, I liked the good ole days where a woman would have slapped him across the face for insulting her. And he would have deserved it. Punk.
"Petty bureaucrats and city officials who are stupid enough to make these kind of decisions are too damned stupid to hold public office and they need to be hounded out of office."
The government administrator hopes to avoid a lawsuit from the aclu. In most places. It is city/county policy to save money by avoiding avoidable lawsuits. In most places.
There may be a "city attorney" but usually cities must pay outside council, for bigger and more complex cases.
That is a simple explanation, of how some of this happens.
So if you wish to lay blame, look at some of the "non-Christians" in your own community.
I don;t think children need to be ENTERTAINED into Christianity!! I also don't like Teen Masses.
later pingout.
Break dancing seems so innocent now, doesn't it?
Someone needs to call the ACLU ;)
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