No more national anthem at pacifist Indiana college

WTHR 13 ^ | 6/7/11 | Staff

[Nachum]

Goshen - 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. Goshen College's board of directors says it will find an alternative that honors the country and the Mennonite Church-affiliated school's pacifist traditions. 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.

[muawiyah]

There are offshoots ~ and they've all turned their back on the pacifism part. Part of that had to do with the Civil War.

You'll find your typical Quaker group in Indiana is different from that in the East, and it was precisely the pacificism.

The whole theory breaks down when people are fighting to free slaves.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) picked up a good number of lesser known formerly pacifist groups over the years ~ e.g. the Dunkards ~ and you are likely to encounter some pretty strong proponents of the Quaker/Mennonite pacifist position out of them ~ except for WWII and the Civil War.

I've noticed on trips back home that the Old Order Amish are making a really big move into Indiana. They go whole hog into the whole pacifist thing but I've heard even they back off from letting the hogs eat 'em.

[muawiyah]

The true peoples’ anthem is, of course “The Battle Hymn Of The Republic”. Those others are of lesser value and historic interest.

[Eva]

I’ve heard that most of the Mennonites are no longer plain people. They are now rich suburbanites who like to send their kids to the Mennonite schools.

[Eva]

I’ve heard that most of the Mennonites are no longer plain people. They are now rich suburbanites who like to send their kids to the Mennonite schools.

Oh, and the EUB joined the Methodists, years ago.

[muawiyah]

Knew that one. There are Church of the Brethren congregations around in urban areas that simply don't follow the "old time religion".

My own grandfather changed churches when he found a really good job in the old Post Office Department ~ carrying a gun!

His own church didn't allow guns to be carried against humans ~ although they allowed hunting. So he found a church that allowed folks to carry guns on the job.

[Eva]

I went to college at a school that was associated with the EUB. Religion was a required freshman course. We read theologians ranging from Thomas Aquinas to Paul Tillich.

My minister was head of the joint seminary for EUB and EC churches and so when I went home, I asked him if he agreed with Tillich. He said yes and that he had to preach the kind of sermons that the congregation wanted to hear. I never went back.

[syriacus]

I agree with you.

[freedomwarrior998]

This is a historic Mennonite College. They have held steadfast in their pacifism for many years. If there is a tornado or natural disaster they are usually the first to help. I am not a pacifist but I attended a Quaker college and I have nothing but respect for these sects. They don’t change with the wind. They are not fair weather pacifists. Many of the medics in Vietnam were Mennonite! Give them some slack they are not jihadists!

Your common sense has no place in this thread. It's far better to pile on with the hatred and vitriol for a people that dare to disagree with one's own ideology.