[Havisham]

Old

[Dilbert San Diego]

I hate when people don’t know their history.

Yes the battle at Ft. McHenry in Baltimore was violent. But it was not an act of conquest by the Americans. The British were trying to invade and occupy Baltimore. The Americans successfully defended the port of Baltimore. We were fighting in self-defense. Even peace loving religious people like this Goshen college group recognize the right to fight in self defense.

They are probably just liberal, dressed up and hiding behind some notion of pacifism, for which they really aren’t even adhering to Christian standards in expressing. And they don’t know the history of the Star Spangled Banner or the battle at Ft. McHenry. But if one is liberal enough, one appears to get a pass on such concepts as knowing the history of what allegedly inspired you to take the position you hold and publicize.

[BigCinBigD]

Religious extremism is a mental illness.

[wolficatZ]

“Officials”

“school officals”

[stripes1776]

Mennonites are pacifists. This is a denomination that goes back to the 16th century. They have practiced non-violence for centuries. During the Protestant Reformation, they were persecuted by both Catholics and other Protestants because they believed in a strict separation of church and state. They were also persecuted because they were Anabaptist--they only baptized adults, not children or infants. Many were killed since they refused to defend themselves when attacked.

They are not anti-American. They just don't believe in using violence of any sort. They are conscientious objectors. When drafted into the armed services during past wars, they served in non-combantant roles.

This is a private college. My guess is that they take no government funding. Given their traditions, there is no reason why they would play the national anthem at sporting events.

[csense]

“It’s obviously about a battle,

It's about liberty, and liberty is not in conflict with Christian core values. Liberalism however, is in conflict with both...which may explain why this dumbass is confused.

[dupree]

Mennonites=Wimps

[Jack Hammer]

You utterly lame, moronic, daffy loser; you just TALK peace - the United States Marine Corps MAKES and MAINTAINS the peace you enjoy.

Pull your head out of your effin’ *ss, you inspid buttmunch.

[Rocky]

Then I guess they really don’t like “Onward Christian Soldiers.”

[paudio]

our Christ-centered core value of compassionate peacemaking seeming to be in conflict with the anthem’s militaristic language.

If this is the only reason, they must have a different Bible than the one I have. Mine has a lot of militaristic language.

[Tainan]

"Those who would beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who didn't."...somebody well known.

[Waco]

And the horse sh-t gets deeper, we’ve far surpassed the 1st 11 years of the last century. And this from a supposedly religous institution.

[LibLieSlayer]

It seems that a little violence is needed against these vermin... perhaps a boot well applied to their collective arses.

LLS

[chainsaw]

Goshen College better close their doors. History is much more violent then the national anthem.

[RoadTest]

“Christ-centered core value of compassionate peacemaking”

Contrast that drivel with The Word: “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword” (Revelation 1:16)

and:

“the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
[8] Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
[9] Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” (Psalm 2:7)

and:

“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” (Luke 19:27)

[TexasRepublic]

Violence is the only reason Americans are still somewhat free. Over a million Americans have died in war to defend that freedom.

[sargon]

“It’s obviously about a battle. It’s rather violent. It’s about using violence to conquer and that would be something that many people would have problems with.”

Morons.

The song is about people defending themselves against conquerors!

I believe it was during the War of 1812. The English attacked Fort McHenry, which defended itself, and F. S. Key, who was on a ship anchored in the harbor, was inspired to write the verses which became our national anthem, if I remember correctly.

[Doe Eyes]

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!
Much better.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears! America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!