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June 26th, 2011
01:00 AM ET
My Faith: Why I don't sing the 'Star Spangled Banner'
By Mark Schloneger, Special to CNN I choose to belong to a strange tribe. Goshen College, my alma mater, made national news this month when its board of directors decided that the “Star Spangled Banner” would not be played before athletic events. As could be expected, the decision was met with confusion and contempt. Wasn’t this just another example of our traditional values being trampled by the unrelenting march of political correctness? What sort of ingrates object to our nation’s anthem, anyway? Fluffy-headed campus philosophers? Lazy latte-sipping liberals? The decision not to play the national anthem reversed last year’s decision to play it for the first time in Goshen College’s 116-year history. That, too, caught the media’s attention. It also caused widespread concern and confusion among the college’s students, professors, alumni, supporters and, yes, donors - many of whom felt like playing the anthem compromised the college’s Christian values. Goshen is a small school in northern Indiana that's owned and operated as a ministry of Mennonite Church USA. I am a Goshen graduate, a longtime member of the Mennonite Church and the pastor of a Mennonite congregation. Mennonites live in countries all over the world. Though we speak many languages, have different ethnic origins, and express our faith in diverse ways, we all claim the Anabaptists in 16th century Europe as our spiritual ancestors. The Anabaptists agreed with most of the ideas of the Protestant Reformation but felt that reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin didn't go far enough. Anabaptists rejected the practice of infant baptism, for instance, believing that water baptism should be reserved for believers who confess a faith in Jesus. Because they understood the exercise of state power to be inconsistent with the church’s identity and mission, Anabaptists also advocated for the strict separation of church and state. This then-radical stance was prompted by both theology and necessity: Anabaptists had the distinct notoriety of being tortured and killed by both Catholics and Protestants wielding the power of the state against them. Instead of compromising their core convictions about what it means to follow Jesus, thousands of Anabaptist men and women adhered to their freedom of conscience even as they were mocked by neighbors, burned at stakes and drowned in rivers. Although there certainly are diverse viewpoints among individual Mennonites today, we continue to advocate for the strict separation of church and state. Most Mennonite churches do not have flags inside them, and many Mennonites are uncomfortable with the ritual embedded in the singing of the national anthem. That’s because we recognize only one Christian nation, the church, the holy nation that is bound together by a living faith in Jesus rather than by man-made, blood-soaked borders. To Mennonites, a living faith in Jesus means faithfully living the way of Jesus. Jesus called his disciples to love their enemies and he loved his enemies all the way to the cross and beyond. Following Jesus and the martyrs before us, we testify with our lives that freedom is not a right that is granted or defended with rockets’ red glare and bombs bursting in air. True freedom is given by God, and it is indeed not free. It comes with a cost, and it looks like a cross. It’s a strange tribe to which I belong, and sometimes it’s hard to be strange. We struggle to be inclusive in our welcome yet passionate in our identity. Our desire for acceptance, for approval, is strong, and we don’t always live up to the convictions that we set before us. We must repent of that, for the world cannot know of its brokenness and hopelessness without a people who show a holistic way of life. The world cannot know that there is an alternative to violence and war without a people of peace making peace. The world cannot know that the weak and the vulnerable are cared for by God without a people practicing an economy centered on sharing and mutual aid. The world cannot know the unsurpassable worth of human life without a people who consistently work to protect it - in the fetus, in the convict, in the immigrant, in the soldier, and in the enemy. These convictions do not reflect ingratitude or hatred for our country. Rather, they reflect a deep love for the church and a passionate desire for the church to be the church. Mennonite beliefs and practices seem bizarre to some and offensive to others. But it’s life in this strange tribe that keeps me faithful to what I believe. I love my country, but I sing my loyalty and pledge my allegiance to Jesus alone. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Mark Schloneger. soundoff (4,381 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Editor's Note: Mark Schloneger is pastor of Springdale Mennonite Church in Waynesboro, Virginia.
As a former Marine who served in Afghanistan I welcome freedom of religion, thought, freedom to live your life anyway you want (as long as you're not stepping on someone elses rights). However, refusing to sing the national anthem seems a little much. I'm not saying he doesn't have a right to do it, but at the same time it would be nice if he would see the national anthem as form of honor to those who created and fought to preserve this country. After all, he is currently practicing his religion and voicing his opinion without the secret police taking him away.
But, If this guy doesn't like his home team, then mabey he should get the hell out of the stadium and go hang out somewhere else...like with some wacked out militia group or live in a great country such as Burma.
He can come to CANADA.......You guys are so self absorbed and can't see thr forest for the trees. Wake up man, look around where your nation is in the world starting with the 14.4 TRILLION dollar debt.......PRIDE will bring down many a men and nations too.
Canada.....enough said.
Until this country and its leaders actually LIVE a commitment commensurate with the lyrics of this song – in particular "land of the free and home of the brave", it's rather bumptious to simply mouth the words out of habit between bites of your ballpark hot dog. The ridiculous knee jerk jingoism displayed by many of the comments here is further evidence of that. "My country – love it or leave it" is hardly the makings of a genuine "love" of the supposed principles this country was founded to foster. As we crumble into a police state, populated largely by frightened sheep the real patriots are those fighting the erosion of our freedoms, not the mindless flag waving boobs putting symbolism ahead of reality.
Blind allegiance never comes to any good. It is, after all, both expected and demanded in totalitarian states.
Shaw once stated that "patriotism is your conviction that this country is superioer to all other countries because you were born in it." Many of the folks posting on here show him to be correct. There will come a day when you view your paradigm philosophy of patriotism in a very different light. But until then, keep watching the news and see where your patriotism leads.
The song is a history lesson telling about the sacrifice given to enable you to have the freedom to worship god( or not). No where in the song is there anything telling you NOT seperate church & state. You have the right not to sing the song but I sure HOpe you have plenty of students who still sing it at the start of games against what the elders decided.
Just another example of how organized religion causes so much of the violence in our world. It really causes people to have convictions so strongly that they want to kill or be killed to protect it. I do agree with the writer that organized religion endorsed by a state creates a very dangerous situation.
Organized religion does not promote violence in the world. There are certain individuals in some organized religions that have mis understood what their religion means and take that to the extreme. You shouldnt blame the religion, but rather the individuals that are mis using their religion. Blaming a religion for violence is alot like blaming an entrie race because some individuals commit a crime
Well, from the animosity of responses posted here, it's suddenly easier to imagine Anabaptists being tortured and killed by other Christians. Not easier to stomach, mind you, but certainly more credible in a sociological sense. My sense is that Mark expected this reaction, though. It's not terribly dissimilar to a notable first-century Jew who proclaimed a Kingdom greater than Rome and was crucified for his trouble, at the request of his co-religionists no less.
I appreciate and respect your faith and beliefs, but in my opinion you failed to make your point. I am a Christian, and try very hard to follow the teachings of Jesus and the Bible. But I see no conflict one-soever with Christianity and singing our national anthem. Christians live in many nations, each singing their own anthem to show their allegiance to their country. It is true that our national anthem reminds us of a time that was not peaceful, yet Christianity has seen many battles and peaceful times. As it was with the Revolutionary war, sometimes peace has to be fought for. The song is simply a reminder of how blessed we are for what we have, what we have accomplished, and what we need to continue to do to remain at peace. By the way...its just a song. If you don't want to sing it, then don't. But allow others to sing it if they wish. It's what America stands for...freedom.
FREEDOM, really from......... Look at your debt, substandard education system, number of poor, illiterate. Get your head out of the sand man........
If you are a reader of the bible, do you not remember the story of the 3 hebrews? Shadrach, Mishach, and Abednego. Remember they did not partake in bowing down to the image in Babylon, nor did they even go as far to singing with the rest of the people bowing down to the image? They knew that would be a detestable thing to god. And thats why people choose to not bow down to a flag or a nation. Because they give their exclusive devotion to God rather than an earthly government. It's not that they are showing disrespect or meaning to show disrespect. But they truly feel its wrong. Just like the bible CLEARY shows.
Oxymoron. "Sometimes peace has to be fought for." Menno's believe that peace can be accomplished through acts of love, giving, generosity, not war. Crazy thought I know, but we are known around the world for our acts of kindness and love – even in some of the most war-torn countries. Why? Because our Savior Jesus Christ told us to put down our sword and turn it into a plowshare. Am I an American? Absolutely. Do I enjoy the "freedoms" we've been given? Yes. Do I agree that we need to put our nose into everyone else's business if they are doing something we don't agree with? Nope. Am I a Christian? I am a follower of Jesus, so you decide.
When I hear "the Star-Spangled Banner" I can not help sing it and feel a sense of pride. And I would be very disappointed if I went to a venue and expected to hear it and did not. I was raised to honor it from my parents and from school and from leaders of this country. It is a part of me. One thing is clear, as admitted, this guy "belongs to a strange tribe" and if he, the college or his counterparts don't want to honor it, they really should move to another country. Weirdo's !
Then there would be NO FREEDOM for people. take away that and other things can start to go.
Yes, PRIDE.......That is one of the things this Christian brother is speaking about. In humility, we are to Serve and Love God as he loved us, by sending HIS son to die for us. This PRIDE will sink nations as it has already begun in the US.
"Pride" is a most over-rated and useless commodity. It only serves to exacerbate a problem, not solve it.
If I met you would you know the difference between me and any other American? If I moved in next door to you and offered to help if you needed a hand, would that be a problem? If our kids became good friends and wanted to spend every day playing in the backyard, would you have an issue with that? If I stood next to you at that sporting event and didn't sing, would you have a problem with me? If I told you that I'm a graduate of that college and a born and raised member who " belongs to that strange tribe" would you even be able to tell the difference?
Wow, what a bunch of maroons! We live in a country that allows this freedom and I'm glad there are people exercising it. All this nonsense about hypocrisy is rubbish. They aren't hypocrites, you people are for criticizing their freedom of worship and then praising the great freedoms we have. Why don't you also denounce tham for not wearing the lapel flag pin? And what federal money has this church ever gotten? They pay their taxes, which many of you try to fight, so there is no problem with a lack of citizenship. As for Toby Keith, he can come to my house, I'll show him a real ass kicking. Stupid flag-waving oaf. These responses really show how poor our education system is at producing thoughtful citizens.
America, unfortunately, is crammed to the hilt with mouth-breathers and sheep. This will only serve to hasten the demise of a once great nation.
People didn;t start singing the national anthem before sporting events until WWII anyway so who cares.
ps - seriously, no one cares
If no one cares, why are there almost 4000 comments?
I think it is interesting how some are commenting that this guy should be forced to sing the anthem or leave the country because the military fights for his rights to be free. The military also fights for his right to not be forced to pledge allegiance to the flag, a fundamental right. You can't cherry pick people's rights. If you think you can, maybe it is you who should leave the country.
He's not being forced to sing the song Nairb. He can choose to sit in his seat and be silent if he wishes...that's the beauty of this country. But the right to sing the song should not be taken away from the thousands of others that wish to...it goes both ways Nairb. That's the American way.
The sad part is, you are refusing to sing the national anthem of a country that was created by people who believed everyone had the right to practice whatever religion they choose. You are no better than terrorists in this regard.
I fought in Viet Nam in '68-'69. One of the things I thought I was fighting for was freedom of religion. The author (and Goshen) has every right to not sing the national anthem and I applaud them for exercising their right. I've often wondered how singing the national anthem before a sporting event "honors" people like my fellow Marines and the sacrifices they've made to support our freedoms. It seems to denigrate that sacrifice in my opinion.
One Vet to another....When did it (national anthem) become religous? What would you have them do? Stop playing it at all of the sporting events? How about we just get rid of it all together? Is that how we would remember those lost? When I fight I am fighting for more then just freedom of religion!!!
I sing it at our Memorial Day event, where it seems entirely appropriate. I sing it on the 4th of July. In other words, how about singing it when it makes sense, sort of like singing Christmas carols? I think the author made a case why singing it was a religious issue for him. When one freedom is eroded ("people who don't sing the anthem should live in another country" for example) all are in danger.
Again I ask......what does this have to do with his Christian values?????
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Seperating church and state? Where?
"O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation.
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust;”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!["
The last verse....
"In god we trust" is also written on our currency.... I don't see that stopping anyone form cashing their paychecks!!! The national anthem I posted is the one mainly used. I know many others have been written but I'm sure they are not as widely used as this one. At the end of the day if the school does not want to play the anthem then it does not have to. Just as they have their freedoms I have the right to say I disagree.
The verse I quoted was the last verse of the National Anthem – the Star-Spangled Banner. You are, of course, correct in pointing out that only the first verse is sung in almost every case – but doesn't that make you wonder? If it's important enough to sing, shouldn't we sing it all? It's like saying the first sentence of the Lord's Prayer in church and leaving the rest off – the meaning is drastically changed.
You're also correct to note that you have every right to disagree with Goshen – I don't think anybody is disputing that. What seems to be at issue here is that a lot of posters would like to force Goshen to have the anthem played before athletic events – and that's as unAmerican as you can get
I thought that the " . . . rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air . . . " were from the attackers, not the defenders. Or maybe I misremember my history.
The entire article is dishonest. "To Mennonites, a living faith in Jesus means faithfully living the way of Jesus." Right. Then you live in this country, paying taxes, that support all the things you're against. So your Jesus would have monetarily supported all these wars? Get off your high horse. Won't sing the anthem but you'll buy all the bombs the military needs? You can't even be honest to yourself...
Jesus was asked that very question by the pharisees. His reply was, "Give to Cesar what is Cesar's, and give to God what is God's".
Look up "war tax resistance". Some (definitely not all) Mennonites and pacifist groups practice this.
Interesting. But you didn't give a specific answer as to why you don't sing the National Anthem.
There's a plane leaving for Russa about every hour on the hour. If you hurry, you can catch one. I'll carry your bags...
A cold-war cliche from an armchair patriot.
Lord Clappe I hope you're in the seat next to this idiot... when the plane crashes!
Tea-baggers never cease to astound me, what with their over-abundance of warmth and goodwill. Oh, and you were referring to John, weren't you, Tim? Because you are right – he is an idiot.
Here is the standard national anthem......I can see where it is against his faith???????? No not really.
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Q : Why I don't sing the 'Star Spangled Banner'
A : Simple ignorance.
PLEASE check this out : http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bfc_anthem.html
get a grip. religion is RIDICULOUS.
get a grip MOST religions are riduculous.
Susan – Religion is not ridiculous – it is some of the people that make it ridiculous. It is a belief that some have added their little quirks to to make like it appears.