War on Christmas Is a War on American Values
By: Todd Starnes
It’s good to see Americans standing up for American values like the 1st amendment and religious liberty 🗽 as well as for our kids. A win for the good people.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The war on Christmas is really a war on the foundation of our nation – the belief that we are one nation under God.
And the effort by leftists to silence the Reason for the Season is no trivial matter, as I wrote in my new book, deleted [ph]
The latest battle front in the war on Christmas is South Sutter Charter School in northern California.
Brooklyn Benzel, a 13-year-old eighth grader, was told she could not perform an instrumental version of “Joy to the World” because the song is too religious.
“The education specialist said the song might be deemed inappropriate because it might be too religious,” Julianne Benzel said deleted [ph]
Mrs. Benzel, who is running for Congress, initially dismissed the teacher’s concerns, but the following day she received an email that confirmed the song had been banned.
“They told me the song was too religious to be submitted,” she said. “They told me words like savior and heaven might be crossing the line.”
Yes, good readers, it seems as though the school feared words like Lord and Savior and Heaven might deleted [ph]
So the school suggested that Brooklyn consider playing a more secular holiday tune like deleted Bells.”
“Her justification was that it was more culturally appropriate,” Mrs. Benzel said.
Now, at that point the Benzel family had a choice – they could either accept the charter school’s censorship or they could fight back.
Mrs. Benzel decided to go to war.
“There’s no way I’m going to relent,” she said. “I could have easily submitted a new song, but the next thing you know the First Amendment is dead.”
Pacific Justice Institute, a law firm that specializes in religious liberty cases, threatened to get involved at the request of Brooklyn’s family – and in a matter of moments – the charter school reversed its decision.
“Thank God for Pacific Justice Institute,” Mrs. Benzel said. “It’s a sad day when you have to invoke them but that’s why I’m so grateful for them.
So here’s the moral of the story: when a public or charter school tries to silence Christian boys and girls, it is imperative that moms and dads rise up and jingle somebody’s bells.
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The war on Christmas is really a war on the foundation of our nation – the belief that we are one nation under God.
And the effort by leftists to silence the Reason for the Season is no trivial matter, as I wrote in my new book, [deleted.]
The latest battle front in the war on Christmas is South Sutter Charter School in northern California.
Brooklyn Benzel, a 13-year-old eighth grader, was told she could not perform an instrumental version of “Joy to the World” because the song is too religious.
“The education specialist said the song might be deemed inappropriate because it might be too religious,” Julianne Benzel said [deleted]
Mrs. Benzel, who is running for Congress, initially dismissed the teacher’s concerns, but the following day she received an email that confirmed the song had been banned.
“They told me the song was too religious to be submitted,” she said. “They told me words like savior and heaven might be crossing the line.”
Yes, good readers, it seems as though the school feared words like Lord and Savior and Heaven might [delete]
So the school suggested that Brooklyn consider playing a more secular holiday tune like ["deleted] Bells.”
“Her justification was that it was more culturally appropriate,” Mrs. Benzel said.
Now, at that point the Benzel family had a choice – they could either accept the charter school’s censorship or they could fight back.
Mrs. Benzel decided to go to war.
Myth!
The Constitution?
Whose belief exactly? Certainly not mine!
It's just paranoid delusion.
Perhaps you've heard of the separation of church and state? Public schools cannot promote religion.
I have no doubt these same Christians would have been losing their minds if a student was allowed to play some death metal song with words like Dark Lord, Satan and Hell at a public school event.
Are arranged musical notes religious? Is that what you are considering religion in this case?
The "song" in question here was to be an instrumental.
No words, so not really the same thing, is it?
The song is the song: Joy To The World. The song has words, the words are the song. The song has music, the notes are the song. Therefore, Joy To The World is the song.
Probably.
The song itself is religious.
It's still the same song.
There is no evidence that the state is speaking in this case. It sounds like it would be the student only, based on the information in the article. Thus, any constitutional limitations on government expression would not be relevant.
However, even if the student were performing as part of a school group (and thus representing the school), school orchestras and choirs around the country routinely play religious music as part of their programs and it is not considered a violation of the 1st Amendment. It's art.
It seems like this is a school function or event, or otherwise sanctioned by the school. Therefore, it is not just "student only."
Or perhaps no one has said anything yet.
Oh, they definitely do. Many of the cases are settled one way or the other rather than spend money in the court system.
We've had a couple of cases in circuit court that allowed sacred music in school events. SCOTUS cert was not granted.
As long as the primary purpose isn't religious, it's fine. So, generally, choirs, orchestras, and individual students are ok to play religious music because usually, the setting is musical education and performance or holidays like Christmas or Easter that have a combined religious and secular framework.
In a recent case, religious music was not allowed at a graduation but that was on the grounds that the listeners were considered a "captive audience."
I'll take your word for it.
I disagree. Musical notes are not religious.
The words to the song are religious in nature. The musical notes are not.
Is an instrumental the same thing as a song?
Absolutely not. An instrumental is the musical component of a song that is created and/or propagated by the accompnied instruments, or in general non-lyrical sounds. A beat is a pattern of similar notes that occur at regular interals along a timed sequence.
The music is composed around the lyrics.
Yes!
So if you heard an instrumental version of the National Anthem, then it's not the national anthem?
Music notes are not religious. Music arrangements fit into categories and genres. Joy To The World! (1697) has words written by Isaac Watts and published in 1719 in The Psalms of David: Imitated in the language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian state and worship -with accompanied metered music. It was 're-scored' by Lowell Mason, a music arranger and composer, of American church music in 1848.
There is your category, genre, authors, and periods for the song, Joy To The World!
Now you can argue anything. But, it won't change the facts and the intent of the song and its musical arrangements, plural.
Incidentally, when you can hum Joy To The World! without lyrical content springing to mind let me know please.
I would recognize the tune as our national anthem.
But the words make a song.
anthem:
anthem
(Classical Music) a song of loyalty or devotion, as to a nation or college: a national anthem .
(Classical Music) a musical composition for a choir, usually set to words from the Bible, sung as part of a church service.
(Classical Music) a religious chant sung antiphonally.
(Pop Music) a popular rock or pop song.
Anthem - definition of anthem by The Free Dictionary
www.thefreedictionary.com/anthem
Ask yourself this then:
Would a person who never heard "Joy to the World" consider it at all religious in nature if they only heard the music to it, not the words?
Would the same person be able to possibly recognize it as some type of religious song if they heard the words accompanying the music?
The person who has never heard the song, "Joy To the World" but found its score interesting would be struck to ask how the score came about. Upon which time s/he would be informed of the music tie to a song background:
Joy To The World! (1697) has words written by Isaac Watts and published in 1719 in The Psalms of David: Imitated in the language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian state and worship -with accompanied metered music. It was 're-scored' by Lowell Mason, a music arranger and composer, of American church music in 1848.
This action would occur with any music composition, such as Swan Lake Dance of the Little Swans, would be discovered to be a part of ballet on background.
That is a nice theory, but unrealistic.
Plenty of people hear a song or a tune and just enjoy it without knowing anything about how it originated.
There is no way you can tell if a tune is religious or not by merely hearing it once.
That is not the point (argument) of the policy, is it? The song is a product of its writer, its music composer, and its meaning.
You can not separate any of these out of it-without neglecting its proper value. At which point one would have to ask why the conspiracy to be anything less than genuine. Moreover, it is unrealistic to state that anything one finds "enjoyable" one would not wish to duplicate and hear from twice or thrice or several times over. Leading to deeper inquiry. . . .
I will go a step further in saying it is how we end up with many misinterpretations, half-truths, and outrageous lies in 'play' around us, due to attempts to skirt the truth.
Playing a tune without words is different than singing a song.
From the article:
The student wasn't going to be saying those oh-so-offensive words, so what is the policy here?
No words, so no violation of policy.
Therefore, the tune is the song too. It is recognized as such
There are songs that are instrumental only. Words alone are just lyrics.
What musical notes make a "song" religious?
How do you determine a song is religious by merely hearing its tune?
Would someone who has never heard "Joy to the World" recognize it as religious from the tune alone? I think that would be one hell of a stretch!
Well now, that is a finer argument and a distinction for 'parties' involved to make. It is not the higher argument as to the character of the song, Joy To The World .
On the other hand, upon hearing the first notes and chords the tune would 'right itself' in the minds of anybody who knows it or have been impressed on it in passing. The song is its whole value.
For example: Tchaikovsky - Violin Concerto in D major has no extraneous lyrics or identities (such as ballet) to distract it or lend itself to . The instrumental is the whole value.
So do you think that whenever one hears "Joy to the World" on the radio or some playlist in a restaurant or business, the station or business is promoting a religion?
Let's not beat this to long, eh? You have my views. What do YOU hear when "Joy to the World" is played? Because that is about as good an insight as you are going to get about such a popular melody and song.
As for me, as a Christian born and raised, departed and returned to faith, I know the words to the song! So, I am indefinitely 'compromised.'
People are waaaaay too sensitive about this type of thing.
Imagine when you were a child, someone complaining about a song that isn't offensive--even to nonbelievers--when it is a Christmas song!
As a Christian, did you ever hear Jewish songs? Were you convinced that someone was trying to establish a state religion or promoting Judaism?
This whole "controversy" is hogwash. If someone thought that the school, or the student, or the town was trying to establish a state religion or convert someone to Christianity they need to get a grip on reality.
"Joy to the World"---as long as some cupcake isn't pissed or faux-offended about it.
Bah, humbug.
I agree with you this can be considered 'hogwash.' Now then, can you tell that to the Seeder?
War on Christmas Is a War on American Values—
—No indeed.
The war on Christmas is really a war on the foundation of our nation – the belief that we are one nation under God.
And the effort by leftists to silence the Reason for the Season is no trivial matter, ....So here’s the moral of the story: when a public or charter school tries to silence Christian boys and girls, it is imperative that moms and dads rise up and jingle somebody’s bells.
It's the song itself that makes ithe religious. It's reasonable to assume many (or most) people in this country have heard religious Xmas songs. So they're like to identify a song as such just from the music alone. That seems to be part of the issue here.
The nature of the song itself is religious.
Sorry, but I no longer respond to slurs like "leftists." (Smile.) I'm straightening up my social media space for the upcoming New Year.
As I pointed out @ 1.1.23 Tchaikovsky - Violin Concerto In D major is the proper primary form of an instrumental. It's secondary form is to take a well-established lyrical song and express it musically . The second 'state' being popularized only because of its known quality beforehand. "Joy To The World" is lyrically known and can not be treated as instrumental only . No matter how long Texan tries.
Also, I asked a question of Texan above. Can he hum the tune for "Joy To The World" without the lyrics coming to mind? I think he can not, for the words are what characterizes it and causes interest in the musical notes. He bypassed the question.
I wonder if most Christians would consider it appropriate for children to perform the instrumental version of George Michaels "I want your Sex"?
I mean, it would be instrumental, right? No one would be singing along, right? It wouldn't be weird for young school girls to get all jazz funky with the instrumental rendition of such a classic song, right?
Personally, I would consider even an instrumental version of that song being played as highly inappropriate for a public school function. So it being instrumental doesn't really make any difference.
I think the subject of religion should be viewed just like the subject of sex in school.
Sure, when you're in 6th or 7th grade you have someone come in to the school one day and you go to the auditorium and discuss all the worlds religions, they show you a bible and Koran, they show kids how to roll a stocking onto a yule log, etc. But then, no more projects about it, no asking kids to put together collages of naked body parts cut out of Cosmopolitan Magazine, no singing "I want your sex", or "Sexual Healing" at school events or even instrumental versions played. Once they become adults they can explore their sexuality and religion all they want, but not in public school.
I meant to reply to this Wednesday. Oh well. No , I do not think the any of the group you offered are necessarily promoting religion. Context matters. Generally, the song is a Christmas carol hymn. Yet make no mistake about it the song is a hymn .
Tell the seeder yourself. Use your words.
Well, if I have to BREAK IT DOWN it loses it umph! Heartland American won't accept it from moi.
I wonder if they would ban an instrumental playing of Ode to joy because Joyful Joyful We adore Thee uses the same tune and Christians in the audience might assume the latter?
Can we ban articles about The War On Christmas? Now that would be worthwhile.
Nothing like a bit of censorship to please the liberal base. Isn’t MBFC enough censorship to satisfy the liberals here?
We are under God? You and me, we are under God, Heartland American? Okay, let's test your statement. Under God I adjure you to tell me it is your expressed opinion that a satanist should be allowed to sing a 'hallowed' song during this program> Yes or No?
'Back in the day' of NewsVine, there was a satanist, who used to try to vex me with satanic 'verses' and antics and I thought it wrong—until I read this and on my car radio daily i hear show host Jay Sekulow (of American Center for Law and Justice fame and Donald Trump's current lawyer) breathlessly beating the tambourines of cultural Christmas as a battle cry.
I can't recall that former NewVine individual's handle. I know some of our "good readers" know of whom I write. That one was tenacious about it, too.
You know, In God we Trust our national motto and within our sacred pledge, one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all. You do realize the stupidity of the schools initial position? Trying to ban a musical instrument playing of a Christmas carol song. When a band or orchestra plays a song without a choir singing the words people are listening to the tune only and the non religious and godless wouldn’t have had a clue as to the actual words. The secular progressive agitators were more concerned about taking something away from the believers they see as their enemies rather than exposing neutrals to beliefs.
Actually,as a believer, I am not bothered by Christian songs enhancing others. However, there is a point of order involved in this. If conservatives intend to call a thing a culture war and make money off it (every year indefinitely), and promote causes from their self-dealing affairs, and cuss and curse others not wanting to participate, then you must be true to your decision. Others can sing their "religious" songs and post their signs and 'follies' too. As the saying goes: One person's 'riches' is another person's 'trash.'
If Joy To The World is allowed. Then, the 'door' pops open. And every qualified song around should be allowed, no matter how unfamiliar.
It was never originally in the motto or Pledge nor did the Founding Fathers put it there. And you said you trust what the FF said, right?
What do you base that assumption on? Someone needs to be religious to know the lyrics of a religious song? Is that what you're saying? Words or not, the song is still the same song.
A Sweeping generalization and paranoia.
'It was never originally in the motto or Pledge nor did the Founding Fathers put it there. And you said you trust what the FF said, right?'
That was during the Red Scare - the Russkies are coming! The Russkies are coming!
Now they're here and in the now White Trash House.
That is true. Even then, the phrases were pushed by religious conservatives and groups, including organizations like the Knights of Columbus.
The absolute truth. The FFRF is that hateful and vile.
That statement is utterly meaningless coming from you.
They are here and forever more will be. As to liberals houses, that’s not something I specialize in.
simply ridiculous
no. That would be the majority of statements coming from you.
I see you're reduced to a "I know you are but what am I" style retort. How droll.
White Trash house was when the Clintons lived there with their bubba supporters.
Like most of the statements coming from you are?
My statements isn't petty, juvenile tripe like "White Trash house was when the Clintons lived there with their bubba supporters." Yours seem to be empty declarations void of any substance or value!
A good self description on your part. Droll indeed.
And yet you didn’t respond in like manner to your friend using that term about Trump in the White House. There’s a term for that kind of double standard....
I was addressing you in this discussion.
Says the guy slinging insults and sweeping generalizations. Hilarious!
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We aren't told the context of why the student would be performing in the first place, so it's hard to know with certainty what would be appropriate.
In very general terms, though, there isn't usually a reason to censor a student. It's not the state speaking; it's the student speaking. It's her culture; and she's part of the larger culture; so it's hard to see how it would be culturally inappropriate. But again, we lack context.
Not only that it was instrumental which means no one would have been singing the actual words that the school initially used as an excuse to censor on behalf of FFRF bigots and haters.
That's a good point.
Thanks...
What exactly are American values? I have the same problem with Texan values. \
Are they the values of former slaves? Are the values of Oriental Americans? Are they the values of Muslim Americans?
Seems to me that whenever someone says American values, they mean Southern Baptist,western european values which hardly emcompases all of america.