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In reply to the discussion: I changed the channel when Battle Hymn of the Republic started [View all]nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)143. Patriotic
And it took those overtones during the civil war, not the present. The transformation for it into a deeply patriotic song took place during that very bloody civil war. It's origins are with the abolitionist movement as you correctly note.
It's also a hymn in the African American community. I don't know about you, but this is an African American President being inaugurated. This choice by Schumer, he is the one who chose it, is a nod to the community from a Jew.
So if one gets all those historic nuances, I can forgive them of using it. And Lord knows I know exactly where I lost my faith in a higher power. I also know we are not gong to have a ceremony like oh...Mexico's. our separation of Church and State is not that strict. Nor ave we fought several bloody civil wars over the issue either.
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I'm not real religious anymore either, BUT those choir members sang their a$$e$ off!
TheDebbieDee
Jan 2013
#255
No, the original reply that spawned this sub was intentionally offensive.
Egalitarian Thug
Jan 2013
#269
Some reports say the tune came from camp meetings, and then was sung as "John Brown's Body."
Brickbat
Jan 2013
#82
I knew that very well. Having performed it myself numerous times, I probably am more aware of that
Occulus
Jan 2013
#140
lol. The battle hymn was short, then they got back to business. but oath was on big bible
Liberal_in_LA
Jan 2013
#246
why don't you save your ire for something that actually matters, like state funding to religious
HiPointDem
Jan 2013
#258
i don't believe in God and i find the OP stupid, reminds me of wingnuts crying about spanish
JI7
Jan 2013
#278
I feel sorry for you that you can't understand that religion, and a specific religion, Christianity,
HERVEPA
Jan 2013
#65
Did you feel sorry for gay people when they complained about Rick Warren last time? (nt)
jeff47
Jan 2013
#249
No, I wasn't fine with it. But Battle Hymn of the Republic pushed me over the edge.
MotherPetrie
Jan 2013
#31
Too bad. It was a beautiful performance; the soloist had a gorgeous voice.
The Velveteen Ocelot
Jan 2013
#24
And I'll bet you would have stood up and cheered had Bush included this in his inaugurations
MotherPetrie
Jan 2013
#49
I feel the exact same way. Sick of this religious stuff - this shouldn't feel like a
forestpath
Jan 2013
#39
You can't rationalize it with all your words and insults. It excludes people.
forestpath
Jan 2013
#94
I didn't call you a Christian. And I am not intimidated by your rage and threats.
forestpath
Jan 2013
#152
I can appreciate your sentiments but find it rude to try to bring others down. nm
rhett o rick
Jan 2013
#51
And I think much of the response was so ugly and insulting that no discussion would ever
forestpath
Jan 2013
#202
Huh? Are you trying to equate the OP with the Civil Rights struggle? Good grief.
rhett o rick
Jan 2013
#216
Yeah, the seats at the back of the bus still get to the same destination, right? (nt)
jeff47
Jan 2013
#165
I think you broke the record for most logical fallacies in one post. Go bother someone
rhett o rick
Jan 2013
#217
context Matters , complaining about someone who wants to kill gays is not the same to me
JI7
Jan 2013
#288
your comparisons are pathetic, comparing saying the N word to someone mentioning God
JI7
Jan 2013
#282
one is hate speech, just mentioning God in itself is not hateful, that was the problem with Rick
JI7
Jan 2013
#284
I know its history -- I still find it utterly inappropriate and exclusionary
MotherPetrie
Jan 2013
#59
The melody originally supplied a song celebrating the life and death
coalition_unwilling
Jan 2013
#75
Your post is one reason my long-running love (hate) affair with DU continues
coalition_unwilling
Jan 2013
#131
Interesting story. Thanks for posting. (In elementary school we were taught that the
1monster
Jan 2013
#170
The line "He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored" always
coalition_unwilling
Jan 2013
#272
If you are offended, it is your right to turn it off and I do not fault you for that at all. However
1monster
Jan 2013
#190
It was written during the civil war, and like it or not it is part of the history of this country.
still_one
Jan 2013
#68
That's pretty nasty. You think Dr. King's christianity is what made him great?
Walk away
Jan 2013
#84
+1 apparently you are not an absolutist, which would, of course, mean that you are God.
patrice
Jan 2013
#155
Some poets say you are a song & you don't have to believe in music to hear it.
patrice
Jan 2013
#176
When Chuck Schumer introduced it I thought that was weird. It's a Jesus song...
Walk away
Jan 2013
#78
Too bad you missed out, it's a beautiful song and it was done beautifully. A shame that you're so
Raine
Jan 2013
#93
They're really playing up the Emancipation Proclamation/MLK/African American President synergy
deutsey
Jan 2013
#97
And yet your Constitution is not a Christian document. Quite the reverse as I understand it.
mr blur
Jan 2013
#222
You know, every once in a while I wonder if I should declare myself an athiest.
bklyncowgirl
Jan 2013
#138
People expressing their 1st amendment right to religious expression is not an occasion for outrage
bklyncowgirl
Jan 2013
#229
Yes, it's only people talking, it's not like 70% of the public wouldn't vote for an atheist
jeff47
Jan 2013
#237
OMG, so many posts from people who must have just arrived in the U.S.! Welcome, immigrants!
WinkyDink
Jan 2013
#161
Richard Blanco made all of those connections. Sky figured prominently in what he said. nt
patrice
Jan 2013
#273
So an abolition song rooted in religion makes you feel excluded, but you're fine with Rudolph? n/t
hughee99
Jan 2013
#173
I imagine that sooner or later, we'll evolve to the point in which any song sung, poem read...
LanternWaste
Jan 2013
#207
great cultural/anthropological retort to the OP and general observation
arely staircase
Jan 2013
#221
As one of "no Faith," in either the imaginary or even you fine people... That was one of
ScreamingMeemie
Jan 2013
#259
Everyone in this thread should read this article & decide what's going on with certain kinds of OPs.
patrice
Jan 2013
#266
Like we're a bunch of babies whose brains are so easily re-programmed, we need NANNIES to tell us
patrice
Jan 2013
#305