Worthy of Being Called "Christians"

[3113]

I was in North Beach tonight, which is close to San Diego. We'd gone on down there to meet with friends for dinner. And there I saw this billboard with this large "SORRY" written on it. A closer look and I read the following:

http://www.missiongathering.com/mysql/737.jpg

I've no inclination to convert to Christianity, but if I ever feel such an inclination, these are the people I'll be going to for baptism. This is their website. They don't seem to have any actual church but rather gather where they can. I suspect they're going to have a lot of new parishioners for Christmas Eve services.

 

[slyc_willie]

I was in North Beach tonight, which is close to San Diego. We'd gone on down there to meet with friends for dinner. And there I saw this billboard with this large "SORRY" written on it. A closer look and I read the following:

I've no inclination to convert to Christianity, but if I ever feel such an inclination, these are the people I'll be going to for baptism. This is their website. They don't seem to have any actual church but rather gather where they can. I suspect they're going to have a lot of new parishioners for Christmas Eve services.

Interesting. A Christian organization that actually seems to adhere to the basic tenets of their faith.

Imagine that.

 

[English Lady]

I like them, I really do. Looking at their website it is clear what they're about. Good on'em say I.

 

[Guest]

That's refreshing. And somehow inspiring.

There are so many bigots who claim divine rights.

Earlier this evening when we were ringing Salvation Army bells and playing holiday songs a gentleman asked if he could request a song. I said sure - and he picked "Angels from the Realms of Glory". I told him we didn't have that, as our songs were mainly secular. So he said, okay, and then he picked "O Come All Ye Faithful".

I told him again, our songs stick to the Santa type, Sleigh Ride and Silver Bells, Up on the Housetop and Jolly Old St. Nicholas, etc. The kids started shouting out all the songs we had in our list for the evening. One of them happened to be The Hanukkah Song - which they love, cool drum part, nifty rhythms, fun to play.

At any rate, when this gentleman heard that he said, "You mean you have a Jewish song but you won't play any Christian songs?"

I looked at the kids and said - "Okay. Up on the Housetop. One, two, ready, go!"

Merry Christmas.

 

[rgraham666]

Good for them.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

That's refreshing. And somehow inspiring.

There are so many bigots who claim divine rights.

Earlier this evening when we were ringing Salvation Army bells and playing holiday songs a gentleman asked if he could request a song. I said sure - and he picked "Angels from the Realms of Glory". I told him we didn't have that, as our songs were mainly secular. So he said, okay, and then he picked "O Come All Ye Faithful".

I told him again, our songs stick to the Santa type, Sleigh Ride and Silver Bells, Up on the Housetop and Jolly Old St. Nicholas, etc. The kids started shouting out all the songs we had in our list for the evening. One of them happened to be The Hanukkah Song - which they love, cool drum part, nifty rhythms, fun to play.

At any rate, when this gentleman heard that he said, "You mean you have a Jewish song but you won't play any Christian songs?"

I looked at the kids and said - "Okay. Up on the Housetop. One, two, ready, go!"

Merry Christmas.

I don't understand what's so wrong with playing Christmas music around Christmas. Is it really so offensive? I'm Jewish and I love Christmas music. It's not like it makes me want to convert or anything. But i mean, if you're celebrating a Christian holiday, why not play Christian music?

 

[Guest]

I don't understand what's so wrong with playing Christmas music around Christmas. Is it really so offensive? I'm Jewish and I love Christmas music. It's not like it makes me want to convert or anything. But i mean, if you're celebrating a Christian holiday, why not play Christian music?

Oh, but that isn't the issue, zoot.

It's not the religious aspect, it's more the availability of quality music for this age and ability group.

My choirs always sing a wide variety of sacred and secular music. If the gentleman had requested a sacred song the night the choir was there he would have gotten his wish.

Sacred music just isn't as available in holiday book for middle school bands, though. It was more cost effective to get the selection I found.

I have a feeling there's going to be a snarky letter to the editor about how we are somehow discriminating against Christians. He was seriously pissed.

Didn't care about the hours we spent in the cold raising money for charity, of course.

 

[Darkniciad]

I suspect they're going to have a lot of new parishioners for Christmas Eve services.

Mi$$ion accompli$hed.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Oh, but that isn't the issue, zoot.

It's not the religious aspect, it's more the availability of quality music for this age and ability group.

My choirs always sing a wide variety of sacred and secular music. If the gentleman had requested a sacred song the night the choir was there he would have gotten his wish.

Sacred music just isn't as available in holiday book for middle school bands, though. It was more cost effective to get the selection I found.

I have a feeling there's going to be a snarky letter to the editor about how we are somehow discriminating against Christians. He was seriously pissed.

Didn't care about the hours we spent in the cold raising money for charity, of course.

Oh.

You have any mouthpieces freeze to lips?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

SARAH

Odd. The Salvation Army is a Christian denomination. I suspect you get-off busting chops with the music.

When I was working and visiting schools, I often saw Muslim and Jewish and Kwaanza decorations in the schools at Christmas, but never any nativity scenes. Jesus is out.

My GF, who's Jewish, correctly reminds me that Jesus was Jewish...so why is a menorah okay and the nativity scene not okay? Well its how the Liberals like SARAH can make some political change for the pot while they ring the bell.

Lets hope there's a special place in Hell for you.

 

[cloudy]

SARAH

Odd. The Salvation Army is a Christian denomination. I suspect you get-off busting chops with the music.

When I was working and visiting schools, I often saw Muslim and Jewish and Kwaanza decorations in the schools at Christmas, but never any nativity scenes. Jesus is out.

My GF, who's Jewish, correctly reminds me that Jesus was Jewish...so why is a menorah okay and the nativity scene not okay? Well its how the Liberals like SARAH can make some political change for the pot while they ring the bell.

Lets hope there's a special place in Hell for you.

Oh, please.

You think God actually gives a shit whether they play sacred songs or not?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

CLOUDY

I care that SARAH uses the occasion to inflict her pathology on innocents. SARAH is the dog in the manger.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Oh, please.

You think God actually gives a shit whether they play sacred songs or not?

You think jbj actually gives a shit about anything he says or not?

Why are you reading his posts? You have far more important things to do, like petting dogs... kissing me...

 

[R. Richard]

I don't understand what's so wrong with playing Christmas music around Christmas. Is it really so offensive? I'm Jewish and I love Christmas music. It's not like it makes me want to convert or anything. But i mean, if you're celebrating a Christian holiday, why not play Christian music?

Normally I can go along with what you have to say. However, If I have to listen to 'Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer' one more time, I'm afraid I'll kill the people who own the store and then burn the place down. A man can only stand so much.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Normally I can go along with what you have to say. However, If I have to listen to 'Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer' one more time, I'm afraid I'll kill the people who own the store and then burn the place down. A man can only stand so much.

Around here, it's the artsy songs-- Mannheim Steamroller, and Harry Connick. It's just as irritating after the thirtieth iteration. I've managed to stay the hell out of almost every store this year.

I've gone up to managers and thanked them for not playing Xmas music!

 

[3113]

"Oh Hanukah" is about as much of a Jewish song as "White Christmas" is a Christian song.

 

[3113]

Mi$$ion accompli$hed.

Having looked at their website, and presuming they're honest, and presuming I'm reading what you're saying right and not misunderstanding you completely...I'd say that cynicism is really unjustified and rude.

This is does not seem to be a big or wealthy church. That billboard cost them. The quickest and easiest way to lure in paying customers would be to have the usual billboard that I see in these instances. Something like: "Prayer can solve all your problems" because it has broad appeal and offers no view that might turn off potential customers. Showing support for gay rights, however, is very risky for a church. There's the possibility of hate male and protests and nuts crashing your services to do violence. And you could lose a lot even without that. Case in point: Supporting gay rights and making them inclusive in your church has split the Episcopalian church. They are losing as many people and money as their inclusivity has gained.

So I don't think the cynicism warranted here. Not at all. Of course, yes, all religions want followers. But that doesn't mean that all religions or groups of any stripe are after the money those followers can bring them and nothing more. If that's the case with this one, then they blew it. If, however, their aim was to display their true spiritual feelings and religious beliefs to the gay community and the world, irregardless of any potential negative results, and only because they sincerely felt this was the right thing to do...then I think they succeeded.

 

[Safe_Bet]

...Sacred music just isn't as available in holiday book for middle school bands, though. It was more cost effective to get the selection I found....

ANYTHING by "Da Yoopers" counts as "sacred music" in our house.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

STELLA

THOU PROTESTS TOO MUCH. Surely people are starting to wonder if maybe I give you an uncomfortable tingle.

 

[epiphany65]

I don't understand what's so wrong with playing Christmas music around Christmas. Is it really so offensive? I'm Jewish and I love Christmas music. It's not like it makes me want to convert or anything. But i mean, if you're celebrating a Christian holiday, why not play Christian music?

"White Christmas" was written by Irving Berlin, “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was written by Johnny Marks, “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” was written by Jule Styne and Sam Cohen, "Silver Bells" was written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, and "You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” was written by Dr.Seuss. All of these men were Jewish.

 

[rengadeirishman]

boobies

 

[JudeRodney]

"White Christmas" was written by Irving Berlin, “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was written by Johnny Marks, “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” was written by Jule Styne and Sam Cohen, "Silver Bells" was written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, and "You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” was written by Dr.Seuss. All of these men were Jewish.

And every last one of those songs is secular. Aren't these people talking about the lack of sacred carols?

btw, I make it my life's mission to avoid "Feliz Navidad". I've only made through Christmas once without it.

 

[Guest]

Oh.

You have any mouthpieces freeze to lips?

Couple of valves stuck, sure. That's normal.

But no frozen lips.

If mine ever get that way I'll give you a call.

 

[Guest]

ANYTHING by "Da Yoopers" counts as "sacred music" in our house.

I have the CDs.

 

[Guest]

Cloud warrior, you know I adore every bit of your red-tinged ass, but why on earth are you quoting JBJ? I could go years without reading his shlock.

Don't make me come down there.