Church choir sings 'Make America Great Again' song to Trump

[bigheadfred]

Most religion is a political system, IMO.

Is this how it is done?

The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement Wednesday:

We congratulate President-elect Donald Trump on his election as president of the United States.

We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to join us in praying for the president-elect, for his new administration and for elected leaders across the nation and the world. Praying for those in public office is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints. The men and women who lead our nations and communities need our prayers as they govern in these difficult and turbulent times.

We also commend Secretary Hillary Clinton and all those who engaged in the election process at a national or local level. Their participation in our democratic process, by its nature, demands much of those who offer themselves for public service. May our local and national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people.

[roamer_1]

They were not 'hailing' Trump, they were 'hailing' our country!!

Then let them sing "God Bless America" or "Oh Beautiful".

[corbe]

   @libertybele you are always so Dear to me, but WTF did not call you a Liar, he insinuated that you were being dishonest in your post and that is just his opinion to which he is entitled, as we all are.  Let's try and enjoy this Holiday celebrating our Nations Birth.

[INVAR]

It was God's people putting faith in government the same way the Hebrews demanded a king from Samuel.

^^^ THIS!

It was made very clear the last decade, that this people want a defacto king.   I was mistaken to assume that it was only the Leftist Socialists who wanted a monarch to rule us. 

No one will admit that openly aside from those who openly declared they wanted Obama or Trump to act as a dictator, but the millions who believed that Obama or Trump were going to  single-handedly 'fundamentally transform' the nation or 'save' the country made their desire manifest.

Last year it was made clear that the majority of this people want to be ruled by a person of vile character that they would make king/queen and assume a monarchy/Dictatorship as the way to get what they want.  Hell I have relatives who vote Republican who sound no different than Hillary supporters in terms of the things they want Trump and government 'do' to "MAGA".

Yet they reject where our greatness came from, and no more want to hear of the Holy One of Israel anymore than the Hebrews did.  The rest are pretty much indifferent altogether.

That songs are written and sung to campaign slogans heralding a politician as some kind of tool to make us great is simply yet another finger in the eye of Him whom made us great to begin with.

[XenaLee]

   @libertybele you are always so Dear to me, but WTF did not call you a Liar, he insinuated that you were being dishonest in your post and that is just his opinion to which he is entitled, as we all are.  Let's try and enjoy this Holiday celebrating our Nations Birth.

Just as.... her opinion that he is a creep for seeing dishonesty in her post (where there was none) is a valid observation, IMHO.  People that assign dishonesty to others that easily are suspect themselves re: honesty, in MY opinion. 

But really, let's not be insinuating that someone is lying in the first place.... and then maybe we can enjoy this Holiday celebrating our Nation's birth.  Eh?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with re-instilling pride in our youth for our country; something that is much needed.  There is however something very wrong when people find fault with those promoting pride in America.  We've taken the pledge out of most schools, the word "God" cannot be used yet the teachings and premise of Shariah law is being allowed to creep into our school system.  A church choir promoting "Make America Great Again" should be music to everyone's ears; at least to those ears who believe that America is Great!  They were not 'hailing' Trump, they were 'hailing' our country!!

[corbe]

    Contrary to popular belief, I am a Man of few words @XenaLee and you stated the correct position so much more eloquently Thank You.
 

[truth_seeker]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with re-instilling pride in our youth for our country; something that is much needed.  There is however something very wrong when people find fault with those promoting pride in America.  We've taken the pledge out of most schools, the word "God" cannot be used yet the teachings and premise of Shariah law is being allowed to creep into our school system.  A church choir promoting "Make America Great Again" should be music to everyone's ears; at least to those ears who believe that America is Great!  They were not 'hailing' Trump, they were 'hailing' our country!!

#nevertrumpers' Trump hatred, blinds them from seeing simple, common sense gestures of pride in their country.

They look at a forest of Patriotism, and see a tree of Trump and criticize the forest. I call it obsession.

[jmyrlefuller]

#nevertrumpers' Trump hatred, blinds them from seeing simple, common sense gestures of pride in their country.

They look at a forest of Patriotism, and see a tree of Trump and criticize the forest. I call it obsession.

Says the guy obsessed with making smarmy and snide remarks toward anyone who dare not share his elitist worldview.

[corbe]

#nevertrumpers' Trump hatred, blinds them from seeing simple, common sense gestures of pride in their country.

They look at a forest of Patriotism, and see a tree of Trump and criticize the forest. I call it obsession.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VJwe1yc84w

[XenaLee]

    Contrary to popular belief, I am a Man of few words @XenaLee and you stated the correct position so much more eloquently Thank You.
 

 

[XenaLee]

#nevertrumpers' Trump hatred, blinds them from seeing simple, common sense gestures of pride in their country.

They look at a forest of Patriotism, and see a tree of Trump and criticize the forest. I call it obsession.

Well.... I guess I'm just a #sometimesnevertrumper then.... cause I see this issue as a nothing burger... even though I disagree with and dislike most of Trump's behavioral traits and quirks....which mainly center on his tweeting addiction.

[txradioguy]

#nevertrumpers' Trump hatred, blinds them from seeing simple, common sense gestures of pride in their country.

They look at a forest of Patriotism, and see a tree of Trump and criticize the forest. I call it obsession.

*yawn*

[Smokin Joe]

Just as disgusting and reprehensible no mater who some stupid false idol song is sung to.

You don't do stuff like that in a House of God.

Though I'm sure that there will be some here to lecture us and tell us why it's different with Donny. 

Last I heard, The Kennedy Center in DC was not generally accepted as a house of God, though there are some Democrats who might think differently.

If the preacher wants to get all gooshy over Trump or any other human, that is between him and them, and if he wants to try to speak for The Almighty in relation to other humans and His approval or otherwise, there's a place for that, but a scriptural basis might play better with thinking, Bible-believing evangelicals.

Had this been in a church, and not a more secular venue, I would have invoked the First Commandment and not the First Amendment, and would feel differently about it. Last I heard there was no problem with church choirs singing secular stuff, so long as they kept it clean. After all, Ronald Reagan said "Make America Great Again", too.  The Almighty knows their hearts, otherwise, it's just a gig.

[Smokin Joe]

#nevertrumpers' Trump hatred, blinds them from seeing simple, common sense gestures of pride in their country.

They look at a forest of Patriotism, and see a tree of Trump and criticize the forest. I call it obsession.

[HonestJohn]

I disagree; it wasn't a political rally at all; quite the opposite.  It wasn't a pro Republican or pro Democrat rally, it was a rally to promote pride in our country.  A country whose pledge contains the words; "one nation under GOD"!  Our currency contains the words "In GOD We Trust"!  Our country  is great because it was clearly founded upon Christian principals, morals and FAITH,  NOT political correctness!  America is great because of the Christian outreach into our communities and other countries and cities across the globe.  "America" without her, what would the world be like?  Think about it.

Our form of government was created by Freemasons, not Christians.  And "In G-d We Trust" never specifies which one.  For Freemasonry never assumes that humanity knows which religion is the right one, only that there is someone/thing behind our universe and everything in it.

If you prefer a 'Christian' nation... Italy, France, England, Sweden, Poland, etc. are all available to you.

[Emjay]

First Baptist Church in Dallas...Robert Jeffress...figures.

The First Baptist Church in Dallas is a legendary institution.  The Church has had some incredible pastors over the years.  One of them helped an elderly mentally challenged relative get into the Eastern Star Home.  I need to look all of that up. 

The first Pastor was so great, people thought he WAS the Church and could never be replaced but he was replaced by an equally beloved pastor.

This Jeffress guy I really don't know much about, except that he is radical in some of his beliefs.  He was a particular thorn in the side of my gay Episcopal priest friend.

Oddly enough, this friend went out of his way to welcome a Muslim mosque to his neighborhood.  I guess he didn't realize that, while Jeffress is critical of gays, he would never actually stone or behead one.

[Emjay]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with re-instilling pride in our youth for our country; something that is much needed.  There is however something very wrong when people find fault with those promoting pride in America.  We've taken the pledge out of most schools, the word "God" cannot be used yet the teachings and premise of Shariah law is being allowed to creep into our school system.  A church choir promoting "Make America Great Again" should be music to everyone's ears; at least to those ears who believe that America is Great!  They were not 'hailing' Trump, they were 'hailing' our country!!

Where is our 'like' button?  I want to use it for your post.

[Emjay]

From the article, the choir, from the First Baptist Church in Dallas, performed at the “Celebrate Freedom Rally” Saturday at the Kennedy Center

Last I checked, the Kennedy Center (for the Performing Arts) is in DC. I saw a fine production of Shakespeare's Macbeth there when I was in High School. Outside the church, outside of a church service, any choir is just a group who sing together, under a specific director and name. Some do it better than others.

From that article, this was not held IN a church, the church choir went elsewhere and sang, as a group.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir used to do this too, iirc, as have other church choirs over the years. Whether those songs in the repertoire so blatantly sucked up to a particular politician is up to the individual to decide, but I don't recall such blatant ass-kissing since "Greensleeves" was on the Program during JFK's administration (It was allegedly his favorite song, although perhaps a little less obvious in catering to a particular ego--I like Greensleeves, too).

Had this been done in the church, with the heraldry of Christ covered by secular heraldry, I would opine an objection which would much more forceful than just noting some brown-nosing.

America is the greatest nation on Earth, already.

It can be restored to better economics, a great deal can be improved (generally by removing the burdens, roadblocks, and regulatory impediments of government as practiced and returning to our Constitutional roots), by government relinquishing the stranglehold it has on far too many aspects of our everyday lives. But we retain the capability to do all those things, including removing those governmental fetters, whether we have the political will and personal gumption to accomplish them or not. That's what makes America Great.

If it makes folks feel better, sing away.

You are the first person to make note of the fact that the well-known and widely respected First Baptist Church choir sang at the Kennedy Center and that this was not held in the Church.

Thanks.

[Emjay]

I think the difference here between what the MTC does and what this church is doing is that when the MTC performs somewhere, it's generally accepted that the Latter-Day Saints don't officially endorse what's going on. Many religious organizations and leaders have taken part in political functions to provide invocations, blessings, prayers and the like. To me, there's nothing wrong with that and it's to be encouraged.

What First Baptist appears to be doing here is explicitly endorsing a political candidate's agenda, one that is of questionable connection to the gospel it alleges to preach. The official church choir sang and the pastor spoke praising the candidate's agenda. In essence, First Baptist Church, as a congregation, is promoting a narrow political agenda centered around one person, and that person is no Jesus Christ. They're treading dangerously close to idolatry.

Hey, you are dangerously close to heresy. 

[Emjay]

Just as disgusting and reprehensible no mater who some stupid false idol song is sung to.

You don't do stuff like that in a House of God.

Though I'm sure that there will be some here to lecture us and tell us why it's different with Donny. 

I assume you didn't read the post explaining that this was a rally at the Kennedy Center and not in the Church and the word 'Trump' was not in the lyrics.

Don't over-react.  It lessens your credibility here.

[Emjay]

Then let them sing "God Bless America" or "Oh Beautiful".

I understand that the choir sang a variety of patriotic songs.  Get off it.

[Emjay]

#nevertrumpers' Trump hatred, blinds them from seeing simple, common sense gestures of pride in their country.

They look at a forest of Patriotism, and see a tree of Trump and criticize the forest. I call it obsession.

What a great line!  And totally applicable to a bunch of good folks around here.  I'm gonna repeat it, it was so good.


They look at a forest of Patriotism, and see a tree of Trump and criticize the forest. I call it obsession.
[/quote]

[txradioguy]

Last I heard, The Kennedy Center in DC was not generally accepted as a house of God, though there are some Democrats who might think differently.

If the preacher wants to get all gooshy over Trump or any other human, that is between him and them, and if he wants to try to speak for The Almighty in relation to other humans and His approval or otherwise, there's a place for that, but a scriptural basis might play better with thinking, Bible-believing evangelicals.

Had this been in a church, and not a more secular venue, I would have invoked the First Commandment and not the First Amendment, and would feel differently about it. Last I heard there was no problem with church choirs singing secular stuff, so long as they kept it clean. After all, Ronald Reagan said "Make America Great Again", too.  The Almighty knows their hearts, otherwise, it's just a gig.

I understand where you're coming from...but in all honesty the first thought that came to mind reading your response was this:

Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Any other day of the week any hour either side of the service...it's a secular building.

But during the time this happened...it's a House of God.

[txradioguy]

I assume you didn't read the post explaining that this was a rally at the Kennedy Center and not in the Church and the word 'Trump' was not in the lyrics.

Don't over-react.  It lessens your credibility here.

I suggest you read Matthew 18:20  Then perhaps you can put aside your Uber Trump partisanship and understand where I'm coming from.

Donny made himself all about MAGA...a stolen slogan from a real Republican.

Only the most blind partisan will think it wasn't a paean to Trump.

[Emjay]

I understand where you're coming from...but in all honesty the first thought that came to mind reading your response was this:

Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Any other day of the week any hour either side of the service...it's a secular building.

But during the time this happened...it's a House of God.

I think there is a slight possibility that you are splitting hairs.

Anyway, I don't liked to see the great First Baptist Church of Dallas maligned because it has been a force of good for over a hundred years in Dallas.  I don't like the current pastor... he is a hate monger but that shouldn't take away from the good that Church has done.

I looked it up because I could not remember the names of the two great pastors... Truett and Criswell.  Criswell is the one that helped my relative.

First Baptist Dallas is a Southern Baptist megachurch located in Dallas, Texas. It was established in 1868 and, as of 2016, has a congregation of about 12,000.[1] The church, considered influential among evangelical Christians in the United States,[1] also owns and operates a school, several radio stations, and Dallas Life, a mission for the homeless on the southern edge of Downtown Dallas. The current pastor is Robert Jeffress. Jeffress is currently leading the congregation in a $130 million campaign to re-create its downtown campus. The project is the largest in modern church history.

In 1897, the first of the two most notable pastors, George Truett, accepted the position of Pastor and remained there until his death in July 1944. In 1944, Dr. W.A. Criswell became the pastor of the church. During his tenure, the church expanded to multiple buildings covering five blocks in Downtown Dallas, eventually becoming the largest Southern Baptist church in the world. Dr. Criswell became Senior Pastor in 1990 and Pastor Emeritus from 1995 until his death in 2002. Since 1990, four pastors have held the pulpit: Joel Gregory, O.S. Hawkins, Mac Brunson, and, currently, Robert Jeffress.