Indiana School Stops Playing Star Spangled Banner

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Francis Scott Key was a reluctant patriot, who was against the war against the British at first. But after the bombardment against Fort McHenry, he wrote a poem that later became our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, in 1831.

The night of September 14th, 1814, Baltimore celebrated the victory over the British at Fort McHenry. Baltimore was saved, and the Americans would not have to give their allegiance to Britain again. Shortly after, a settlement was agreed upon, and the American momentum towards its Manifest Destiny continued.

War was what it took to win our Independence, and to protect ourselves against the first invasion of America during the War of 1812, and the burning of Washington DC, military might was our defense. Despite the horrible aspects of war, it was military operations that forged this nation.

A small northern Indiana college affiliated with the pacifist Mennonite Church disagrees, and the school has decided to stop playing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at sporting events.

Some folks were upset whenever the school played the national anthem because the song's lyrics contain references to using war and military might to defend the country.

Without military strength, peace cannot be maintained, and our sovereignty as a nation is at risk. The Mennonites have every right to do as they please, but if all of America believed as they do, we would have ceased being a nation long ago.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

No more national anthem at pacifist Indiana college - WTHR Indianapolis