Hey Goshen: How about “No Anthem, No Funding?”


My friend marfdrat has this interesting story about Goshen College, a Mennonite-based school in Indiana. They’ve directed their President to “find an alternative to playing the Star-Spangled Banner that fits with sports tradition, that honors country and that resonates with Goshen College’s core values and respects the views of diverse constituencies.”

Yes, Mennonites are tradionally pacifists and they get deferments from the military because of their belief. But in this case, Goshen is shunning one aspect of the American way while boldly reaching out their hands for another aspect…money.

Go to Goshen College’s financial aid page where you’ll read:

File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov to be considered for federal, state and institutional need-based aid.

What our fine peace-loving friends are doing with the National Anthem while willingly accepting federal money is…to say the least…hypocritical.

That very same anthem that Goshen disdains celebrates the very same country that gives them that religious freedom…and a hefty chunk of change.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

So, what’s it gonna be Goshen? Are you going to stand on principle?

Because if you are…there’s a hefty price tag.

1 comments

    • Betsy Ross on August 27, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    There is a difference between the school receiving funding & the students receiving federal aid. I agree that as a religious institution it should not receive federal funding. However, the students are a different entity & should not be treated as religious institutions. I went to a Catholic (because of its high quality of education) college but am very much not Catholic. I am grateful for the federal loan money I received while going there. Institutions & students need to be kept separate.

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