GOSHEN, Ind. – A small Christian college with ties to the Mennonite Church has decided to stop playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at sporting events after some complained the song’s images of war and the military undermined the school’s pacifist message.
Goshen College announced Monday that its board of directors instructed President Jim Brenneman to find an alternative to the national anthem “that fits with sports tradition, that honors country, that resonates with our core values and that respects the views of diverse constituencies.”
The 1,000-student college has only been playing the national anthem for a year. In March 2010, it began playing an instrumental version, followed by a peace prayer, before games and other events. The school said at the time it would review the practice after a year.
Rick Stiffney, chairman of the school’s board of directors, said the decision to stop playing the song was difficult because board members had “significant differences and conflicting perspectives.”
“So this decision was not easy and took many hours of discernment and prayer. Our resolution represents our best effort to find a path of wisdom that we could endorse together,” he said. “We recognize that some people may not be satisfied with this decision, but we believe it is the right one for Goshen College.”
Chemistry professor Douglas Schirch, who had opposed the playing of the national anthem, said he is pleased.
“Not because I don’t respect my country, but because the college should only use that type of ritual to honor God,” he said.
