I attended the 2008 Battle of the Bands in support of the band from my local high school and must acknowledge that though I love the guys of The Planets and respect their skills as musicians, the experience of older and better-practiced musicians in other bands was evident.
However, with all due respect to the professional judges, I believe the results were inconsistent with Junior Achievement's stated rules and standards of the event; at the very least indicating the judges' lack of understanding of the local populace and sponsorship.
Rule #2 states, "Absolutely no obscene, offensive lyrics or gestures while performing will be tolerated. It will be the sole decision of the panel of judges to determine what is obscene or offensive. Breaking of this rule is grounds for immediate disqualification."
Yet with sponsorship including the Saint Mary's/Duluth Clinic Health System, the judges awarded second place to a Colmekill. This band is named after a place of the dead. Their presentation included gesturing multiple times a hand sign whose uses include Satanic glorification, and their lyrics made open mockery of the Christian expressions contained in the simple childhood prayer "Now I lay me down to sleep..." This mockery included using the Name of the Lord in vain.
As a minister of the good news of Jesus Christ, inviting people of all backgrounds to seek a culture of Life, I protest the public glorification of a band which gives honor to a culture of death and has openly bashed the faith of many in our northern Minnesota communities. Had such disparagement been made of Judaism or Islam, significant protest would certainly ensue. While the development and holding of reasoned personal opinions and beliefs is to be cultivated and defended in our society, it is entirely uncalled for to have public bashing of religion be promoted and glorified by a secular non-profit organization such as Junior Achievemnt.
I call upon Junior Achievement to find healthier means of involving our community's young people in business development than what the current "Battle of the Bands" has demonstrated.
Sincerely,
Rev. Martin Wenger
International Falls, Minnesota
218-286-3316
I have been informed, by an...
Back to page topI have been informed, by an anonymous caller on my telephone, that the song including lyrics of "now I lay me down to sleep..." was not performed by Colmekill, but by another band. I look forward to any opportunity to review the video/audio of the concert to confirm such information. If I have named the wrong band I will offer personal and public apology, and I seek to set the record straight. I also am awaiting a phone call which Junior Achievement promised in their email to me 2 weeks ago.
no comment at this time........
Back to page topno comment at this time.....
The Reverend seems to have a...
Back to page topThe Reverend seems to have a legitimate point and deserves the support of reasonable citizens of all faiths.
I do question why he finds it necessary to add a sideways insult to Islam and Judiasm in his comments. It had nothing to do with the context of his concerns. Why go out of your way to offer a dig to your religious competitors? It's like the Chevy dealer not being able to pass up the chance to rip Ford and Chrysler as long as he's up front talking about something else. Their god also happens to be your god. Be nice.
Kay------after reading the...
Back to page topKay------after reading the Reverend's letter a couple of times, I didn't see where he in any way insulted the religions that he mentioned. I don't know him but it read to me that some religions wouldn't have stood for such a such a public bashing of their religion. That's the way I understood it.
Sorry six-shooter I never...
Back to page topSorry six-shooter I never commented on this topic.
Kay--- so sorry about that....
Back to page topKay--- so sorry about that. That's what old age and not wearing my cheaters does. Once again I apologize. Good to see your name tho.