Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by JRD2008

Posted by Mikismom

I had no idea that was a religious song

Neither did I. I also didn't know God Bless America was either...I know they use the word God, but to me it was always more about being proud of your country. But hey, you learn something new everyday!

As for the original question, I am not Jewish, but if DS heard Jewish songs it would not bother me. Doesn't make it wrong that it would bother you though. Your kid, and if you do not feel comfoable having Talia hear that song, I would absoloutly say something. Good luck!

Same here - I never took God Bless America as being anything other than being a proud American.

It wouldn't bother me and I would also like for Jack to learn and sing songs about other religions.

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

I probably wouldn't care but DH would. He has a problem with anything that mentions God being taught to children in schools or other non religious settings. So no I don't think it's strange that it bothered you.

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

I'm a dance teacher and I have never played the song...but it wouldn't occur to me not to.(I guess I personally don't consider it religious) I have a ton of children's CD and I know that it is on a few of them. The teacher might have just been playing a CD and ran it. You can tell her that it offended you and see how she feels. If you really like everything else about the gym,,,I would just let it go!

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

i am not really a religious person and personally can't stand anything "god related" shoved down my throat/in my face in a non-religious setting. i'm the person who was about to go postal when the announcer at a transit station told everyone over the PA system to have a "blessed day", but i digress...

this song for some reason doesn't bother me and i wouldn't think twice about it. if it did bother me, i'm not the type of person to complain, i would just make a mental note and elect to send my DD elsewhere in the future. i pick and choose my battles, this one would be a non-issue and i would let slide...

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

I think as long as it bothers you then YES you should say something.
I am unsure if I would have even noticed it but I can relate bc I have been in places where I have been like about something going on but I havent said anything not knowing if I am right or wrong. I say go with your gut. They will never know if you dont speak up.

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

Don't all religions believe in a "Lord"

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

i consider myself agnostic (raised catholic) and would have no problem having DS sing that song. he's being raised catholic.

i consider god bless america a patriotic song, not a religious song at all. i WANT DS to learn and sing it proudly.

i personally wouldn't have a problem with DS dancing to, or singing along with, that or any other song of that nature. i want him exposed to all types of music and culture. if i limit him because it's not from *our* religion or culture, i feel as if i'm denying him access to learn about others.

just my opinion.

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

I am christian as well as my children, I want them to be exposed to all religions to learn tolerance and to have the knowledge of other faiths. I personally do not care when and where they hear it. I do not get the whole time and place issue. Any time my child can learn or be prompted by something(a song) to ask a question, is a good time to me.
JMO

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

I am not jewish and no this would not bother me at all.
I never thought either song to be religious at all

I think its a WONDERFUL thing to expose our children to ALL religions- ALL people around us!

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

I'm Jewish, and I never even thought of Kumbaya as a religious song. but you're right- it is.

It wouldn't bother me. The reference to "lord" to me can be a reference to Hashem.

When I get stressed, I say the Serenity Prayer. I know it is a Christian Prayer, but when I refer to "G-D", I refer to MY G-d and it grants me peace.

But if it bothers you, and I definitely see why, I would say something. Its totally reasonable.

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

May I ask why songs like God Bless America and Kumbaya would be offensive. I mean technically Christians and Jews worship the same God, just in different ways. I could see if the songs were Kumbaya my Jesus or Jesus Bless America, then yes by all means it would be something that should be addressed.

Not trying to start drama, but I really dont get it

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

I don't think it's a question of offensive versus not offensive. Not everyone believes in a G-d so in that case, as I have said before, I feel its innappropriate to sing in a secular setting. Its not a Jewish vs.Christian thing - more like believers versus potential non-believers issue. Sure you can opt out of singing, but when you pay for something like that, you shouldnt have to.

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

I do consider Kumbaya to be religious because of the mention of "Lord" in the song. As a Catholic, I have sung both of these songs at Masses, so I would say they do have religious undertones to them, JMO.

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

Posted by stayandjohn

May I ask why songs like God Bless America and Kumbaya would be offensive. I mean technically Christians and Jews worship the same God, just in different ways. I could see if the songs were Kumbaya my Jesus or Jesus Bless America, then yes by all means it would be something that should be addressed.

Not trying to start drama, but I really dont get it

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

No. it wouldn't bother me. But I don't think anyone should go by me because it takes a LOT to get to me.

My kids listen to a lot of world music. They have heard many religious prayer songs from a variety of different cultures. I don't label them as "Hindu" or "Jewish" or "Catholic" in a religious sense. I just call it music. As long as the message isn't one of hate or intolerance it is okay by me.

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

Message edited 9/16/2008 6:48:56 AM.

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

Posted by monkeybride

Posted by stayandjohn

May I ask why songs like God Bless America and Kumbaya would be offensive. I mean technically Christians and Jews worship the same God, just in different ways. I could see if the songs were Kumbaya my Jesus or Jesus Bless America, then yes by all means it would be something that should be addressed.

Not trying to start drama, but I really dont get it

What about people who don't believe in God and don't want their children singing about God because they don't believe in it?

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

I always thought - even growing up - that if the words had God or Lord in it, it didn't mean the "Non Jewish" kind unless Jesus was thrown into it.

What makes Kumbaya geared toward a specific religion? It's a beautiful song that has the word ord in it... Jews say Lord when talking about God, don't we?

Message edited 9/16/2008 6:57:47 AM.

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

Not very religious here.

I think it's a strange choice for gymnastics too. I would think the teacher was (1) super religious or (2) very granola.

The latter wouldn't bother me if the intent was to gather & commune. If the intent was to convert my children or teach them about the g-d, I would be extremely annoyed.

Then again, I'm annoyed at the PTA for my children's public school. This year's fundraiser has a jewelry catalog with crosses - and I was raised catholic.

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

Posted by MrsR

Posted by stayandjohn

Posted by Goldi0218

I don't think it's a question of offensive versus not offensive. Not everyone believes in a G-d so in that case, as I have said before, I feel its innappropriate to sing in a secular setting. Its not a Jewish vs.Christian thing - more like believers versus potential non-believers issue. Sure you can opt out of singing, but when you pay for something like that, you shouldnt have to.

I do understand that if the original poster said she was Atheist or Agnostic I can see her having a problem, but she said "as a Jewish mother would this bother you"? I'm asking purely because I dont find the word "Lord" or "God" particuarlly offensive (for lack of a better word) when someone has stated that they do belong to a religious affiliation.

I don't find g-d or lord offensive either, but I always associated Kumbaya with being a catholic song. I don't know why or where I learned that...but I am glad I posted about it because now I see that even some jewish people learned the song growing up and I was wrong about it being catholic.


eta: That being said, I am still not sure gymnastics is the place for it...but it's not that big of a deal.

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

My DH's family is jewish and i am catholic...I can see why you were taken aback by it...at dh's cousins bar mitzfah which was 2 weeks before xmas, the dj played frosty the snowman and rudolf the red nosed reindeer during some games they played and DH's family FREAKED! They made the dj stop, and gave him a tongue lashing.
I questioned everyone to why and it was because they were christmas songs and even though jesus wasn't mentioned santa was and that meant it was catholic.
My Dh's grandfather thinks Valentine's Day is anti-semetic and got all offended one year when unknowingly i sent them a valentines day card.

So basically everything is open to interpretation..personally, i was taught that the major difference between catholic and judaism is we both go off the old testament which is GOD and we found our savior hence new testament.

I can see why you got upset cause it took me MANY years of discrimination based on MY religion from DH's family to realize why. DH's aunt rather have her 14 year old daughter hang out with 18-19 year old boys til 1am drinking and smoking then have her join a Church group with some of her "good" friends cause god forbid if she uttered the word jesus. True story, i swear, and i flipped on her.

Now the word Lord...that has many meanings...But we must teach our kids tolerance of all religions, races, and colors, in school she'll learn about xmas, kwanzaa, and hanukkah as well as any other religion any kid in her class practices. My MIL is a pre k teacher and around the holidays she has to give each equal time.

I'd let it go...

Re: jewish moms (or other) would this bother you? (might be controversial)

I dunno, its an old folk song that we sang at camp for years, it wouldn't bother me. Yesterday I was at Waldbaums and the muzak was playing "Michael Row the Boat Ashore, Hallelujah" and I thought it was an odd strange choice, but I did sing along...

Message edited 9/16/2008 7:54:12 AM.