Amen. 5's

I was sort of with you untill the last line. There is nothing sexist or "homophobic" in the song.

Well said, 555

You cynical today? :D That "God Bless America" before sporting events now is just unifying all of us. ;)

Well, Mari, I think God Bless America is certainly more appropriate at a sports event than "Have You Naked By The End Of The Song". I don't care if a handful of athiests don't like it. The vast majority of American's do have a belief in God, and it's high time we stopped being ashamed of it.

The 7th Inning Stretch has been ruined by this song - with you all the way on this. Now I hit the beer stand during the stretch, otherwise this agnostic has to listen to the wrath of those behind me questioning why I'm not standing or taking off my cap. Can a Constitutional Amendment mandating this song be far behind the anti-gay Amendment proposed the other day? (God, I hope not) bob

Thanks, all! Dave, I don't know "Have You Naked By The End Of The Song". Is that really played at sporting events? I believe in freedom of religion but also in separation of church and state, and the last time I checked, sports arenas are not churches, although some fans treat them as such.

That title's actually the lyric to Justin Timberlake's "Rock your Body."

Well said, Mari, both in the song and in your comment above.

Mari, the song I referenced was the one Justin Timberlake exposed Janet Jackson's "talent" to during the Superbowl halftime show . Last time I checked, stadiums are not "the state". And I wish someone would show me where "separation of church and state" is in the Constitution. You know what? It isn't in there. It's just another case of liberalism running amock. Sorry, I won't agree with all your parodies (but most of them I LOVE).

Let's unseparate the Church and State. They they can start paying taxes like the rest of us.

Whuzzat? 'God Bless America' is a RELIGIOUS song? WHAT religion? So, y'all think the song isn't fit to be sung in a stadium in America. Joseph Stalin woulda loved you guys.......Jus' keep on a-drivin', Amos. We ain't in America no mo'!

You know what? That's it for me. I didn't join Am I Right for this. You want to mock God to His face, you go right ahead - but you can count me out. I've got better things to do than read attacks on decency and religion day in and day out. You can do anti-religion, fart and poo jokes 'til they're coming out of your ears.

Despite my crack, I don't think Mari is attacking God or the Church in any way. The point is that every country believes that their respective deity favors them over every other people. The extreme veiw is why we have so much trouble in the middle east. Mari was making the point that baseball, being an American sport is certainly a good excuse for a little flag waving, singing what is essentially a prayer at a game is not something everyone wants to do. And I would like to ask wiser minds than mine on this site to answer Dave's question. What is the legal basis for Church/ State separation, if not the Constitution?

Peace, Dave. Did a comment get deleted before yours? Sounds like you changed your tone suddenly. Rick knows--this was not an attack on God (maybe it came from that missing comment); it was just making fun of certain practices. I figured that I'd get some flack for this one. Maybe this parody is a bit vague in spots, too. I don't expect you to like everything that I write, either. Your support has been greatly appreciated, especially since it's from someone with your talent. Try to see where I'm coming from, though. I was inspired by a recent conversation with a Christian sports fan who agreed that GBA should not be sung at sporting events. Robert P. hit it on the head for me with his story. I respect others' rights to their beliefs and hope that they respect mine--agree to disagree, you know? We have the freedom to do this, last time I checked. The religious peer pressure following 9-11 really annoyed me, and there are a lot of people who feel the same way when they are picked on for their religious beliefs... or non-beliefs... or being different...

Rick, it isn't Mari's parody that I'm upset with (except maybe the last lines), but a lot of the comments attacking Christians that I've been reading lately. Sometimes it gets to be a bit much. As far as the "Separation of Church & State" goes - I actually do know where it comes from. A church in Danbury, Connecticut was concerned that the new country (USA) might force them to change from their own denomination to a state-controlled one, such as existed with the Anglican Church in England. The pastor wrote to Thomas Jefferson for assurance, and Jefferson responded that there was a wall of separation that protected churches from state interference with regard to such matters. That was it. Nothing more. What is being done in the name of church & state separation today was never so much as implied by of the founding fathers. If you read their writings, it's clear that Christianity was meant to be at the very foundation of this nation. Whether anybody believes that - or cares - this is what was intended by the founders. For an excellent compilation of quotes, read "America's God and Country", by William Federer. End of semon.

David, yours may be the narrowest argument against Separation I've ever read. "Nothing more"?! Only if you ignore a little thing we call the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." Oh, and 200+ years of case law. P.S. "End of semon" is a wonderful typo.

The First Amendment says it all - without which the Constitution never would have been ratified. Prior to the American Revolution, the Church of England was changing - the colonists didn't like the impending changes and wanted to ensure that the new government they were setting up could never force people to worship a certain way - they wanted freedom from religious persecution; the right to worship (or not) in any way they wanted to - hence the Separation Clause. The Bill of Rights was meant to protect the people against the government or the tyranny of the majority. The founding fathers would have been leary of any effort to inject one belief over another into the Constitution - the Constitution, being the law of the land, nowhere mentions Christianity or any other movement. By the way, I believe Mr. Jefferson was in France during the drafting of the Constitution.

Dear Separation & Robert - I was NOT addressing the Constitution. Both of you have taken completely out of context what I wrote. Rick wanted clarification on where the term "separation of church and state" comes from. It is NOT found in the Constitution, but IS from a letter written by Jefferson to a Connecticut pastor, as I stated before. You both really need to read the writings of our founding fathers, if you think what we're experiencing today with this abuse of "separation" is what they had intended.

David - with all due respect, don't tell me I need to read the writings of our founding fathers, I have and have studied American Political theory - you may want to reread my earlier post regarding the founding fathers. So, you may want to go back and read about the formation of our government - trust me, the intent was for separation for Church & State. I call you attention again to the First Amendment - and believe me, there is a reason why it's the first. The establishment clause was intended to prevent the government from creating a national religion. (You should read the Constitution David - it really is an incredible document - and it's the law.) Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

How many times do I have to say it? I WAS NOT ADDRESSING WHAT IS IN THE CONSTITUTION. I: 1) I have a copy of and have read the Constitution b) agree with what it states c) do not believe it is being applied properly in all cases. I do disagree with those who don't think our laws were founded on Christian principles and Jewish law. If you bypass this truth, then law is only what man says it is. This is what I am talking about - NOT the value of a state run religion, which I am adamantly against. It's amazing how you can take what another person was addressing and just twist it. I'm not here to argue political science and religion with you, but to enjoy parodies, Robert, including yours. Peace.

Well perhaps I misunderstood (and took exception) when you brought up "foundation" - I take the foundation of our government to be the Constitution. You're absolutely right that the founders believed in a higher power - let's face it, we can find Hobbes (and Locke) in the Constitution among others. I apologize if it appears that I was twisting your words - that certainly wasn't the intent here. (But I enjoyed the discussion anyway). You keep the faith and I'll stay agnostic. bob

Thanks Rob. Ditto.

Amen. Do the National Anthem before the game. Then let 'em play. We don't go to sporting events to think about soldiers who died for freedom. That's what monuments and cemeteries and houses of worship are for (among other things). And, with the exception of one cold night in Lake Placid, we don't go to sporting events to feel better about our country, which is what separates us from lesser lands. Face it, if your country is in trouble, winning some stupid soccer tournament isn't gonna make life any better. And Robert, as per your comment about possibly mandating "GBA," check out www.othertimelines.com, an "alternate history" website, and you'll see somebody beat you to it.

Michael, talking to you is like preaching to the choir - that's not fair to David. (Then we have to let Guy jump in and we'll never end this thing - although it is fun.) Mr. Chrenko provides a knowledgable, educated and intelligent argument which is what the founding fathers wanted to establish - right David?

Huh, whuzzat? Sorry, Robert, I forgot the question.

By the way, I just saw what Separation Angst was addressing, regarding a typo. Boy, that was a heck of a time to make that one, wasn't it!

Re-read my posts if you want to see typos - at least yours was Freudien (mine seemed uneducated). The price we pay for being passionate about our politics. Gotta love that First Amendment, right David?

Mari D - Actually, I think they ought to play Dr. John's "Patriotic Flag-Waver" at all American Sporting events. It's from way back on his "Babylon" album from the 1960's.