For months, bright chartreuse signs have heralded the coming of a big party at a local park. Bumper stickers slapped on cars around town, magnetic signs and, more recently, ads in the local newspaper have all announced the Central Washington Festival Oct. 1 and 2 at Walla Walla Point Park in Wenatchee.
The name and signs suggest nothing more than fun in the park. Come for some food and family entertainment, they say. Come watch exhibitions of BMX bikes and soccer. Come listen to some well-known bands perform and see Stephen Baldwin, the actor. It all seems plain enough, until you realize that the festival is sponsored by about 120 churches, and that it is just as much a revival as a festival.
This weekend, the faithful have converged in Wenatchee.
Featuring a slew of Christian musical acts, the festival is quite an attraction. Organizers announced they expected 10,000 to 15,000 people each day, and made arrangements for remote parking and buses to shuttle festival-goers to the venue. There is a food court and even the VeggieTale cartoon characters all appearing live at the grassy park on the shores of the Columbia. And, in a spectacular attraction, the Force Ministries Sky Diving Team will also drop down from the heavens, bright blue parachutes showing starkly against this weekend's cloudy backdrop, an American flag attached patriotically to the foot of the glider.
This weekend, the faithful have converged in Wenatchee, and they are trying to take over.
At the high school football game Friday night, the game ball was delivered by the holy sky divers. Through a sprinkle of rain, the parachuter descended to the field, again with the United States flag attached to leg. The flag is not a symbol of Christianity, and the Christians do not own it. And, honestly, they should stop wrapping themselves in it -- literally and figuratively.
So let the faithful converge in Wenatchee. They have as much right to rent buses and a park and open their concert up to the public audiences, even in the rain. As I compose this, it is a driving rain, too, the kind we don't see here often.
But don't wave a flag and advertise a festival as something other than it is not. It's a revival, a chance to spread the gospel, a congregation of people of faith around a message of faith. Mention the prayer tents adjacent to the food court, and that spectators are likely to be asked about their faith or to accept a savior at this festival. Call it what it is, and be honest with the public. It's sky diving for Jesus.
-- Wenatchee, Wash.
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...so Christians can't be patriotic?
That's not what I meant. Of course Christians can be patriotic, as can Jew, Muslims, Buddhists and atheists. The annoying part is the Christianization of secular symbols and institutions: the American flag, wholesome values, family and military. Chrostians don't own those symbols as part of their faith, but some people act like they do.
-- L.
About the sky divers at the football game: you oppose the use of the American flag by the Christian skydivers. "The flag is not a symbol of Christianity, and the Christians do not own it," you said. So what would be more appropriate...a cross, perhaps?
The Christians do, in fact, own the flag...along with the Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, athiests, and any other people of any religious (or non-religious)groups who live in, love, and support our nation. There's no reason they can't display it proudly. Patriotism of this form should be encouraged.
Loganite, your point simply doesn't make sense...the message should be that even if Americans can't unite as one religion, they can at least unite under the common love for our nation. Would you frowm upon Muslims for flying an American flag at a Mosque?
See the skydivers at the football game for what they really are: professional performers who just happen to be part of a Christian organization. The city of Wenatchee had the opportunity to witness a special performance. The divers may have been in town for a Christian event, but that affiliation should not keep them from sharing their unusual talents with the rest of the community. It especially shouldn't mean that they can't proudly display their nation's flag. To deny the people at the game the opportunity to witness the performance because the divers were of a certain religion would have made absolutely no sense.
And as for the festival ("revival") as a whole...what exactly are you afraid of, Loganite? No one is forced to go, no one is forced to stay once they arrive, there is no admission fee, and no one is forced into the prayer tents. The festival workers would love nothing more than to introduce others to Christianity, but they certainly can't (and isn't something that can be forced anyway...just look at the Spanish Inquisition.
Even if a person does come out of the festival as a new Christian, is that really such a bad thing? It would be by choice, not forced or through brainwash...what exactly is the issue here?
Loganite, in general, I have great respect for your opinions. I don't always agree with you, but your views are typically well-researched and supported by fact. However, in this case, I am truly struggling to understand your logic...and your concern.
I agree with Loganite. All along the organizers have used disingenuous (but tried and true) "bait and switch" tactics. BMX? Music? Festival? Bad actor? Why withhold the information? It's a Christian camp meeting, and should have been advertised as such all along.
Just what about "truth in advertising" frightens the folks behind the CW Festival? WWJD? Well, the Jesus I know wouldn't use cheap promotional tactics to bullshit me into going to his festival.
MrPibb, thanks for the compliments about my usual posts. Let me clarify some things.
Of course, everyone owns the flag, and everyone has the right to use it. My problem comes with the implication from some Christians that somehow they own it more or are more entitled to use it because they may have more traditional beliefs.
My other concern is the habit of Christians to disguise their Christianity and the spreading of their faith through dishonest or not-quite-completely-truthful means. The Central Washington Festival this weekend is just one of several examples. Having the Force Ministries Sky Diving Team carrying a huge flag disguises the group's true purpose. In fact, the announcer's script (which I read as the game announcer) did not mention anything about Christianity, faith or ministries when the divers landed in the field.
The fact that the CWF did not have any reference in its name or signage or slogan to indicate to people the Christian mission seems a bit peculiar to me. Perhaps organizers knew that being open about the true mission would turn people away even before the organizers had a chance to ply them with BMX shows and Christian-lyric music.
Young Life is another strong example of this tactic. It uses tactics that seem innocent and secular, yet participants are eventually presented with a pitch of faith.
People have the right to have a faith -- any one they want. And I don;t oppose that. I have many close friends who are of strong faith, and that is their choice, which I respect. I do not respect dishonesty and baiting tactics, especially when the tactics include targeting unsuspecting children and landing with the American flag at a public school sporting event.
It seems that Christians would be able to attract a lot more people to their faith if they worked hard to let the product of that faith stand on its own instead of masking it behind a circus and the flag.
-- L.
To the anonymous above me: they had everything they advertised, so it wasn't exactly false advertising or "cheap promotional tactics." The "bait" is present, but not the "switch."
Oops...I was just re-reading my post, and I noticed a rather glaring error in the last sentence of the third paragraph from the end. It should have said, "...but they certainly can't (and don't) try to force it on people. Faith isn't something that can be forced anyway...just look at the Spanish Inquisition.
I apologize for the error. But back to the point...Loganite, I don't think they are trying to "mask" the faith by having the other attractions at the festival. I think they're simply showing that Christianity isn't all about sitting for hours in an uncomfortable pew, listening to a boring old man ramble on seemingly forever, and singing the same old hymns over and over again. I believe Young Life's goal is similar.
I don't think that the announcer's script at the game was hiding the "true purpose" of the skydivers. That night, their "ture purpose" was to land on the field and entertain the fans. They fulfilled their purpose, and didn't make any kind of a "pitch of faith."
Don't forget that at events such as the festival and Young Life, no one is forced to accept the "pitch of faith." The audience isn't captive; people can come and go as the please, and no one can force them to listen.
I believe that almost anyone of faith would agree with the following: faith is not something into which one can be tricked. It's a major decision, one which requires conscious, willful commitment. It's impossible to simply bait someone into it.
Clearly, we're coming from very different perspectives on this particular issue. I appreciate your civility, Loganite...not all bloggers are so kind.
Loganite
Your position is not defensible. Mr Pibb did a great job of pointing out how weak your false advertising and use of the flag arguments are. Simply put, if Christians don't have the right to display the american flag and to advertise in this way, then no one does. Freedom of speech is too important to accept your position.
I do agree with you that some Christians believe they own certain symbols and institutions. These people are mistaken; these things can't be owned by one group and not another. Having a set of core beliefs does not exclude anyone else from sharing some or all of those beliefs. One day I came to realize the mistakes of man do not either prove or disprove the truth. On that day my mind was set free.
Anonymous and MrPibb-
You are misrepresenting Loganite's position.
The purpose of the sky diver was to excite the crowd, yes. However, the true and primary intention was revealed through the announcement while it was occurring: to encourage participation and attendance at the Festival.
Secondly, Loganite is not saying no one owns the flag as a sign of patriotism. Everyone may exhibit their nationalist pride in any way they see fit; however, to surreptitiously veil the true intent of a festival is unacceptable in his view.
Also, I don't read Loganite's objections as "fear" but of frustration with the hidden agenda of the festival. I know that I went to one event describe as a setting for "educators" to show support for the community, but it was in actuality a means to preach "the word" and to invite conversions. This was done as a precursor to the festival, and I honestly felt this to be disingenuous. In this I agree with Loganite.
I think this is also part of a larger issue: the use of secular symbols for religious causes. This lessens the division between church and state, and many feel this is unconstitutional. This also aligns with the view that the local festival should not have been endorsed by the high school or any of its outside activities since the school is government run and cannot promote a religious bias of any sort.
Be careful when rephrasing his positions. You are obviously misrepresenting his points of view.
"This lessens the division between church and state, and many feel this is unconstitutional."
This makes it sound like the use of the flag by the skydivers was unconstitutional. Perhaps one could make the argument that the use of religious symbols for secular causes is unconstitutional, but not the other way around. You can certainly make the argument that the use of the flag was wrong (although I don't see a problem with it), but unconstitutional and a violation of the separation of church and state? C'mon.
About the festival hiding its true purpose...a quick visit to its website makes it quite clear that the festival was a Christian event.
Whether or not you agree with the festival's advertising strategies, the bottom line, courtesy of mrpibb, is this:
"...no one is forced to accept the "pitch of faith." The audience isn't captive; people can come and go as the please, and no one can force them to listen."
You may not like the idea of the unconstitutionality of the position; however, when a government funded institution endorses a religious function of any sort or for any religion, this is considered a violation in many circles.
Plus, my (and Loganite's I believe) point about the flag is that religious groups attempt to equate the symbol of the flag with the religious group, sect, or denomination. Thus, if one is against the use of the flag in such a manner, the individual is seen as unpatriotic or anti-religious or both. Also, this equation is not necessarily just or right.
Also, MrPibbb is correct that no one attending is captive, but they were drawn under some false pretenses if the only mentioning of the religious affiliation must be gleaned through the website. Since it is not on the banners, signs, or radio announcements, this validates Loganite's position. People had to search out the affiliation. I agree with Loganite that this is dishonest to evade the true purpose or agenda.
If the festival were for a religion or denomination that was unpopular, people would be up in arms over this. Since it is a popular group, people do not have a problem with it. This, I feel, is wrong as well. We live in an area where the promotion of Christianity and its tenets are readily accepted in any venue, which is not always right or constitutional.
The high school needs to be wary here. Because a couple groups of religious affiliation have been allowed to post signs and announcements, any group (no matter what religion or skewed view) must be allowed or it's unlawful. This is the larger issue.
Disagree if you wish. I have followed the blog trail, and I understand your position will not waver.
The reasons the skydivers came was to cause excitement for the festival. They came specifically for that weekend. If it was about football, they would have been there for other games. Plus, I heard part of the conversation by two administrators who stated the sky divers were for the festival and knew there would be a large audience at the game.
Secondly, this is not about Christianity per se, but how there was an ulterior agenda to the festival. One had to search out the true intent. It was not obvious.
Also, I would object to anyone of any religion doing the same. I simply believe that because Christians are the majority that they often seem to think it's ok to bend some rules or blur some ethical lines because not many people will object, or at least not enough to cause change. If it's wrong for one, it's wrong for all.
P.S. You capitalize Christian but not Muslim--subconscious bias? Just kidding. :)
"If it was about football, they would have been there for other games."
You can't have a special event like that for every game. The opportinuity was there last week for a special performance, and the school wisely took advantage to create a memory for students. It was an important game, and an elaborate pre-game show was appropriate.
Your use of "wisely" could be debated because of the aforementioned reasoning.
The sky divers approached a school official to promote their festival. It was not coincidence. Football was not the motivation.
While I agree the sky divers were fun to watch, the reason for the performance was to endorse a religious function. I believe both Loganite and I have stated our opposition to such actions for any religious group. Had they simply been there to gather excitement for the game--without promoting the festival--no ethical dilemma would've occurred. There is a difference.
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