Does the Rev. Steve Bailey think that once it abdicates its own cultural identity, Britain will have any ability to stand up to jihadis and Sharia supremacists?
Most likely, he has never given that a moment’s thought. He no doubt assumes that Islam is a Religion of Peace, and that if we show enough good will and provide enough money to the Tiny Minority of Extremists among Muslims, they will be integrated into British society, and everyone will march together into the glorious multicultural future.
“Vicar bans Onward Christian Soldiers hymn from Remembrance Sunday service in case it offends non-Christians,” by Amie Gordon, Mailonline, October 27, 2017:
A vicar has banned the rousing Onward Christian Soldiers hymn from a Remembrance Sunday service ‘in case it offends non-Christians’.
Furious members of a Royal British Legion club are now planning to boycott the service at St Peter’s Church in Oadby, Leicestershire after the Reverend Steve Bailey banned the hymn.
Participants march into the church to the traditional hymn at the end of the service every year.
But RBL members claim this year the vicar vetoed the hymn because people at the service would not necessarily be Christian.
Pete Green, chairman of the Oadby Royal British Legion club, said: ‘It is absolutely unbelievable. I have been going to Remembrance Services in Oadby since 1967, and Onward, Christian Soldiers has been sung ever year apart from one.
‘That was a few years ago, when another vicar tried to ban it. There was uproar then, and there is uproar now.
‘I’m disgusted, to be honest. As a result of the vicar’s decision I’m refusing to enter the church. I’m just going to lay a wreath.
‘We had hoped he might change his mind, but he is adamant it won’t be sung. He has refused point-blank. He says it is because we live in a multi-faith society – but people of all faiths serve in the British military, and have died for this country in wartime.
‘We also have many different religions within our 400 members here, and no-one has ever complained to me about it. The whole thing is quite upsetting really.’
Mr Green, 71, added: ‘Every year we lay our wreathes in Oadby, then walk half-a-mile or so to the church and walk in to Onward, Christian Soldiers. It is tradition, and I don’t see why he has to change it.
‘I’m hoping it will be changed back for next year. Sadly I think the church might be half-empty for the service this year – people really do feel that strongly about it.’
Onward, Christian Soldiers is a 19th-century English hymn which was adopted by the Salvation Army as its favourite processional.
The words were written by Sabine Baring-Gould in 1865, and the music composed by Arthur Sullivan in 1871.
The theme is taken from references in the New Testament to the Christian being a soldier for Christ.
Ramanlal Anand, a Hindu member of the legion, said he was ‘shocked’ when he heard the song had been banned.
The 77-year-old added: ‘I couldn’t understand it. I don’t see why anyone would have a problem with it at all.’
Ian Thorpe, 61, vice-chairman of the Oadby club, said: ‘I am not aware of a single complaint ever being made about the hymn being sung. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.
‘I have been attending that service since I was a child, and can always remember it being sung. Everyone here is very annoyed. It’s political correctness gone mad really.
‘If we went to a mosque we would not expect them to change their service to suit us, we would respect their traditions.
‘Its been sung by the legion since 1921 and its been part of the service since at least 1967.
‘The parade has people from all nationalities and backgrounds, from Sikhs to Hindus, and bikers, and each one of them is proud to stand there and sing this hymn.
‘We’re a multicultural town and proud of it but this is tradition and to change that out of fear of offending someone is ridiculous.
‘We know the hymn isn’t about soldiers of war, it was written before the wars, but it is symbolic and we should be able to sing it.
‘It is simply to honour the fallen and one family is planning to stand outside the church to sing it anyway, and I think many people will join in defiance.
‘Its just one man’s decision which has gone against the will of most people, from various religions, who all think we should be allowed to sing the hymn.’
In a statement issued by the Diocese of Leicester, Rev Steve Bailey said: ‘We agreed the change in hymn with the Oadby Royal British Legion who run this major civic event because members of the community from a wide range of cultural backgrounds attend this parade, service and laying of wreaths at the war memorial.
‘It is because the legion’s committee recognised that people from different faiths served in the Armed Forces that we will be singing All People That On Earth Do Dwell instead of Onwards Christian Soldiers….
Dawn says
Really ! Nuff said !
Custos Custodum says
Look at the “vicar’s” face. What is he signaling about himself?
Would you trust him to stand up to a bully? Would you trust him to stand up for ANY principle?
john spielman says
just another stupid dhimmi- what Stalin referred to as a USEFUL IDIOT
John Forbes says
ANOTHER USEFUL IDIOT FROM THE LEFT & THIS TIME A CHRISTIAN CHURCH MEMBER !
LET US ALL HOPE THAT A BAN AGAINST THIS WORKS ON A APPEASING COWARD LIKE THIS !
I STILL FIND IT HARD TO FATHOM WHY THE CHURCH – BOTH CATHOLIC & CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONTINUALLY BUY DOWN TO ISLAM ??
STUPIDITY, COWARDICE , DO NOT UNDERSTAND ???
M.ashcroft says
No you certainly wouldnt trust him he.s an absolute disgrace and i was one that served that church so long the vicar deserves all he gets i wouldnt go there again anyone the hymn onward christian soldiers as he said has had multiculcheral men and women that faught then and still sing that hymn the only thing the vicar is doing is causing a devide and this is where hate steyms from .hypecrits and cowards .All fought and died.Armesters day is to pay respect to who ever and everyone who lost their lives .This vicar i would be shunning this man .he should be ashamed .
JanwoG says
The Dhimmitude of UK has no limit. Once a lion, this country has become a kitten as a pet for Muslims.
We should find a replacement of Google. They blocked my comments for one week, for saying we should ban the Muslims because it is to difficult to differentiate the good from the bad.
JanwoG says
I meant Face Book
Lucia Bartoli says
This is dangerously close to denying Christ to appease a few. They are the ones who should stay home—even better—GO home to wherever you came from…
Note: at the height of ussr’s Power, only 7% were actually communists. Why? Because thevgreater majority gave in/gave up.
How sad! When traditions are gone—you lose your national identity.
Pere LaChaise says
I demur from your opinion. I do not think the modern hymn is particularly emblematic of Christianity and comes from a sect that, although they do good work, are Not representative of Christian Tradition. The claim of authenticity of Anglicanism is moot in light of its schismatic foundation under Henry VIII, so the matter is relative.
The sense of the hymn does express some of the militancy of the authentic Christian ethos, originally expressed in the troparion of the Cross, which served as a kind of anthem for the whole Orthodox Commonwealth of the Eastern Roman Empire. Here are translations of Proper hymns for the feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross (Sept. 14)
Troparion (Tone 1)
O Lord, save Thy people,
And bless Thine inheritance.
Grant victory to the Emperor [or “Thy people” or “the Orthodox Christians”]
Over the barbarians, [or “their enemies”]
And by the power of Thy Cross
Preserve Thy commonwealth. [or “estate” or “habitation”]
Kontakion (Tone 4)
As You were voluntarily raised upon the cross for our sake,
Grant mercy to those who are called by Your Name, O Christ God;
Make all Orthodox Christians glad by Your power,
Granting them victories over their adversaries,
By bestowing on them the Invincible trophy, Your weapon of Peace.
Instead of the Trisagion
Before Thy Cross we bow down in worship, O Master, and Thy holy Resurrection we glorify. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
And Thy holy Resurrection we glorify.
Before Thy Cross we bow down in worship, O Master, and Thy holy Resurrection we glorify.
Forefeast hymn
Troparion (Tone 4)
We offer in supplication
The Life-Creating Cross of Your Goodness, O Lord,
Which You have granted to us who are unworthy:
Save the Orthodox Christians, O only Lover of Man,
Through the Theotokos.
Afterfeast hymn
Kontakion – Tone 4
As You were voluntarily raised upon the cross for our sake,
Grant mercy to those who are called by Your Name, O Christ God;
Make all Orthodox Christians glad by Your power,
Granting them victories over their adversaries,
By bestowing on them the Invincible trophy, Your weapon of Peace
gravenimage says
Pere LaChaise, does this mean that you *agree* with this dhimmitude? Why?
Pere LaChaise says
Graven,
By what do you derive this odd assertion that I endorse dhimmitude? As I proffered, only the uncompromised preaching of the Trinity would satisfy my standards, as they should His if he calls himself a priest of Christ. Maybe for Anglicans, Onward comes close enough. But I’d never join his milquetoast assembly.
gravenimage says
Good grief–as though there has not been a great deal of dhimmitude from some Catholics. Not all, certainly–but I might remind you of the current pontiff.
Pere LaChaise says
Graven,
So this is how you deal with dissent, by accusing people with more nuanced perception of cravenness? Your sense of fair play is lacking but I’m not seeking any quarter. You wouldn’t even know the difference between a Catholic Orthodox dogma and a sectarian heretical one. Some lies are just as bad as Islam.
gravenimage says
The fact is that you dhimmitude is all too common these days, and cuts across denominational lines.
gravenimage says
Your idea that disagreements between Christian denominations are just as bad as Muslims raping and slaughtering innocent people is *very* questionable.
Bindon Blood says
What the hell has this got to do with the hymn ,”Onward Christian Soldiers” which is about the spiritual battle with the powers of darkness.?
Bindon Blood says
I am assuming you are Catholic,forgive me if I am wrong. But ,on the supposition that you are, can you tell me why the Catholic Church uses symbolism that is in some cases indentical to Islamic symbols and some pagan symbols? It is a serious question.
Bob says
Most of the ‘C of E’ is now spiritually stone dead anway, but he should, nevertheless, be replaced by a minister who actually considers ENGLAND, rather than the followers of the alleged religion of peace, islum, who intend to destroy her in favour of a caliphate!
carol says
Per Rev. Bailey: “‘It is because the legion’s committee recognized that people from different faiths served in the Armed Forces that we will be singing All People That On Earth Do Dwell instead of Onwards Christian Soldiers….”
………….
It’s somewhat amusing to realize that Rev. Bailey may have NOT avoided offending certain very, very sensitive NON-multiculturalists i.e. muslims. The lyrics in the replacement hymn refer to FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST. A big no,no in their jealous eyes.
Voytek Gagalka says
I wonder what “non-Christians” would be searching for in St Peter’s Church of Oadby during that Remembrance Sunday service? Would that not be a waste of time for them since they are non-believers? Or if they’ll come in desire to convert, wouldn’t that be a bit strange that this hymn could “offend” them? Or is this Rev. Steve Bailey so afraid of Islamic spies that even the House of the Lord is no longer “safe space” any longer? Where are those Imams of the UK who are afraid to say anything against kuffar?
Pere LaChaise says
This vicar has like many highly-placed English clergy, fallen down on the job of promoting Christianity in fulfillment of his vow at ordination to protect his flock from the wolf of souls.
Christ said that whoever is ashamed of Him on the last day, He would be ashamed of them and they would be cast into the outer darkness ‘where the worm dieth not’.
It’s up to the English people to vote with their feet and purse and leave the husk of the schismatic assembly called Anglican and return to the actual Church, which is waiting for them.
Sarah says
Hey Pere. I’d like to clarify something with you, if you wouldn’t mind, please?
You’re talking about abolishing the changes that came from Reformation and ditching all forms of Protestant Christianity, for the Roman Catholic Church? Or just the Church of England?
Because there are a LOT of Protestant strains of Christianity out there today. All with slightly different variations on theme and scripture belief.
I’m really curious to hear your response – I guess I figured the Catholics vs Protestant conflicts we’ve seen in the past, were a thing of the past.
Lydia says
The ‘actual’ church is the body of Christ, made up of born again believers in Christ… only. Protestant is the ‘orthodox’ path, only now most churches have derailed from the Biblical faith anyway.
( ;
It is Jesus who is waiting for the others, because one must come to Christ to be saved.
Come home to Jesus!
Pere LaChaise says
Sarah,
I could prate about abolition of sects until I’m blue in the face and everyone hated me and I’d have accomplished nothing. It’s only the dogmatic teaching of the Christian Church that Christ instituted one vehicle for the transmission of his Life to every living soul, not a plethora of sects competing with their own versions of Jesus. He did not institute a new religion or set into motion a process of elaboration of numerous sects. He presented Himself as a one-time offering sufficient to heal the split between us and the Father, and between each other. There can only ultimately and originally be one Church otherwise we are saying He lied.
gravenimage says
This is not “Anglicanism Watch”–nor is every Anglican Vicar a dhimmi like this one. We are here to oppose the savagery of Islam.
Pere LaChaise says
Lydia’s novel assumption that Christ’s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church didn’t exist until her minister got borned ag’in at the corner chapel in 1960-something rather puts the kabosh on our Anglicanism, what?
gravenimage says
Again, I see, this poster has *nothing* critical to say about Islam–too busy slamming other Christian denominations.
Bee says
Do muslims attend these remembrance services? Likely not. So why on earth is this imbecile working further to malign our heritage and traditions. He and his ilk are the cause in part of the decline in Church attendance.
PaulM says
Reverend? Steve Bailey. There is nothing “reverend” whatsoever about this slimy piece of islamic supporting coward. What a travesty. The entire congregation should boot his skinny fascist ass out of their church. And when services start on that very important day. Piss on him, they should all unite and start singing “Onward Christian Soldiers” at the tops of their lungs. If the organist disagrees, kick their ass off the bench and put a “REAL CHRISTIAN” there to play. )))))
Stan Lee says
I believe the Vicar is overreacting again to demonstrating “his goodness” via appeasement. Obviously, he considers his flock as believing that as long as his hand is in the matter, that issue is more than acceptable. And…suddenly one’s church walls will no longer reverberate to the classic “Onward Christian Soldiers” of which I, for one, have loved throughout my life. Vicar, we now officially part via your excessive appeasement! I believe it is very evident that the migrants you favor with your decision are already being well cared for, far more than their own brethren in Islam cared for them. If they fail to receive the message, the error is on their heads. We need not turn our own faiths upside down as a token of acceptance for them.
gravenimage says
Here’s the hymn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NhHUZMufLA
Pere LaChaise says
Funny because Mormons aren’t Christians. They teach that Jesus and Satan are brothers. You can’t make this stuff up, unless you are a charlatan named Joe Smith.
gravenimage says
Funny that this poster always has more negative to say about Christians of other denominations than he does about the savagery of Islam.
Stan Lee says
Please, folks…Let us not depart into dickering who is more correct than the other. The issue has become Mr. Bailey’s attitudes that he endeavors to reflect over Christians,by bypassing Christians, literally any way he can weaken Christian belief to see his self-styled concept of faith via the weight of his title of Vicar. It is obvious that he believes himself most qualified to do so. he really has fallen to appeasement, a tactic he probably believes has been “the success” of “10 Downing Street and a weak Parliament” which is satisfied to cede the reshaping of the faith to mask their surrender to appeasement.also…It is the only tactic they can think of to prove their questionable goodness! Instead, wouldn’t it be better to emphasize strength and belief in the faith that has supported us thus far, and was also the strength of our forefathers? I believe the contributors in this thread do mean well, despite the disappointment in a Vicar who insults faith in order to display sufficient weakness to satisfy the followers of a destructive element brought into our lands for the concept of “one world government”, Islam sees this as its true opportunity for its monstrous idea of a Caliphate. I think we are all angry and indignant to one degree or another, that this Vicar has taken it upon himself to eliminate a standard of the faith which has been support for our colors, no matter whichever Christian denomination to which we belong. In essence, it’s the old tale of the shepherd who turned away from his original flock in order to gain acceptance with a new flock, which soon revealed it had no intention to follow him as their shepherd.,In retrospect,(and in just plain English) most of us were content with our degrees of faith, possibly with a few rare exceptions hither and yon, but to me, and in this case, my own impression has been; “I’m among Christians who are good people all, and love their faiths as they are, without “shortcuts” (in my own opinion) from a charlatan who believes in his personal ideas more than all else.
Thank you all, the air of freedom is so refreshing!
Juanita says
What is there to stop the people from singing it, anyway? No one can stop me from singing that song, if I am of a mind to sing it. Especially these people who are daily slipping away from belief in Christ as our Royal Banner.
Aardvark says
You beat me to it, Juanita! I was going to suggest that, too.
mortimer says
The ‘Church Militant Here in Earth’ is finished with know-nothing virtue-signallers like Rev. Steve Bailey. The hymn was written to depict Christians serving in the world while fighting the world, flesh and the devil.
This hymn was chosen by Winston Churchill for a joint UK-US church parade as the US joined the fight against Hitler the personification of evil.
What Leftards cannot fathom (because they have not studied Islam) is that Islam presents an equal evil for Christians as Nazism did… if not a greater evil.
One only needs to read the Pact of Omar to see what Islam has in store for Christians.
Has Rev. Steve Bailey read the PACT OF OMAR yet? Will he ever read it?
If someone knows him, please hand him a paper copy of the PACT OF OMAR.
https://wikiislam.net/wiki/The_Pact_of_Umar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pact_of_Umar
https://wikiislam.net/wiki/Analysis_of_the_Pact_of_Umar
Allan White says
The replacement hymn has the line, “To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the God whom heaven and earth adore” So, Steve Bailey, what if this line offends non-Christians, what then? The line direct violates a Quranic teaching, so are you going to capitulate here as well? When does it end?
Pere LaChaise says
Allen,
Culturenis secondary tomand dependent upon faith and dogma. The doxology is a clearer expression of Christian belief than ‘marching as to war’. Granted, disruption of (small ‘t’) tradition causes upset, but better focus on the meaning of Christian Trinidadian faith is FAR preferable to mere ‘Christian-cultural’ posturing with no clear dogmatic understanding.
Church work is serious business, I can attest from personal experience. A leader has to weigh the benefits and costs of each action undertaken or foregone. If the vicar discards modern hymns I favor of better, older ones, perhaps he is onto something we too should hear.
But if he discards dogmatic Christian faith as expressed in hymns, he will be judged more harshly.
gravenimage says
Pretending that this Vicar is jettisoning this hymn which you happen to dislike so that he can play “better” ones is just ridiculous. He is not asserting Christianity–he is appeasing Muslims.
Shmoovie says
“All People That on Earth Do Dwell” might be a very nice hymn– but doesn’t Vicar Steve understand or care that there is a large population of ‘Earth-dwellers’ who see themselves as above all others? And that a percentage of that group deny that the inferiors have rights even to existence?!
His PC politics have no place in that church, it belongs to its members.
Tom says
Christian Islam appeasers are disgusting vile creatures that don’t deserve the title of priest, vicar, bishop etc.
Progressives have infiltrated the clergy, especially in the UK, and along with that comes the retarded view that Islamists simply need love and compassion in order to become good people who will respond with equal respect and consideration, but experience has shown that all that comes is more and more the attitude of Islamic supremacy and the dhimmitude of those less creatures of other religions.
If I were there I would stand up at the end of the service and sing out loudly the hymn “onward christian soldiers” and the vicar be damned.
Sarah says
What an idiot.
As an Atheist, if I were to rock along to that ceremony, I’d be the odd one out standing there, quietly pretending to sing along because I wouldn’t have a clue as to the lyrics of that hymn – but I wouldn’t be offended.
I bow my head whenever I’m in a situation where there is a Priest or some such leading a prayer. I close my eyes and bow my head if I’m at a dinner table and everyone else is doing Grace. If I’m in a religious wedding or funeral – I follow along with everyone else, including sending out an ‘Amen’ whenever its expected. I won’t partake in Communion, that’s about the only thing I won’t do – and I only refuse to do that, because I feel like it is ME being disrespectful to those around me – because I don’t believe that I’m either symbolically or literally consuming the flesh and blood of Christ.
Its no skin off my nose to do this. I do these things to be respectful to those around me who do have faith. After all, as an Atheist, I expect others to respect my choice in beliefs, so its not upsetting to me, to hear Christian hymns or see Christian pageantry at a gathering of some sort. Christianity plays a massive part in the fundamental structure of our civilization – I am not hostile to the faith or its followers.
Christianity has some serious, serious issues today. When the Shepherds themselves, have lost the faith in their own faith, when they no longer stand up for their beliefs, when they are prepared to abandon their own beliefs – all so as not to upset the invading opposing religion – well, Christianity could well die a sorry death in Europe at the least. Christians won’t stop believing in God, but they’ll abandon the Church if these leader’s aren’t careful.
Can you imagine, if we created a time machine and bought Richard the Lionheart forward in time to today? He would see what has happened to his England – and see that the Moors scourge is having a resurgence – and then he’d probably go back to his own time and warn all the Europeans – and carry the Crusades further, harder and longer until the Moors were all wiped out.
Shit, maybe we should really get cracking on a time machine.
Pere LaChaise says
Sarah,
That’s a lovely thing to say. Thank you for being a kind and wise person. Humility with knowledge is a powerful virtue.
Lydia says
I have more respect for a sincere atheist than for a hypocritical compromising ecumenical interfaith appeasing and denying the Lord so called ‘Christian,’ as we see so much of today.
A heart like that at least the Lord can work with, but these of reprobate conscience who deny and betray the Lord for a sum are like those who have blasphemed the Holy Spirit… too far gone.
gravenimage says
Good post, Sarah.
Michael Casmer says
He’s be turning over in his grave
IanB says
Excellent post Sarah. I’m with you on all you state.
R Russell says
I tremble before the Lord for the judgment which awaits these so called Christians who know nothing of the Lordship of Jesus in their lives. They do not know how they are playing into the hands of our enemies. God grant them repentance before it is too late.
Jayell says
Here are the words of this hymn as they appear In ‘Hymns Old and New”, published in 1996:-
‘Onward Christian pilgrims,
Christ will be our light.
See the heavenly vision
Breaks upon our sight….’
And so it goes on, all very nice and harmless. Not very inspiring though, is it? And the tune seems out of character with this new version. But the Rev. Bailey would no doubt approve. However, given the date of the hymn book (21 years ago), he’s not exactly ahead of the game is he?
Given Jesus’s very clear disapproval of militant violence there does seem to be something of a discrepancy between the Christian message and the tone of the original words of the hymn but that could be taken as a rather facile reading of the message of the hymn as it was first written, which likens the struggle against evil to the focussed efforts of a military campaign without actually prescribing violent aggression. But perhaps that analysis is a little too subtle for Rev. Bailey.
Pere LaChaise says
Jayell,
It’s a very narrow and tendentious reading of the Bible and Tradition of the Church to find only pacifistic teaching. Military saints full the calendar and Christian rulers have often enjoyed the full support of Church leaders. Russia itself would not exist if not for St. Sergius’ prayers for St. Dmitri Donskoy at Kulikovo. Since St. Emperor Constantine the Christian Commonwealth has gone to war against those who would destroy and despoil the community of faithful.
The only problem I have with the hymn in question is that it cannot express authentic Christian military spirit because it is the product of a secular organization which is not Church at all, no matter their good works.
Nana loves you says
Read II Timothy 4:3 (New International Version) of the Bible – such actions as the eradication of sound doctrine from worship in song and spoken word have been foretold. Formerly astounding signs as we now see about us our fathers would have never believed. Yet, here we are, where truth is fiction and fiction has become truth. Far greater deceptions will continue to unfold until Jesus Christ returns for those who believe in Him as the way, the truth, and the life. Forgive the vicar; he has been deceived and chosen identitarian politics.
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear”
skai says
Won’t be long before all the churches closed because of the likes of Rev Bailey and then they will be converted to Mosques . Well done Rev
Phil McDonald says
Why ban a little song? Why not ban the Bible, Churches, celebration of all-non Islamic holidays? In fact this individual should ban himself… his office and attire are highly offending.
Brenda Romano says
Oh make no mistake, they are working very hard to ban the Bible, Christian, Jewish and other religious holiday and religious songs.
utis says
Great, the pope ain’t Catholic and now the Anglicans ain’t Christian. The locals need to stage their own counter-service, finishing the day off with all kinds of haram activities.
carol says
You’re beginning to sound like a pagan! What a relief!
gravenimage says
UK: Vicar bans Onward Christian Soldiers hymn from Remembrance Sunday service in case it offends non-Christians
……………………..
Which non-Christians would this be? Somehow I doubt it is Jews or Hindus complaining…
Lydia says
It’s just more conforming to the one world interfaith religion which is an abomination to the true God of the Bible.
Concerning the particular hymn, I do not know the lyrics so I will not comment on that.
But the key here lies in the fact of WHY he chose to eliminate it, his motive; to appease the unbelievers.
THAT is the problem and it seems would be the case for him regardless of the hymn in question.
It is a church and a place where professing Christians go, it is not a public event for a mixed multitude including potential unbelievers. Although I would still be ‘for’ the hymn being sung and all of that. Imposing? Well all the others want to impose upon everyone else anyway, why not the right ones too?! Let the atheists worry about appeasing their own, let the muslims worry about themselves and so on. The church is for Christians. It is that simple!
Suggestion: Just get a group together and some instrument players maybe also and march and sing the hymn anyway yourselves, what can they do to you?!
carol says
Blow you up and we all know it! Best to be PC for the common good it seems.
Lydia says
And yes, if anyone denies the Lord, He will deny them and if they are ashamed of His words in the Bible, He will be ashamed of them! No exceptions.
utis says
If one voluntarily enters a place of worship, one is obligated by politeness to keep silent about the normal religious stuff that goes on there, no matter what your religion or non-religion. People who don’t like the religion’s practices can go the hell outside.
Trish says
This is bs what about offending me no one gives a shit! Why?!?!!
Maybe if I start blowing up mosques someone will pay attention?!? From what I’m seeing don’t offend the criminals maybe I should become one
Berengaria says
It appears our Priests & Pastors have fallen to the Madness of Islam. Where ever you are, UK OR USA, there is no difference. Christianity is not failing because of the Christian People, but because of our CHRISTIAN LEADERS. LUKEWARM & COWARDLY IN STANDING UP FOR CHRISTIANITY!
MFritz says
They have fallen prey to political correctness.
MFritz says
So… as a good Christian you’re turning the other cheek not to offend the “others”. And you’ll do it again and again. They, on the other hand, do not make any compromises because of their “victim status”. They will preach their texts and sing their songs.
You will give up your position of strength until you’ve reached the point where you CAN’T give in anymore. Then you have reached the point where – for example – the Christians in Egypt are. Right up against the wall.
Is that where you want to go, vicar? It’s not that far a road anymore. Not even in the UK. You can even have a martyr status then. That’s for sure. But you as a Christian sure as HELL won’t get any special treatment as a minority from them. Only in a VERY negative sense.
Pere LaChaise says
Fritz,
Copts have been up against the wall 1400 years and yet they do not give in and their church maintains its witness, if humbled. They didn’t elect to dhimmitude like the Brits are now doing. And the Coptic Church continues to produce some of the most persuasive voices critical to Islam because they know the paynim so well. I don’t foresee any Anglican divines converting millions away from the pernicious delusion by their preaching, as Coptic priests have been doing.
Your comparison shows lack of knowledge about historical Christian communities and their Christ-empowered perdurance over centuries.
MFritz says
Pere LaChaise: Maybe you misunderstood me. Under NO circumstance am I devaluating the Copts and their struggle in Egypt! These people have been on the “front line” of jihad for a VERY long time.
Unfortunately, not much can be heard (or seen) of them here in the West. Their struggle is “politically inconvenient” for our politicians. To them Egypt is a “safe harbour”.
My comparison was just to underline that you will reach TRUE victim status in a very short time if you keep on giving in to the WRONG people. The problem simply is that the OTHER side must also contribute to the effort – and not just consider your whole tolerant culture easy prey and (very) expendable.
Aardvark says
Sadly, less and less can be heard or seen of them in Egypt. They will soon be gone altogether.
Flavius Claudius Iulianus says
Don’t run over yourself with your own car, Reverend Do-good Twit.
American Gentile says
Let’s take a look at that hymn
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
I find nothing wrong here with the verse, as it
states the obvious: that Christ leads the battle
against the foe, who we call satan and his host.
Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
The refrain reminds us that we are in spiritual warfare.
At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Again, this 2nd verse confirms that we are in a war
against satan and his hosts.
Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
I solemnly wish that this verse were true and pray
that it be so.
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never ’gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.
Indeed we do have Christ’s promise and on the bedrock
of truth we stand. Remember that Jesus said “I am
the way, the truth and the life”
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.
And for asking the world to become a part of the body
of Christ, we are to be reviled and persecuted?
For asking that Christ be honored as King, we now
are silenced, lest it offend any?
I agree 100% with Paul who writes ” For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:
for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes”
Jacqueleen says
I think we are witnessing the “NEW EVANGELIZATION” that expects the lost to respond to false humility and false compassion while the innocent are wiped off the face of the earth in a violent way.. Our prayers would do more than this new idea of how to convert those who have never come to know the love of Jesus Christ. If living in a free society as in Europe and in America has not opened their eyes to change them, nothing will except God, himself. Pray for the conversion of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jehovah Witnesses, pagans, satanists, etc. God can find them even in their caves and tents.
Erl Roe says
Has this corrupted man ever thought of eating of the TREE OF LIFE rather than eat of the tree of good and evil ? he certainly has been been led astray … The blind (ed) trying to lead a flock where? He has been defeated in the phycological relm … he has been disarmed and wil do Islams biding until his usefulness has been completedthen discarded as something filthy as the Islamics view the such like… A trojon horse has a use by date then discarded
Anne Smith says
And if some people are offended, so what?
FYI says
Another dhimmiwit man of the cloth..
The “reverend” should take off his collar since he lacks the courage to witness for the One he claims to follow.
I gave up on these Christ-betraying moral cowards in the clergy a long,long time ago..
Do not rely on clergy even to preach the Gospel these days!
Between the man who “speaks like a dragon”{Mr Bergoglio or “pope” francis as he calls himself} to the insufferably smug,politically correct Judas priests like this UK vicar,they are the very ones surely to be condemned ..
“How terrible for you,teachers of the law and Pharisees!
You are like whited sepulchres,which look fine on the outside but are full of bones
and decaying corpses on the inside.
In the same way ,on the outside you appear good to everybody,but inside you are full of hypocrisy and sins”
Matthew 23 v 27-28
They appear so good to everybody on the outside don’t they,these Judas Priests?
They sell-out their parishoners,their country and their Gospel and all in the name of political correctness.
Moral cowards.
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
Beware of the phrase “from … to …” to indicate a wide range. The from-to axis must be obvious, and the distance between the from-to endpoints must be large. Here’s a bad example:
“The parade has people from all nationalities and backgrounds, from Sikhs to Hindus, and bikers, and each one of them is proud to stand there and sing this hymn.”
The point the speaker wants to convey is that “people from all nationalities and backgrounds” are proud to sing “Onward, Christian Soldiers”, but the cited range is very narrow, including only members of two non-Christian religions from India. (Does the range “from Sikhs to Hindus” include Muslims, Zoroastrians, Jews, Christians, Maoris, and atheists?)
What he should have said was “including (even) Sikhs and Hindus”.
The composer of this hymn, Arthur Sullivan, is the Sullivan of Gilbert & Sullivan, and wrote music of a great variety of types, including for example
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcNtTm5XEfY
(includes a reference to a non-Islamic beheading)
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
A version with lyrics…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgBT55lEhUc
Dacritic says
Why are these Christian leaders so fucking WEAK???
Politicianphobia says
They sould go ahead and sing the hymn, the people still rule. Next is “Stand Up Stand Up For Jesus, I’ll walk With God, Silent Night…………If the Vicar does not like it, he should resign. I am greatly offended when I see women with their little girls with their Ghost outfits on. Teach your daughters to be second class citizens in some other country, not in mine.
Brenda Romano says
Imagine the surprise of St Peter’s congregation when they learned that St. Peter’s Church was no longer a Christian facility but a multicultural center.
Jack Holan says
Vicar, you must be stone deaf when the Imam cries out loud and clear from the Mosques in Canada, England and Europe to Kill the Jews, all of them, until every last one is dead. They are 100 % serious. But you determine s trafitional song sang within the Church giving comfort to the flock should be banned over the sensitivities of those who would vanquish you without batting an eye. Are you daft or a traitor? I’m a Jew and and not Overy comfortable but I understand Canada and the US are a Christian majority country and the majaority defending the homeland are Christians and this hymn gives great comfort. I would never object. It would take a jack-ass to commit a travesty like this one.
Mark A says
I’ll be surprised if the Anglican Church is still around in 20-30 years. It is, and has been, losing membership at a rapid pace because many people are fed up with clergy like Reverend Steve Bailey, of whom the Anglican Church has far too many.
If it is still around, it will be comprised of people like Reverend Bailey who are determined to eliminate whatever is left of western culture so as not to risk offending anyone.
The vets should avoid Reverend Bailey and hold their own ceremony at their town Cenotaph and sing “Onward Christian Soldiers” with gusto.
Jacqueleen says
Please tell Rev. Bailey that we, every decent human being are offended every time a Christian is killed, beheaded, made homeless, injured, children abused and married at age 9, honor killings and all non-Muslims made to live in fear that they will be killed any second. Sorry, but you must take off the rose colored glasses and own up to the truth that there is no such thing as a peaceful Muslim. Islam is not a religion of peace. Allah is Satan and Muslims are Satan’s army. Isolation is the only way to deal with Muslims to end Islam once and for all. EVICT and BAN every Muslim from a civilized nation. Let them kill each other in the desert. The radicals openly express the violence, but the moderates quietly practice DAWA multiplying and infiltrating all facets of society until in the majority…..THEN WATCH OUT. By that time, there will be NO CHRISTIAN CHURCHES and no Christians. Rev. Bailey under estimates the power of God to find the Muslims for conversions. We must pray for their conversions and let God do the rest….Meanwhile…evict and ban and ISOLATE.