I wonder; how many diehard, bible banging evangelicals know that one of their most beloved patriotic songs was written by none other than a lesbian?

Katherine Bates, who was a poet, author, and professor at Wellsley College wrote "America the Beautiful." Bates lived for some 25 years with the Dean of Wellsley College, Katherine Coman.

"Oh Beautiful for spacious skies,

And amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plains !

America ! America !

God shed his grace on thee !

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea !"

HOLY crap!!! Don't tell anyone...it will be pulled from music archives everywhere.

Kat

Wow, I thought she was an actress!!!
So.......... what's your point exactly?

We can't have all this lesbian authored stuff out there. It's corrupting our youth!

No more America The Beautiful for my kids.

there are debates about that....but it really doesn't matter IMO. it's a wonderful song...who cares if she was gay or living with someone in a platonic relationship??? it doesn't decrease her ability to write a wonderful song

Oh, Kat, that is too funny. How ironic is that?

We can't take chances. Ban this song immediately!!!!

My point? It isn't clear? Devout christians or evangelicals love that song as many or most of Americans do. But want to say that gays and lesbians can not be christian or valuable.

Kat

not valuable???? as far as being Christian...I'm not going to say one way or another because it's a personal relationship

Really....so many conversations come in here pertaining that gays and lesbians are going to hell for being gay. Because the Bible says so. They think God hates them. I do not believe that. I believe in God. I do not believe there are mistakes in His community.

Kat

Anyway...I just thought it was ironic, that's all.

Kat

I don't agree with people doing that IMO. but that is their choice to say just like others have the right to debate against it. i have no problem with Katherine Bates....she is a wonderful writer.

Kat...I'm not trying to bash you by any means. All I am saying is that it shouldn't make a difference of whether she is gay or not. her personal life doesn't mean the song is any less than what it is

It shouldn't make a difference but to many people it does.
Sad but true.

just as there are people that would want the song pulled because it has God in it.

Only if it's in a public school. That's the way it should be.

all I am saying...to me it doesn't. there is a debate over her relationship anyway....but to me it doesn't matter. and you are right...to some it does....and they have a right to their belief as I do

it's not appropriate for a public school...true...but you know people will complain regardless

SIGGGGHHHHHH....yup.

But, I personally have no problem with God being mentioned in school. I bring my kids up to at least have the chance to know why I believe. They make the decisions after that.

We act like children have no reasoning of their own. They do grow up and make their own choices, no matter what we preach or do or don't believe in.

Kat