9/11 Church Event Controversy

[fly girl]

https://www.wlwt.com/article/9-11-event-controversy-clermont-county-church-fireworks-show/40982929

My first reaction was I cannot believe they are having this. However, the true meaning of Memorial Day is forgotten by the masses who just see it as the official “kick off to summer.” Is this different?

Still, my gut says I don’t agree with it. Especially the fireworks. The digital signs outside of the church just feels icky.

To each his own. I’m for any positive family activities, but the timing just doesn’t feel appropriate.

NOTE: I saw this on the local news last night while making dinner. It had another clip that was edited out of this later broadcast. In the full interview, the pastor mentioned that the controversy may increase the crowds for support. That is where I really take issue. It seems they chose the weekend intentionally since they have held this years prior just not over 9/11. That’s gross, imho. I wish that part wasn’t edited out, because (to me) that remark showed his true colors.

So, thoughts?

 

[kymom99]

I saw that news story too. Wlwt is our go-to station.

I’m with you, 9/11 is usually a more solemn date of remembrance. There’s really nothing to celebrate.

 

[TCRAIG]

Fourth of July is for patriotic celebration- 911 is a day for prayer and remembrance.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I feel as if that kind of event should be held more on July 4.

 

[GreatLakes]

If you can have fireworks and parades and celebrations on Memorial Day you can have them on 9/11. Both are solumn days yet I've never heard criticism from anyone about the former being essentially a summer celebration for a large amount of people.

You'll see the occasional "remember what the day represents" before they put in their flip flops and start up the grill but it isn't a day full of sadness and reflection for most of the country, especially if you aren't connected at all to the military.

 

[Moliphino]

If you can have fireworks and parades and celebrations on Memorial Day you can have them on 9/11. Both are solumn days yet I've never heard criticism from anyone about the former being essentially a summer celebration for a large amount of people.

You'll see the occasional "remember what the day represents" before they put in their flip flops and start up the grill but it isn't a day full of sadness and reflection for most of the country, especially if you aren't connected at all to the military.

I don't know. On Memorial Day you can be celebrating the freedoms that service members' sacrifices have given us. 9/11 was a terrorist attack. It was just murder and, if anything, we lost freedoms because of it. There's nothing at all to celebrate for that.

 

[Wendy1985]

I don’t celebrate 9/11 I remember it huge difference

 

[Wendy1985]

I don't know. On Memorial Day you can be celebrating the freedoms that service members' sacrifices have given us. 9/11 was a terrorist attack. It was just murder and, if anything, we lost freedoms because of it. There's nothing at all to celebrate for that.

Could not have said it better

 

[mom2rtk]

Just no. I get some other holidays have morphed. Ask me again in a century.

 

[TwoMisfits]

But 9/11 isn't a holiday - we've never designated it as such.

I agree with the PPer - I find sticking it to the people who attacked us by saying we're strong happy people who can continue our communal way of life despite their wicked acts is about as American as you can be.

I see this as the way different people approach funerals and their respective events - some want very solemn rememberances and some want a party. Neither way is better or worse that the other for remembering a departed soul.

And on a different point - 9/11 is a Sunday this year, and tons of Churchs are doing fall fairs and picnics that day with absolutely no references to 9/11. Tons or other folks will have back to school get togethers. And the NFL opens up its Sundays season with a full slate of games and tailgating.

So, in my mind, it's okay to come together and be totally happy that day. And taking a moment to remember 9/11 before all that happiness would be even better.

So, this is a mountain out of molehill situation that got big b/c of the internet, not b/c it deserved to be big...

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Other: Church is for church. Church should not be mixed up with patriotism.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

And on a different point - 9/11 is a Sunday this year, and tons of Churchs are doing fall fairs and picnics that day with absolutely no references to 9/11. Tons or other folks will have back to school get togethers. And the NFL opens up its Sundays season with a full slate of games and tailgating.

Which is why that is different. Throwing a 9/11 event vs a picnic for Sunday church. If a church had a 9/11 picnic then it would be what the issue is

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

9/11 is a traumatic day, extremely poor decision making to have fireworks to boot.

 

[gina2000]

Maybe these people should be in NY and NJ to understand how it feels.

 

[Wendy1985]

Maybe these people should be in NY and NJ to understand how it feels.

If I feel as bad as I do
I can’t imagine how they feel

 

[Minnesota!]

It smacks of gross.

 

[Mysterian]

I agree with some of the previous sentiments.
Pastor Snook says the event is to: "honor, not take away, but honor the people that continue to live, that are free, that are strong...
And again, we're just going to celebrate America from the standpoint that we are a strong nation and a nation filled with resolve."

Is the event to celebrate America in general, or just in regards to 9/11? It sounds like lip service, and looks like the pastor just wants to use 9/11 to drum up attendance.

They're even holding a car show, which has nothing at all to do with any theme mentioned for this event.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Too soon.

 

[Smugpugmug]

A slightly different perspective....my family has a personal connection to 9/11 as my mom worked at the World Trade Center at the time and she was in the building when the attacks happened. She is fine now but has strong feelings towards this day as she lost coworkers and friends. I showed her this article and asked what she thought. She said that regardless of what the event is about, she feels that for a lot of people they won't be able to separate that specific day from what happened on 9/11. She thinks that it's an out of touch decision and while you don't need to spend the entire day remembering what happened (or to "celebrate" 9/11 for that matter), having a celebration specifically for America on the anniversary where 3000 people lost their lives seems tone deaf at best.

 

[PezRuth]

https://www.wlwt.com/article/9-11-event-controversy-clermont-county-church-fireworks-show/40982929

My first reaction was I cannot believe they are having this. However, the true meaning of Memorial Day is forgotten by the masses who just see it as the official “kick off to summer.” Is this different?

Still, my gut says I don’t agree with it. Especially the fireworks. The digital signs outside of the church just feels icky.

To each his own. I’m for any positive family activities, but the timing just doesn’t feel appropriate.

NOTE: I saw this on the local news last night while making dinner. It had another clip that was edited out of this later broadcast. In the full interview, the pastor mentioned that the controversy may increase the crowds for support. That is where I really take issue. It seems they chose the weekend intentionally since they have held this years prior just not over 9/11. That’s gross, imho. I wish that part wasn’t edited out, because (to me) that remark showed his true colors.

So, thoughts?

When I opened this I never expected it to be the small town one town over from where I grew up. Knowing that area I am not surprised by this.