ACLU complains about religious concert in Missouri

HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, Associated Press

Sunday, December 25, 2011

LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City suburb that attracted a record crowd to its community concert series by inviting a contemporary Christian group plans to stay away from the genre in the future after the American Civil Liberties Union complained.

The issue arose after the June 26 concert in the city's downtown square featured the Sidewalk Prophets from Nashville, Tenn. The ACLU's regional office claimed the event violated the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, which bars the government from endorsing religion.

The ACLU noted that the city's Parks Department paid the band a $4,000 appearance fee, plus $466 for the group's lodging and $4,570 for the rental of stage and sound equipment.

About 2,000 people turned out, about ten times more than a typical community concert draws, Liberty City Administrator Curt Wenson said.

Despite the event's success, he said this past week that the city has agreed not to sponsor another contemporary Christian band.

"We will do a concert series next summer and we will watch ourselves very closely because we don't want to offend anybody," Wenson said. "That is not our intent. As a city we normally play by the rules."

The ACLU filed an open records request over the summer and wrote a letter expressing concerns earlier this month. The ACLU noted that the Sidewalk Prophets' concert rider stated that the band would speak for several minutes in support of an American Bible Society campaign to help Congolese women. The effort employs a "proven program of Scripture-based trauma healing," the Bible Society said on its website.

"The City of Liberty should not play favorites with religion," said Doug Bonney, the legal director of the ACLU of Kansas & Western Missouri. "Doing so ignores the great religious diversity within our nation, and it also makes members of unrepresented religions feel like outsiders within their own communities. Quite simply, it is unlawful for city officials to promote one religion over another."

Wenson described the selection of the Sidewalk Prophets as an innocent effort to attract people to the downtown square, which is being revitalized. He said several other cities invite contemporary Christian groups to perform.

"This is the first time we had what we consider a nationally recognized band and that was all that we were concerned about," Wenson said. "So we aren't out there trying to violate any rule or anything like that."

More like this story

usmc007 1 year, 4 months ago

Another example of The ACLU, and the NAACP choosing the wrong battle to fight....what about my rights and most of ALL MY VETERANS ADMINISTRATION BENEFITS I've lost in retailation in reporting the Hostile Learning Evnvironment that I had to endure as well as to to humiliated with the Racial slur Ni**er written on my desktop....so why didn't they complain for the SERVICE CONNECTED DISABLED MARINE VETERAN?

sEmper Fi

UsmC007

JCLifer 1 year, 4 months ago

I would bet that if they had a Muslim band or a CopKiller Rap band, the ACLU would be silent.

tonto_goldberg 1 year, 4 months ago

I would bet that if the Muslim (Jewish, Scientologist, Hindu, Druid) band proselityzed, the ACLU would complain. The music is only a secondary issue. If the CopKiller Rap band actually existed and advocated for violence against police officers, that would be a criminal matter and the ACLU would not be involved.

wow 1 year, 4 months ago

Warped all the way around. I don't know what the ACLU is upset about other than the city paid a religious band to perform at some show. In my opinion that's not a problem...I mean it's not like they were singing "I wish I as in Dixie". I also fail to see where the NAACP has anything to do with this. USMC007, you obviously got some issues that need to be resolved and I truly hope you finally get the help you so truly need.

Now why anyone tries relating this concert issue in a negative way towards the Muslim faith is beyond me. If I'm correct the ACLU is a Christian backed organization...so if you have a problem with how they handled this situation, please don't try putting it off on the Muslims. Put the blame where it deserves to go. Or are you afraid to make negative comments against what is considered America's religion? Perhaps you're afraid to say that Christian's are complaining that the Liberty city officials are promoting one religion over another." Where does the Muslim thing come into the picture?

In another post a few people told me I was crazy to think there were people who hated others just because. They said I was being a bit over reactive and that I should not be so paranoid. Well I say....read some of these earlier comments and then perhaps you'll see why I've been so harsh in my view of things.

muleman 1 year, 4 months ago

There is nothing wrong with being crazy. Thats my excuse and I use it daily, sanity is soooooooo over rated

mm59ss71 1 year, 4 months ago

First off its not saying they are supporting one religion over another its that they were able to get this Nationally know band to sing for their area. Second seems as they say this is the biggest concert they have had in the area drawing many more people.(Seems this is what the public wanted) As far as other religions why not just say in the future we will also look for more bands to add to our concert series and those that draw the community they keep bringing back? This would be what the community would want. I am offended that they would cancel this just because of some. It works both ways as it can offend those who did attend to go against them as well. We need to quit trying to please those we may offend because trust me everyone is offended by someone saying something so should we tell everyone to be quiet and sit on your hands and just conform to what the others beliefs are. Sometimes its not all about a certain religion but more about faith.

tonto_goldberg 1 year, 4 months ago

They paid the band to show up and sing but the contract also provided for the band to spend time promoting a bible-based program. That's where they went wrong. They might have been ok if the band had done the promotional time away from the concert venue and on their own dime.

NoMoBigBro 1 year, 4 months ago

Pathetic

spelchek 1 year, 4 months ago

"...which bars the government from endorsing religion." -- I don't want to hear another commercial endorsing Muslim Arts on KBIA, the tax subsidized member station of NPR. Hypocrites.

january 1 year, 4 months ago

Jefferson City maintains a calendar of local events that often has religious events posted. Being that this calendar and website are maintained(paid for) by a gonerment agency do you feel that this is a misuse of funds?

wow 1 year, 4 months ago

What's with all this Muslim hateration? According to this story, they didn't do anything wrong? Also why is the ACLU complaining about the city hiring a relgious group to come sing gospel songs to the crowd. Not only do I not understand the reason for the negative comments about the Muslims, I also don't understand what the ACLU is upset about. Instead of hiring a Country Band, instead of hiring some Head Bangers, instead of hiring some Saggy Pants Rappers. The city hired a Gospel Group to provide some entertainment....and I honestly see nothing wrong with that. I certainly don't see the need for people to spout off all this anti -Muslim stuff. Especially since some of these same folks sat quiet and some even defended when Dixie was played at a recent event/site where innocent people were actually lynched/murdered.

In my view a few people have their moral compasss waaaayy outta whack. I agree the ACLU is a bit overboard on this one, but at the same time, this anti-Mulsim stuff is really uncalled for. Especially from people who champion the good ole days of Dixie. These discraceful conduct is more proof that racism and hatred are very much alive and well in the "Missouri Compromise State".

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