A marching band routine depicting Jesus Christ's life, death and resurrection performed at halftime during Peabody High School football games this fall has triggered a controversy that threatens to split this town of 5,000. They're not taking that into consideration. I think it's wrong. Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, told the newspaper that the cross formation forces students to choose between marching in the band and worshiping Jesus. The routine incorporates too much Christianity and ignores other religions such as Judaism, which doesn't recognize Jesus as the Messiah, Glover believes.
Religion is a private matter.
Band Director Tony Burriss told the Sun that students who don't want to perform can sit out the program, although plans call for the routine to be performed at halftimes of all football games this season and at all marching band competitions. Those students could still participate in the concert band, pep band and jazz band.