Disassociating from Diana – Part I

7-16-2019 – update on this issue.  The picture is down. The video is NOT.  In many ways the video is worse because it displays the same image very clearly and for a lot longer than a still picture does.  The video should be removed as well, and our commitment is to remove these posts when that happens.

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This picture (image removed) is NOT okay. I believe even reposting something like this picture is potentially inflammatory. Read on to learn about why I decided it was necessary.

It is with a heavy and broken heart that I write this post. As many of you know, my wife and I have enjoyed the Diana Singing for over 10 years now. We have missed only one event during that time (and it is held twice each year).  We have donated to and patronized the gift shop and “tape shed” there. It has been our privilege to mix and share the recorded music via CD and Drop Box with thousands. Many have attended the singing at our invitation.

I have acknowledged the singing explicitly in three Bible Workbooks I recently published. This is the only reason I feel it necessary to distance myself in such a public way. Frankly, I am aware that taking this action could reduce sales of the workbook among a certain segment. The only thing that matters to me is that I stick to what I understand is the proper Christian action here, even when that is not very pleasant, costs me money, or even attracts a larger crowd of like minded individuals to Diana.

Unfortunately, the following events transpired. It was part of a parade that was held in the week prior to the Friday and Saturday night which we attended. We of course did not know the event had even taken place. I did backchannel an administrator of the Facebook page, and suggest that it be removed, twice (that documentation appears below). I received no response.

I reposted the picture to the group and asked if we were collectively okay with this. Immediately, that post received several comments, most of which were to the effect that the gentleman was having fun with it and to leave him alone, it was even suggested that I not stir up trouble. One person did post what I believe to have been the proper Christian response, drawn from I Corinthians 6, that just because something is legal does not make it right. I also believe I Corinthians 8 applies as well. In that passage Paul was dealing with a controversy of his time (which was whether to eat food which was sacrificed to idols). Paul concluded that even though he was not doing anything wrong from his perspective, he would avoid doing anything that offends his brother. Shortly after that post (and within the span of a few minutes from my original post), the entire thread was deleted. I left the group. 

The person who took the picture and the person in it were enjoying themselves and celebrating their southern Heritage. A similar image appears in the upper left-hand corner of the current flag of Mississippi. Being from Tennessee, it is part of my heritage as well. Still, I would never make a choice to display this image, any more than I would display a swastika if I were German and that were a part of my heritage. In fact, even though the swastika flag is part of German heritage, it is illegal to fly that flag in Germany (although ironically, it is okay in the U.S.)

I may have a right to do that, but as Paul says in I Corinthians 8, before I exercise my rights, I need to think about the effect my actions have on others. We cannot change the past, and the choice was made to display the image. The problem, as we see it, is that the picture (link removed) remain on the Diana Singing Facebook group.

A gentleman on the Board of Director called me about something completely different, and I took the opportunity to ask if he had seen my messages (below).  He confirmed that he had, stated he did not agree, mentioned that no one he talked to agreed with my point of view, and began talking about other flags that offend him.  Notably absent from his comments were any answer to my inquiry of a scriptural rationale for leaving this image up, despite providing scriptural rationale for taking it down.  Realizing that it was pointless to try to convince him, I thanked him and we said goodbye.

It is, unfortunately, now clear that this photo and video retain the support of the Board of Directors of the Diana Singing. My wife and I debated the proper response. Given the extensive support for this photo from the Board of Directors of the singing, we are taking the following actions. First,  we will not be attending the Diana Singing anymore.  Second, I will ask the publisher to remove the Diana Singing acknowledgement from my Bible Workbook series. I have already removed it from the online edition.   Third, we will discourage people from patronizing the Diana Singing. Finally, we are asking people to help us. Please be civil in your replies. Remember Ephesians 4:32: “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ has forgiven you.” We are balancing that feeling with the righteous anger Jesus showed when he turned over tables and drove merchants from the temple with whips. One can be sad and angry at the same time.

It should give us no pleasure whatsoever to take these actions. First, we encourage others to share this post. Second, contact the Diana Singing and let them know this is not okay and they need to rectify the situation. Remember to be courteous but firm. You can contact them here.   You can say something simple like this (in fact feel free to copy and paste this): “Please delete the image of the Confederate flag from your Facebook page. It is offensive to many people in the Lord’s church. I strongly urge the Board of Directors of the Diana Singing to issue a statement apologizing for not removing this image.”   Third, we encourage all to listen to this recent lecture. You will be glad you did.

7/7/2019 update: Happy Lord’s Day everyone. I did want to provide and update on the Diana Singing/Confederate Flag issue. A person from the Board of Directors finally reached out yesterday, asking me to take down the post, and implying they would do so if I did not. I took that as a positive sign that they would be willing to take it down, told them I would gladly take it down when they did. As of now the picture and video is still there.

Here the the thread from yesterday (they clearly have not taken the time to read my post which replies to their positions restated below): His message: “Please take down the post about the Rebel Flag so we don’t have to? Stirring up trouble is just not what we are after. The parade was an afterthought joke that everyone there enjoyed.” My answer: “I will gladly take it down when you do. I asked first : )”

——————————————————————————————————————– Additional documentation: Message sent to the Diana Singing Facebook admins:

Sent June 20, 2019 /name withheld/, it’s Madison. I recommend you remove pictures which include the Confederate flag from the group (posted by /name withheld/ in the parade pictures). We have a hard enough time convincing our African American brethren to attend the singing. I realize the intent of the display was completely different but the important thing here in my opinion is how it is perceived by others.

Sent July 1, 2019 /name withheld/, very sad to write that as an author with three workbooks out now acknowledging the Diana Singing, I feel that I need to use social media to explain why I am distancing myself from the singing, reposting this picture. Before taking this action, I think the right thing to do is to provide one more chance to do the right thing and remove this image. Being from TN, I understand this is part of our heritage. Still, if for example, someone of German background and heritage wanted to attend the singing and fly the Nazi flag cheerfully, arguing “this is part of my heritage” I guess you would have a decision to make then too, but it seems unlikely anyone would post a picture of them gleefully displaying such a symbol. Yet in a congregation that is at least 25% African American, I just cannot in good conscience defend the decision to leave this picture up. Just because something is lawful does not mean we should exercise that liberty. We have an obligation to think about how others perceive our actions before we take them. 1 Corinthians 6:12 makes that clear. Please remove this picture and /name withheld/’s video as well. The optics of this, especially so close to the birthplace of the KKK, are not good. Incidentally, I Corinthians 8 also applies in this case. Am I missing some scriptural justification for leaving this image up?