Armour: Anthem debate has already been played out at Indiana college

GOSHEN, Ind. — The referees led the teams onto the soccer field, and the players stood at attention as the public address system crackled.

At almost any other sporting event in America, this would be the signal to stand for the national anthem. Instead, the starting lineups were introduced, followed by a reminder about core character values such as integrity, respect and leadership.

Then, following an exchange of handshakes, came the simple pronouncement:

“Let’s kick off!”

As the country wrestles with Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand for the national anthem and the thorny issue of whether the song has a rightful place as an institution at our sporting events, Goshen College settled the debate several years ago.

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The Mennonite college, a small NAIA school about 30 miles east of South Bend, does not play the anthem. Instead, it plays America the Beautiful — if it plays anything at all.

“It fits with our national sports tradition and honors this country while better resonating with our Christ-centered core values (passionate learning, compassionate peacemaking, servant leadership and global citizenship) and respecting the views of our diverse constituencies,” says a statement on the school’s website that explains its practices.

While it’s the definition of patriotism fueling the furor over Kaepernick, it was a matter of peace at Goshen College.

Pacificism is at the core of the Mennonites’ beliefs. According to the Mennonite Church USA website, they believe they are called to be “followers of Jesus Christ and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to grow as communities of grace, joy and peace so that God’s healing and hope flow through us to the world.”

That means Mennonites do not serve in the military, with some opting to do mission work instead. Some also redirect part of their taxes so their money does not fund the military.

And it means the national anthem, borne out of a battle during the War of 1812, is a source of discomfort more than pride with its rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air.

“I don’t like all the imagery of bombs and stuff,” Goshen resident Glenn Reinford said Wednesday night as he sat in the top row of the gym to watch the women’s volleyball team take on St. Francis. “I’m more for a peaceful America.”

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Goshen College was founded in 1894, but The Star-Spangled Banner wasn't a matter of discussion for the first 115 years. It wasn't played at school events, even after athletic teams were added in the 1950s.

But as Goshen’s student body diversified, Goshen president Jim Brenneman made efforts to be more inclusive of non-Mennonite students. In 2010, he announced that an instrumental version of the national anthem could be played at sporting events.

The decision was met with swift — and strong — reaction. So much so that the school spent the next year soliciting feedback. Finally, in August of 2011, the compromise of America the Beautiful was announced.

“We stand by the freedom of all to express their religious faith, love for this country and hopes for change in different ways,” the school says on its website.

While America the Beautiful wasn’t played before the women’s soccer game Wednesday night, it was before the volleyball match. With both teams lined up on the court, facing the U.S. flag that hung above the gym, the public address announcer asked the crowd to stand.

“We invite you to stand as we honor the United States of America by playing America the Beautiful,” he said.

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As an instrumental version played, a few people sang along. Some fans put their hands over their hearts. The Goshen players held hands. There was applause when it finished.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Reinford said.

Not everyone agreed, however.

Brian Poe’s daughter, Emily, plays for St. Francis, and has been coming to Goshen College for her games for three years now. Every time, he has to steel himself for what he knows is coming – or, rather, isn’t coming – before the game.

“I’m a fan of free speech,” said Poe, who stood with his hand over his heart during America the Beautiful. “At the same time, I think there’s a certain honor and respect that goes along with it, too.”

Poe knows the Mennonites are pacifists and respects their beliefs. Yet the United States wouldn’t exist if not for war, he said.

“Thank God for people willing to fight and die for us,” he said.

And so the debate rages even in Goshen, Ind.

The opposing viewpoints are a microcosm of the debate that’s roiled the country these last two weeks, a reminder that, simple as it might seem, the anthem is anything but.

Follow columnist Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour.