Church ‘bans the singing of Onward Christian Soldiers at Remembrance Sunday service in case it offends non-Christians’
A CHURCH has banned hymn Onward Christian Soldiers from a Remembrance Sunday service - in case it offends other faiths.
Royal British Legion members have been singing the traditional hymn for years in honour of Britain's war heroes.
But they have been left fuming after vicar Steve Bailey said they will not be able to sing the 19th Century song this year as some people at the Remembrance Day service might not be Christian.
Locals of all different faiths have now threatened to boycott the service at St Peter's Church in Oadby, Leics, altogether and slammed the decision as "political correctness gone mad".
Pete Green, chairman of the Oadby Royal British Legion club, said: "It is absolutely unbelievable. I have been going to Remembrance Services in Oadby since 1967, and Onward, Christian Soldiers has been sung ever year apart from one.
"I'm disgusted, to be honest. As a result of the vicar's decision I'm refusing to enter the church. I'm just going to lay a wreath."
Reverend Steve Bailey said the decision was down to the community coming from a "wide range of cultural backgrounds".
Those attending the service will instead be singing All People That On Earth Do Dwell.
The Oadby Royal British Legion branch - which is a separate body from the club - has met with Rev Bailey and agreed to his request to not sing the song this year.
In 2012, another newly-appointed vicar blocked the singing of the hymn but it was back the next year after complaints.
Ian Thorpe, 61, of Oadby, who has been a member at the club for over 40 years, fumed: "Its all down to the fact they don't want to offend other faiths - like Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims.
"Nobody has ever complained about the hymn so why change it?
"If we went to a mosque we would not expect them to change their service to suit us, we would respect their traditions.
"I'm not a hardline Christian or anything like that. We're a multicultural town and proud of it but this is tradition and to change that out of fear of offending someone is ridiculous.
"Its just one man's decision which has gone against the will of most people, from various religions, who all think we should be allowed to sing the hymn."
Ramanlal Anand, a Hindu member of the legion, said he was "shocked" when he heard the song had been banned.
The 77-year-old added: "I couldn't understand it. I don't see why anyone would have a problem with it at all."
Onward Christian Soldiers was adopted by the Salvation Army as its favourite processional and takes in references from the New Testament.
Words to the hymn were written by Sabine Baring-Gould in 1865, with the music composed by Arthur Sullivan six years later.
Winston Churchill chose Onward, Christian Soldiers to be sung at church service after meeting Franklin Roosevelt on the battleship HMS Prince of Wales in 1941 to agree the Atlantic Charter.
In a statement issued by the Diocese of Leicester, Rev Steve Bailey said: "We agreed the change in hymn with the Oadby Royal British Legion who run this major civic event because members of the community from a wide range of cultural backgrounds attend this parade, service and laying of wreaths at the war memorial.
"It is because the legion's committee recognised that people from different faiths served in the Armed Forces that we will be singing All People That On Earth Do Dwell instead of Onwards Christian Soldiers.
"We will also sing Guide Thee Oh My Great Redeemer and Oh God Our Help In Ages Past.
"This year for the first time Oadby Multicultural Group will be laying a wreath at the War Memorial as well as the one I will lay on behalf of the parish and we do want people of all faiths who are paying respect to those from their own faiths and cultures who served and gave their lives, to feel welcome in the service.
"I understand that the British Legion branch is now discussing their Social Club members' complaints with the individuals who raised them.
"I am happy to discuss the matter with them as well as to provide reassurance that the Remembrance Service in the church remains a Christian service and one in which everyone can feel welcome."
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