Mass. school allows students to say 'God' in song

[April 06, 2012]  BELLINGHAM, Mass. (AP) -- Students at a Massachusetts elementary school can now sing the word "God" during a school assembly after parents objected when that word was removed from a patriotic song they were taught.

Parents told WFXT-TV (http://bit.ly/HfR02t) that children at Stall Brook Elementary in Bellingham were taught to sing "We love the USA" instead of "God bless the USA" during the chorus of the Lee Greenwood song.

After parents protested, the school said students wouldn't sing anything during the April 12 assembly. But Superintendent Edward Fleury said Thursday that students could sing "God Bless the USA" with its original chorus.

Fleury says the school believes the word "God" is acceptable in patriotic songs and no disrespect was intended.

Greenwood had said he objected to changing the lyrics because God "is the most important word" in the song.

___

Information from: WFXT-TV, http://www.fox25.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.