A small town Christmas parade is making headlines across the country because of its mandatory “declaration of faith” for all parade participants.
The Cookeville-Putnam County Christmas Parade in Cookeville, Tennessee is an annual holiday tradition beloved by residents. But this year the parade is a little different, and what was in years past an event hosted by the city’s Chamber of Commerce is now being put on by two local churches - and they want to ensure that everyone participating in the parade is doing so on their terms.
Christians Only
The controversy over the parade began spreading when The Tennessee Holler posted the required statement of faith on X (formerly Twitter). The lengthy statement is included in the parade application, and all parade applicants are required to sign the statement of faith in order to receive approval to participate in the festivities.
While some of the required statements are fairly standard Christian beliefs - belief in the holy spirit, the virgin birth, eternal salvation, and so on - others touch on controversial hot-button political issues.
“We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person biological male or female,” reads one section.
“We believe God’s plan for human sexuality is to be expressed only within the context of marriage, that God created man and woman as unique biological persons made for each other,” reads another part. Parade applicants had to agree that "marriage is exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female."
It wasn't just anti-LGBTQ messaging parade participants were required to sign, but also anti-abortion sentiment as well. "We believe that human life is sacred from conception to its natural end," reads one part.
Outrage quickly spread online over those two sections in particular, with many wondering why parade participants would need to cosign anti-transgender, anti-same-sex marriage and anti-abortion beliefs in the first place.
The Backlash Begins
The pledge was viewed hundreds of thousands of times online, and officials from both Cookeville and Putnam County were quick to confirm that they weren’t involved in the parade, nor its controversial pledge. The city of Cookeville issued a statement washing their hands of the parade, saying the event was now in the hands of two local churches - Life Church and The River Community Church.
“The City had nothing to do with the handoff to this group and still has nothing to do with the production or operation of the Christmas parade,” reads a post on the city of Cookeville’s official Facebook page. “The private group simply applied for a temporary street closure for a parade, as any other private group is permitted to do and as any kind of parade-type event requires.”
But the city’s attempt to shirk responsibility only stoked flames further, prompting hundreds of angry responses on the post.
“What a disgusting cop out of a statement,” wrote one commenter. “The city has every ability to not let this be discriminatory but they’re choosing not to. What a shame on the city of Cookeville. This is why people are turning away from church as well.”
“The Christmas parade is not what’s controversial,” wrote another. “The bigoted, hateful language in the entry form is what’s controversial.”
Parade Restored
A week later, the backlash showed no signs of slowing down - the local PBS affiliate WCTE pledged not to cover the event, and residents mounted a fundraising campaign for an alternative “inclusive holiday parade” to take place around the same time.
But the city just announced that they’re actually taking control of the parade back from the two churches, and that the controversial Christian pledge will no longer be required for parade hopefuls. They've even hired one of the organizers of the alternative inclusive parade to the parade committee to ensure all feel welcome to attend and participate in the parade.
But is the damage already done? The churches putting on the parade for the city clearly felt like there was nothing wrong with promoting biblical values during a parade celebrating a Christian holiday. But the strong backlash in Cookeville and beyond proves that many disagreed that excluding the LGBTQ+ community is the reason for the season, and that the holidays should remain apolitical.
What is your response?
16 comments
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Michael Burton
I hope it rains on their parade.
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Reverend Paula Copp
Keep your religion out of my bedroom and we’ll be fine!
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Chris Woodward
I assume the parade was initially being paid by the churches involved, but I am not aware of how it was funded and organized. Nonetheless, if paid and organized by the churches, then it is within their rights to decide who can attend. However, this is only viable under the conditions that the parade happen within confined areas controlled by those churches. Extending the parade into public space, and/or using public funds to pay for the event, means involving those with differing beliefs. At which point this act becomes one of force and self-righteousness. It can be broadly simplified by saying that all acts of wrongdoing are either selfish or foolish. Whether your belief is true or false (stated as such because I know of nobody who has a confirmable direct interaction with a supreme being), forcing your belief system on others is selfish. It also causes disgust in others witnessing the event. This turns them away from what could otherwise be a valid faith system. Thus, forcing your beliefs on others is also foolish. But their reasoning is likely the most damnable. Their requirements indicate that they are intending to invalidate the existence of anyone who does not fit into their beliefs. Jesus stopped people from stoning a prostitute by pointing out that those attempting the act are not without sin. These churches act as if they are trying to bring stoning back into favor because their faith (or willful ignorance as defined by another poster) makes them superior to all others. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Those who do evil in God's name will not go unpunished. God wants people to come unto him by choice, not by force. It is proper to teach belief through wisdom. It is an act of evil to do otherwise. So, unless you can throw a mountain into the ocean, pass on your beliefs with the humility God requires.
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Dan Anderson
If this parade is located on private property ONLY, then a profession of faith is fine. If one is going to go in public with this 'operation', then it is unconstitutional.
If it is an issue of Christmas being a Christian celebration only, then you need to realize that Christmas is celebrated by people of many religions as well as agnostic and agnostic. Many department stores and other businesses in Japan celebrate Christmas. Remember that a grand total of 1.6% of the population of Japan are Christian. (Yes, Buddhists also participate in Christian.
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Russel A. Kester
Sounds like democracy worked. The counties made a bad decision to handover the festivities held on behalf of the entire community to two churches with foreseeable issues. Then the community spoke out and it was rectified.
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Danny D. Maynard
It seems to me that this smacks as a sure violation of the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution, whereby the government is declaring that participants in a sanctioned event requires one to be Christian. This also smacks of government-sanctioned coercion as well. This is one step closer to a fascist-led takeover of the government at all levels.
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Rev. Dr. Father JJ
You would be absolutely right except...you're not. You should have read the entire story instead of stopping at 'personally outraged'. Among other things, you would have discovered that the parade was being organized by two churches and THEY were the ones who get to decide who marches and who doesn't
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Russel A. Kester
Danny, your concerns about religious freedom and government overreach are understandable, but your argument appears to be based on misconceptions and exaggerations.
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High Priestess Vega
F it. If they want to run more people off from Christianity and the church, go right ahead. Let them do it. Go make your own celebration. Who would want to be around people who think like this to start with???? Also, remember, unless you are ultra rich, the internet is forever and people don’t forget.
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Colleen McAllister
A sad sign of out times post Trump. The permits should have never been granted
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Pastor Xal
These types of stories will become more prevalent if Project 2025 becomes the agenda of the USA. Churches having hate rhetoric cloaked behind awords such as "Christian values" is dangerous, divisive and not at all Christian like.
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Russel A. Kester
Pastor Xal, overall, your comment is poorly written and lacks substance. It fails to provide any evidence to support your claims and relies on generalizations and subjective opinions.
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CB Cuff
I don't think Santa would approve. How would parents explain to their children that Santa was a no-show? Boo!
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Danny D. Maynard
Of course, you mean Pagan Santa Claus!
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Dane
Anytime churches decide to grandstand like this, I am always reminded of Matthew 6:5.
"When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get."
Why??? A declaration of faith? People of all faiths enjoy participating in and attending a Christmas Parade. Spoiling it by requiring a declaration of faith will only drive people away. Is that what they really want for the Christmas season? Everyone of every faith knows why Christmas is celebrated by Christians. Is it necessary to rob those who won't sign the pledge of the joy of the season? Get real, people! To thine own self be true.