September 21/Independence Day
Like I mentioned in a post earlier in this blog, the majority of Mennonite stores and companies are owned by the German-speaking Mennonites. The big and modern enterprises are owned and managed mostly by Kleine Gemeinde and liberal Mennonites.
Anyways, some of these big businesses use the 21st of September, Independence Day, to take their staff out for some fun and games.
Two semi-private Mennonite-run schools also hold a student's parade, usually the day before the 21st or the last school day before the 21st. Patriotic flags, banners, and music in a Mennonite community would have been unheard of not too long ago. Conservatism is releasing its hold on the KG Mennonites. Many vehicles have little national flags waving from the mirrors or antenna.
The communities that still remain closed to patriotism and national festivities are those of the Old Colony in the north and the Old Order in central and south Belize. Beachy and Holdeman Mennonites look on patriotism as a form of pride and a threat to their spiritual lives because it tempts them to become involved in politics, which is forbidden in their doctrines.
Kleine Gemeinde ministers also forbid their members to take part in patriotic activities (but it's ok to watch them) and to vote in politics (some find loopholes). But they cannot stop the whole community itself because the 2 colonies of Spanish Lookout and Blue Creek have become doctrinally, spiritually and politically divided. Non-conservative, non-KG members of their communities do whatever they want in national festivals and other political stuff.
Anyways, some of these big businesses use the 21st of September, Independence Day, to take their staff out for some fun and games.
Two semi-private Mennonite-run schools also hold a student's parade, usually the day before the 21st or the last school day before the 21st. Patriotic flags, banners, and music in a Mennonite community would have been unheard of not too long ago. Conservatism is releasing its hold on the KG Mennonites. Many vehicles have little national flags waving from the mirrors or antenna.
The communities that still remain closed to patriotism and national festivities are those of the Old Colony in the north and the Old Order in central and south Belize. Beachy and Holdeman Mennonites look on patriotism as a form of pride and a threat to their spiritual lives because it tempts them to become involved in politics, which is forbidden in their doctrines.
Kleine Gemeinde ministers also forbid their members to take part in patriotic activities (but it's ok to watch them) and to vote in politics (some find loopholes). But they cannot stop the whole community itself because the 2 colonies of Spanish Lookout and Blue Creek have become doctrinally, spiritually and politically divided. Non-conservative, non-KG members of their communities do whatever they want in national festivals and other political stuff.
Employees of Mennonite businesses are often taken to islands for staff outings
Other Mennonites see Independence Day as a regular day of work
