Comments on: Mixing sign language and music.

By: Debra Stephens

Debra Stephens — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:43:38 +0000

We have a small deaf ministry at our church, and recently had a sign language choreography class at camp (taught by a deaf person). The kids enjoy it, have a chance to ask questions and gain knowledge about the deaf community, and some have gone on to really learn ASL. I had a brief sarcastic thought moment (I have those) during their performance at camp – wondering if it was too “Napolean Dynamite” instead of worshipful. I’m on the fence on this one.

By: Alleycat

Alleycat — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 04:41:15 +0000

Ha ha ha!! Am I a bad person because I thought it was hilarious seeing Denise Richards dance around the stage with a crucifix to “You’re just too good to be true, can’t take my eyes off of you…”

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 22:18:03 +0000

Do you really not finding signing beautiful? I started studying ASL when I was in grade school, and now Hubby and I are finishing a course to become interpreters. Languages can absolutely be beautiful, spoken or signed. I love the sound of the Japanese or Latin languages, as well.

By: Tara

Tara — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 20:24:54 +0000

I grew up in a very conservative church where you were not allowed to dance but you COULD sign. Signing to the music is the “acceptable” way of dancing in church. I think it just shows how the heart finds any way to dance before God that it can.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 22:31:26 +0000

I recently ministered in dance and incorporated a few signs to enhance the dance. Our ministry is not equipped to communite with people who are deaf and the dance was not presented that way nor does our church. It was a form of worship do the Lord incorparating the expressiveness of some sign language because I believe it is beautiful…but I was told that it was offensive to the deaf community by someone hearing that goes to my church who actually interprets for the deaf. Is this really true? I would think it would be a compliment that I actually investigated the correct sign to use in my dance. If not… I apologize because that was not my intent. I would welcome more insight. Thanx

By: jesusluver7

jesusluver7 — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 03:39:06 +0000

I'm 15, and I sign all the time, it's my second language.
But I still always get nervous talking to "real deaf people"
and will sometimes totally freeze, and having to spell out, instead
of sign some words..totally embarassing.=P

but signing to a song, can be like dancing to a song,
it can add so much more emotion,
and personalize it more. =)

By: thoughtriver

thoughtriver — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:06:51 +0000

This takes me back to my childhood. We had so many things at church that used sign language, and we had 0 people who needed it.

By: stacikristine

stacikristine — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:53:55 +0000

We had a "band" that led the music part of chapel at our college, and two girls signed the whole time. We still make fun of them. But I absolutely LOVE when a true interpreter signs during songs or services.

By: ANW remix

ANW remix — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:07:43 +0000

I didn't start signing during worship until I took an ASL class and learned about the culture and the beautiful language. And I don't do it as a show…I do it as another way of worshiping and communicating with my Father!

By: FSPXR

FSPXR — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:20:24 +0000

see Pro Deo Sum's comment below for more information about how oppressive this appropriation can be