Since it’s use as the temple of Athena, it has also been consecrated as a Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mother, an Islamic Mosque and an ammo dump.

I prefer to worship in front of the ammo dump.

Extraneous apostrophe. Damn.

I would quibble that it is not a pagan temple, but a replica of one. That building is a museum, not a place of worship.

See, I think he’s just going there because it makes a nice photo op. Very stately and reminiscent of the Lincoln Memorial.

(Which was designed to be reminiscent of a Greek Temple, so there you go.)

The Parthenon was the central piece in the Centennial Exposition.

The building and its history was a celebration of the statehood of Tennessee.

Nashville has long been known as “the Athens of the South” because of its reputation for hosting so many schools.

Dean was elected on an education platform.

Brooks doesn’t know her history, but sure knows how to gasp and swoon and clutch at her pearls at the slightest perceived offense.

Nothing to see here.

I thought he picked it to commemorate the climactic assassination of Barbara Jean at the Hal Phillip Walker rally.

It’s a pagan temple? I must have missed all the pagan ceremonies they hold there.

Oh, wait. It’s not a pagan temple. It’s a museum. It’s a replica of a building from Greek antiquity, built when Nashville declared itself the “Athens of the South” over a hundred years ago.

The fact that some folks are offended at the choice today merely proves how unworthy Nashville is of the “Athens of the South” moniker.

The fact that some folks are offended at the choice today merely proves how unworthy Nashville is of the “Athens of the South” moniker.

Is history a hole in Ms. Brooks’ home schooling curriculum?

Barbara Jean: Never forget.

would this mean that there is going to be some live sacrificing? that might be worth checking out.

i agree with brittney. it’s a museum that happens to be shaped like an ancient and archeologically significant temple. have you seen any ancient romans running around in togas swearing to thor recently? it ain’t a temple… it’s a replica.

now why nashville has a replica of an ancient and archeologically significant temple, i STILL don’t understand…

have you seen any ancient romans running around in togas swearing to thor recently?

I don’t think there were many of those in ancient Rome, either, as Thor was a Norse god.

This Christian is not offended and thinks it’s a neat idea to do the inauguration there.

have you seen any ancient romans running around in togas swearing to thor recently?

I don’t think there were many of those in ancient Rome, either, as Thor was a Norse god.

Um, and there wouldn’t be Romans (with or without togas) either, given that it’s a replica of a Greek temple.

But the romans did take control of Greece and utilise the Parthenon

Very true Katherine. Not bein snarky up here in the hills. Just had this rather humorous vision of the Greeks, Roman, and Viking stew.

I’ve been to some (mostly Christian) weddings in the Parthenon, and on one occassion I can remember a Nashville Scene party at the place, too. I seem to recall that SOME people who went to that party came dressed in togas; or maybe that was the afterparty, I forget.

now why nashville has a replica of an ancient and archeologically significant temple, i STILL don’t understand…

It was a literal representation of Nashville as “Athens of the South.”

I’ve been to some (mostly Christian) weddings in the Parthenon, and on one occassion I can remember a Nashville Scene party at the place, too. I seem to recall that SOME people who went to that party came dressed in togas; or maybe that was the afterparty, I forget.

Well, if there was no drinking of the blood of Christian babies (with snowflake baby ice cubes) and no wiping of hindparts with the Shroud of Turin, it’s hardly pagan.
.

Geez, does Kay want us to tear it down?? I can’t see how it’s the government’s business to choose one religion over another by not celebrating a piece of civic property, that happens to be a replica of an ancient temple. Whose religion is no longer practiced.

Well, Greeks wore tunics, not togas, and Romans usually wore togas only in Italy (it started out as only in the city of Rome, but got expanded), so I don’t think toga parties help make this the Athens of the South, either.

I think it would be more appropriate if the ceremony were to be held in a metro park with some significant city landmark in the background.

Oh. Wait!

Paul - LOL!!

Sheesh, do people not have enough to complain about??

A little education can be very dangerous thing.

The Athens Parthenon was once a temple to the godess Athena.

Nashville Parthenon was for years the site of the city’s most ostentatious display of Christian heritage: an annual giant, lit-up Nativity Scene.

And the local version is the pagan one?

[…] Dean’s inauguration will not be held at the Parthenon as previously reported sending the blogosphere into a tizzy. Kay Brooks has the accurate info on the location of the swearing in. Share and […]

Well, since the ancient Parthenon is now used as a backdrop for Yanni concerts I think the replica is totally in the clear from being considered a religious venue.

One look at SXSW or the Austin City Limits Festival shows just how unworthy Nashville is of the Music City USA moniker, as well. More like Music Business USA.

Paul, I adore you.
And Gavin, Bwwaaahahhha.
I want to be there for that. (Wait, maybe not.)
With that said, I only have one response.
ARRRAHHHHGGHHH.
Man, is this really a topic that is happening in Nashville?
Now it’s at city hall.
I’m sorry. I find this whole thing ridiculous.
The Parthenon is a lovely place and its part of Nashville.
I’m just astounded.

Hey, now, lcreekmo, as the loudmouth polytheist of the group, I feel compelled to point out that, after a hard fight and as of 2006, Greeks in Greece can now worship the Greek gods and have the benefits of being recognized by the State.

I think Kay needs to devote her next post to why all Christian churches should remove the columns from their fronts as such building features evoke pagan greek and roman architecture.

Aunt B., I gladly stand corrected.

Leave it to worldly Nashvilleans like KB to confuse a replica with reality. Come to think of it, that seems to be her basic mode–substituting her own version of the world, however artificial, for the diversity of human experience. But she really out to be on her former colleagues at the school bboard for the terrific inequities of how they are are forcing ‘Standard School Attire’ on some religions and not on others. Maybe the school board should start meeting at the Parthenon, preferably the one in Greece.

Apparently it’s NOT a pagan temple. I just got an invite to the inauguration and it’s going to be at the “Public Square, Historic Courthouse.”

I’m not sure where exactly that is, though. Hmm… If only they’d picked a more recognizable landmark, you know? Something by a huge park with lots of parking, something with a landmark identified with the city.

If only …