National anthem

[123everton]

Could, should an atheist refuse to sing the national anthem?

[123everton]

In America a few years ago an atheist tried to change the pledge of allegiance from "one nation under God", he failed.
At first I thought what a pointless piece of Chakaesque posturing, until it turned out that the pledge itself had been changed to that by Eisenhower.
I'm amazed noone's challenged it yet.

[NoMercy]

And there's plenty more where that came from...

My God (excuse me) my face is bright red...

[naomi24]

Love it! Today AB ... tomorrow the world!! Go NM!

[NoMercy]

Today, Whisky...

Tomorrow... Nurofen !!

[craft1948]

I love naomi.....very clever lady but still has an excellent sense of humour :-)

even though I don't always agree with her......

[naomi24]

Maybe the atheists take it with a pinch of salt, Everton.

[naomi24]

Thank you Craft .... you're not so bad yourself.

Actually, sensible people don't always have to agree to be able to get on. Theland (when he was around) and I used to have real humdingers of fights - but we loved each other madly. Err.. not in the biblical sense, you understand. ;o)

[craft1948]

no begatting then.....

[naomi24]

Fat chance. Not a beget in sight! Rubbish place this to pick up a bloke! Just as well I'm married.

[MarkRae]

> "Losing My Religion"

That's a deep South expression which means at the end of one's tether.


> "Imagine"

Have you actually read the lyrics to that song...?

[MarkRae]

Are you being deliberately obtuse...?

[fredpuli47]

John Lennon, himself, described his song Imagine as 'anti-religious'. 'Imagine there's no Heaven...' It was played by the bells of Liverpool Anglican Cathedral once, which called for an explanation from the Church of England. Probably the Church authorities hadn't studied the lyrics either !

[jno]

I don't know if the idea of a 'national anthem' has any legal force, so it's possible we could all just decide as Billy Connolly does to use the theme from the Archers instead

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwsUWcK-PzY

The Australians don't have an official one, after all.

Most countries' anthems do reflect the aspirations or the history of the nation in some way. The Ukrainian one begins 'Ukraine is not dead yet', which is a bit feeble; at the other end of the spectrum you've got the gutters running with blood in the Marseillaise. Quite a few mention God, I think, but very few devote the lyrics not to the country but to the monarch.

Anyway, nobody has to sing it. At the start of international matches you can see the players are just muttering 'rhubarb' and the crowd will actually start singing 'Swing low sweet chariot' or chanting 'Barmy army' or something - you seldom hear them burst out with GSTQ, do you?

[chakka35]

I am certainly an atheist and when I go to church for social reasons, while ignoring all the worshipping bits I join in loudly in the hymns. And why not? Most songs, musicals and operas are about fictional people so where's the harm in singing about a non-existent God and doubtfully real Jesus?
To refuse to do so would be bigotry, something I prefer to leave to our religious brethren.

The same would apply to the National Anthem if I ever had cause to sing it.

[MarkRae]

> you seldom hear them burst out with GSTQ, do you?

That is simply untrue. It is very common (at least once per match) for the English fans at an England football international to start singing the national anthem...

[Sqad]

I don't sing at all, to ANYTHING.

I associate the National Anthem with being British.

[MarkRae]

> I associate the National Anthem with being British.

Harrumph! Perhaps you ought to "think again"...