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