What do atheists do when it comes to singing the national anthem?

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Well?

[Sebastian Toe]

I can't speak for atheists but on a personal note, the last time that I performed that song was in school,  over 50 years ago!

[Nearly Sane]

I take it you mean the UKish National Anthem. Don't sing it but that's because I am a republican.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

I take it you mean the UKish National Anthem. Don't sing it but that's because I am a republican.

So would you sing it if you were a monarchist?

[Nearly Sane]

So would you sing it if you were a monarchist?

Don't know, never been one.

At the Commonwealth Games in 2014, I sang Jerusalem at the boxing because I felt sorry that the English fans didn't seem to know the words.

To be honest, I'm not sure I'd sing any national anthem in many circumstances, as I'm not very patriotic either.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Vlad,

Presumably the same things a-dragonists do whenever the opportunity to sing “Puff the Magic Dragon” arises.

You’ve fallen into the trap again of thinking the term “atheists” represents some sort of collective behaviour. It doesn’t.   

[Maeght]

As an atheist republican, and being rather shy and self conscious, I don't sing it but stand to show respect to what it is.

[Gordon]

I treat the UK mational anthem with the contempt it deserves and just ignore it - have to say though that I can't remember coming across it recently.                                                                   

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Vlad,

Presumably the same things a-dragonists do whenever the opportunity to sing “Puff the Magic Dragon” arises.

Or indeed a multiversist when a chance to chant the theme from star wars.arises.

[Maeght]

Or indeed a multiversist when a chance to chant the theme from star wars.arises.

That doesn't really work.

[Outrider]

Well?

I sing it, usually. Not well, but I suspect that's not the point of the question. I sing it because the lyrics are, to a large extent, independent of the sentiment which is that, for all its faults, this is a great country and I'm glad that I was born here and not in any number of other significantly worse places. It's a celebration of the glorious, incongruous, self-contradictory mess that is the UK and its complicated history.

If I were asked, I'd say I think there could be a better anthem (the dirge-like tenor of the music is more problematic for me than the lyrics, but changing those would be an improvement), but the fact that it's not ideal doesn't mean that it has be disregarded. In fact, if anything, the fact that it isn't perfect sort of fits.

O.

[ekim]

In the days when cinemas played the National Anthem at the end of a performance I was one of those who rushed to get to the exit before people stood to attention.  It's an old form of conditioning but dedicated to one person rather than a nation.  I would prefer, if played at sporting events, for something less dreary.

[BeRational]

I have sung it, not very often but I do not see an issue here.

Am I missing something.

I have said the lords prayer at a funeral as well.

[ProfessorDavey]

I try not to.

But it really is an epic fail to have a national anthem where the first five words evoke a fundamental disagreement from at least a third of the people in that very country.

[jeremyp]

It's just a song. I sing try to sing it.

[Nearly Sane]

I'm distraught that Vlad with one simple question has exposed the huge rifts in the Atheist Community Collective.

 

[ProfessorDavey]

I would prefer, if played at sporting events, for something less dreary.

Jerusalem would be much better.

I agree it is a dirge compared to the stirring anthems the French, USA and Russia (to name but three) have.

[jeremyp]

Jerusalem would be much better.

I agree it is a dirge compared to the stirring anthems the French, USA and Russia (to name but three) have.

I once suggested that we should replace our God Save the Queen (as was) with a Beatles song. There's a tune at the start of "All You Need is Love" that would make an excellent National Anthem.

[Nearly Sane]

Jerusalem would be much better.

I agree it is a dirge compared to the stirring anthems the French, USA and Russia (to name but three) have.

Though Jerusalem only really works as an English sporting anthem.

[jeremyp]

Though Jerusalem only really works as an English sporting anthem.

As well as being a text book case of Betteridge's law.

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountain green?

No

And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

No

And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

No

And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark satanic mills?

No.

And yes, there's a lot of mention of England there. Not much of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

[Bramble]

How about a couple of minutes silence instead.

[ProfessorDavey]

As well as being a text book case of Betteridge's law.
NoNoNoNo.

And yes, there's a lot of mention of England there. Not much of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

It wouldn't work in a UK context, but I mentioned this in response to ekim's point about sporting events. And in most cases we'd therefore be dealing with the representative nations, not the UK. Let's not forget that Scotland/Wales already sing their own non-British national anthems at sporting events.

But Jerusalem is a great stirring sing, unless God save our ... dirge, dirge, dirge.

[ProfessorDavey]

Though Jerusalem only really works as an English sporting anthem.

True - see above. But Scotland and Wales already have their own bespoke anthems.

[Nearly Sane]

True - see above. But Scotland and Wales already have their own bespoke anthems.

Jerusalem was used at the Commonwealth Games, so England have their own, and NI have Danny Boy then - though GSTK at football.

What do you suggest gets played at the Olympics in place of GSTK?

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Vlad,

Presumably the same things a-dragonists do whenever the opportunity to sing “Puff the Magic Dragon” arises.

I hate to be the one who breaks this to you, Hillside....but “Puff the magic dragon” isn’t actually about Dragons.