Quote:
Originally Posted by Ramrod
It's the national anthem. He refused to sing it. I'm sure he'd be only too happy to sing "keep the red flag flying" .....speaks volumes about where his allegiance lies  |
I refuse to sing it.
Not because I don't feel privileged to have been born in the UK, but because:
1) I'm an atheist and it's called God Save the Queen.
2) The most commonly sung version says nothing about our country but instead beseeches God to look after our monarch. If that does say something about our country how depressing.
3) It's crap.
Give me an anthem that celebrates the country rather than our state religion and head of state alone and I can definitely get on board.
---------- Post added at 10:03 ---------- Previous post was at 09:59 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris
As a private citizen with no aspirations to lead this country and represent its people around the world, you are free of many of the expectations that hang round the necks of all our senior public servants.
Corbyn is a republican who nevertheless swore an oath of allegiance to the Queen at the beginning of every Parliament he has ever been elected to. Regardless of his constitutional preferences, he judged that using the form of words that allowed him to take his seat in parliament was the better course of action.
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Regarding the first paragraph indeed. Isn't it wonderful?
The second paragraph is quite unfortunate. The only way in which a republican can properly represent their constituents is to compromise on that belief by swearing an oath of allegiance to the monarch. Another no-win situation.
All in all our country isn't the greatest place for an atheist republican to form a part of the legislature. I don't envy anyone with those views that dilemma.
EDIT: That time when you realise you are far more republican than you gave yourself credit for previously. Yikes.