So when the National Anthem comes on…at baseball games, cause there’s nowhere else I would be that its playing…I stand. Take my hat off, and put my hands behind my back. I don’t “Put my hand over my heart and stare at the flag wistfully while Uncle Sam puts his hand on my shoulder.”
Thats just nigh-cult like behavior to me. Nigh-religious. And if anyone else does it, I dont care! Thats fine, but don’t try and compel me into some kind of physical act.
On a side note: Same for the Pledge of Allegiance. Not that I run into that outside of a middle school graduation. I won’t even stand for that. I’m not pledging to a GD piece of cloth…sorry. I ranted.
Anyway I post this because its been less then a week since the election and the chuds are going after Michael Strahain for “Not putting his hand over his heart” Just standing with his hands crossed in front isn’t enough. Foffffff chuds. Get that compelled shit out of here.
Hell…you could argue that being compelled to stand, put your hand over your heart and stare at a flag for two minutes (Four if its like Beyonce singing) violates Christian beliefs.
Anyhooooo…what do you all do at events that play the National Anthem?
I’m retired military, so I don’t feel obligated to do the hand over heart with head bowed bullshit. I don’t wear hats, so that’s not an issue. I stand with my hands crossed in front of me. That’s it. I don’t sing, I don’t dance.
Pledge of allegiance: I can’t remember the last time it was recited while I was in attendance anywhere. But again, I don’t feel any obligation to recite it. My service proved my allegiance, and if anybody questioned me I’d have to give them a polite “fuck off”.
I stand, never sit, take off my baseball hat and place it over where my heart should be, holding on to it with my right hand, throughout the anthem. My left arm and hand are behind my back and my legs are slightly spread. If I can endure that for three minutes I won’t get heckled or have a beer thrown in my general direction. I don’t sing along since that would be cruel and unusual punishment to anyone sitting near me.
When the National Anthem is played, I stand, and if I’m wearing a hat, I take it off.
When the Pledge of Allegiance is said, I stand and put my hand over my heart, saying it aloud but omitting the “under God” that was never part of the original.
It means I’m saying “one nation indivisible” when everyone else is saying the add-on part about a non-exisitent deity. I make sure to say it clearly and loud, then pause for the group to catch up.
I had hoped we had figured this out when it was a big “controversy” with Obama. Personally, the only thing I’d say is to be respectful to any anthem being played. I’m convinced the people that argue more than that are basically trolling.
If I’m at a meeting, and they say the pledge of allegiance, I either skip the “under God” part, or I just mouth the words, without actually saying them, in case someone is watching me.
I want to reiterate it just feels ‘odd’ to ME to put my hand over my heart. I don’t think anyone else is 'in a cult". “It feels cult-like” is just me trying to explain why it feels weird. It feels like a ‘compelled physical gesture’. I’d feel the EXACT same way if I were on an athletic team trying to make me kneel for the national anthem in solidarity for something. I’d have to ask myself serious questions.
As someone said elsewhere…just be respectful. Straihan was holding still, standing and with his hands crossed in front. Its not like he had his back turned, playing on his phone.
I can’t remember the last time I was in a situation where the national anthem was played. But I don’t think I would stand, and certainly not participate. Jingoism doesn’t appeal to me.
Pledge of Alliegance? Hell no. What are we, third-graders?
Due to my teaching career, I was at many, many high school sporting events, concerts, and assemblies. I stood. Usually I put my hand over my heart out of habit (from the Pledge).
Every morning, students led the school in the Pledge of Allegiance. (This was student-initiated.) I stood, hand over my heart, and recited, leaving out “under God,” not because I don’t believe (I do), but because I also believe in the separation of church and state. I also kept a sharp eye out to make sure no students were hassling my JW students or the few other kids who elected not to stand.
I would never be somewhere where the pledge of allegiance is done. At a sporting event where they play the national anthem, I’d try to be in the men’s room or in line getting beers. If I’m at my seat I’d stand.
At a superbowl party at someone’s home, I’ve noticed we all just sit, eat, drink, maybe laugh at the singer.
A good friend is a local musician. He sings the national anthem at many of the Penguin home games each year in exchange for tickets.
It’s more about avoiding a conversation that I really don’t want to have. I don’t want to defend why I’m leaving some words out. No good can ever come from that discussion.
This is a long-standing joke between my husband and I. Years ago, we were at a baseball game with my sister and were in the club when the national anthem was played. She jumped up and told us we should be standing. One of us said “we aren’t watching it in person, it’s on TV. Do you stand up in your living room?” She said yes , so every time we are with her when it’s played on TV, we just look at her and start laughing. One day, she’ll either figure it out or ask.
For the majority of my life that was my stance. One day I realized that I am proud of my rational viewpoint and lack of belief in god(s). Sure, there are people who will think less of me once they know I’m an atheist, but truth-be-told, their irrational belief system affects how I think of them.