I know other Dopers here, from the atheist crowd, have refused to bow their heads when their group is saying grace, or participate in a silent prayer (which I have no problem with, no one should be forced to do things they don’t believe in), and some have called it a “meaningless ritual” to explain their actions (which makes sense, as God would have no meaning to an atheist).
I did recall this morning, though, that some might consider standing for the national anthem, removing your hat, hand on heart, facing the flag, etc., as another “meaningless ritual”. Sure, you’re a citizen of your country and all, but what’s the point of actually doing the things that I outlined earlier, one might argue.
Well, it’s not meaningless if it has meaning to you.
Standing for the national anthem has meaning to me. I love my country and acknowledge its history, and the work that was required (both in terms of blood spilled and hours logged in congress) to make it happen. I have a sense of reverence for what a bunch of people working together can achieve in the interest of the common good. While I feel there is a lot we could do to improve the state of things, and should do to improve the state of things, my big-picture view of America is that being a citizen is great and I love living here. Leaving aside all the random luxuries we take for granted, we have some absolutely stunning landscapes. This is my home. Of course I have pride in it.
I wouldn’t expect anyone for whom those rituals have no meaning to participate. Not everyone feels the need to externalize their deepest values in such a way, either. I tend to love tradition and ritual, particularly if I can attach meaning to it.
I’m an other. I do it for the same reason I bow my head and say amen at the end of prayers - so as not to stand out. I don’t do more then the minimum, for example no hand over my heart but I’ll stand and face the same direction as everyone else during the national anthem. i don’t think America notices anything so as long as the people around me don’t get bent out of shape by my lack of patriotism I’m good.
I feel uncomfortable participating in group events where everyone is mindlessly doing the same thing. Whether it is everyone reciting a prayer in church, or standing with hand over heart for the anthem, or chanting at an Obama rally, I just find it creepy. If I take part in it, I feel like I am no longer an individual, just a part of a collective group that I have no control over. If I don’t take part, I feel alienated and a sense that I do not belong.
Meaningless ritual. I’ll stand for the national anthem and pledge out of courtesy to the people for whom *does *have meaning.
Standing or not, I do *not *recite the pledge or do the hand-over-the-heart thing. I find the “under God” clause un-necessary and offensive, and the whole thing sounds like the kind of loyalty oath that so-called patriots were always quick to criticize when imposed by Communist governments. It’s distasteful at best, an affront to the basic principles of free speech, etc. at worst.
I also won’t stand for the playing of patriotic tunes such as “God Bless America,” although I have been at events where people did.
I sing the national anthem to the best of my ability. I don’t think the text makes much sense in terms of actual American history, but I don’t find it outright offensive. The tune was a stupid choice, but at least it’s equally un-singable by everyone.
British here, where overt displays of patriotism are deemed a little extremist, unless it’s during a football match or a royal wedding. And we certainly don’t do the ‘hand on heart’ thing.
This is what I pictured would be the prevailing attitude at the SDMB (where we usually don’t do things because other people are doing them), hense the reason for the poll in the first place.
I know, I’m a Canadian too. But I worded it the way I did recognizing that a majority of Dopers are American, if “hand on heart” doesn’t apply due to nationality, but the rest does, feel free to click “yes”.
Yes, the fact that I did something simply because the majority is that gives you a feel for my answer. Also, I’m an anthematologist, so, full disclosure and all …
I stand, I sing, I recite the pledge, I remove my hat, I place my hand over my heart - the whole bit.
Note - I spent a bit of time in the military, and currently serve as a Boy Scout leader. This was ingrained into me as reflex, but now it means a lot more to me. I spend a fair amount of my free time on displays of patriotism / respect / honoring like this. In the last month:
Two formal flag ceremonies (one at a school, one for a basketball game)
Weekly flag ceremony (Troop meeting)
Flag retirement ceremony (Boy Scout campout)
That’s a very dichotomous poll. I answered #3. I stand respectfully, but no hand over the heart. The pledge is something different, but I can’t remember the last time I did that. I would do a Roman salute, but that makes people uncomfortable for some reason.
I do it because everyone else does it. But I always get this twinge of disgust when I feel like I’m forced to say or do something. That includes fishing for compliments or even saying “talk to you later” on the phone.
Slightly hijacking, my mom’s the same way. We don’t do those closing phone conversation lines like saying “all right” a hundred times or “ttyl” or “I’ll see you tomorrow”. It’s:
Her- “So we went to the…”
Me- “I have to go.”
Her- “Bye.”
::Click::
At least two local judges regularly start court by requiring all present to remain standing and recite the Pledge of Allegiance before the judge calls the docket.
But I worded it the way I did recognizing that a majority of Dopers are American, if “hand on heart” doesn’t apply due to nationality, but the rest does, feel free to click “yes”.