- Apr 1, 2008
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The opposition is not just Muslim. Compulsory daily singing of the National Anthem is anathema to many Australians - who often consider themselves to be secular and eschew nationalism. We had to sing it as schoolkids and it was just a laugh, although the new anthem is at least not paying homage to a distant queen. Still, it is an indoctrination process that some welcome - others, for their own good reasons, reject it. Christians loom large amongst them.How about Muslims kids walking out on our national anthem this week? I see your point but i still dont see why a country have to adapt to your needs instead of you adapting to the local customs? if you are refugee the country is doing a big favour to you by granting you the right to work and live. None of Islamic countries are doing that.You might argue that Turkey and Lebanon is doing it but that is a farce, those are all concentration camps and they have no right to live and work there.
"Mark Schloneger, a Mennonite pastor and an alum of Goshen College - which recently decided to forego the singing of the national anthem at sporting events - described how his religion's teachings on separation of church and state lead to the decision to skip the anthem."
The J.W's (whom I also respect despite being an atheist!) "Patriotic songs express the same fundamental ideas that are embodied in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. And since there is no Scriptural basis for the nationalistic pride that has so divided our world, we do not join in singing songs that extol any earthly nation.—Acts 17:26; John 17:15, 16."
And more than just the one school/denomination seems to share those sympathies. They CHANGED the wording!!!....
"In a move that outraged parents' groups have labelled "disrespectful", some 50 Christian schools of mixed denominations have replaced the second verse of Advance Australia Fair with the lyrics, which begin, "With Christ our head and cornerstone, we'll build our nation's might", for school assembly renditions.
The contentious version was penned 23 years ago by Sri Lankan immigrant Ruth Ponniah, 75, who now lives in Sydney, as part of her local church's bicentennial celebrations and is now sung in schools including the Penrith Christian School, St George Christian School, Westmead Christian Grammar School and Bethel Christian School in Mt Druitt."
Personally, I am not mad on singing it, but resent the idea that I would HAVE to just because of some vague and ludicrous ideal that the nation is some sort of paragon to be worshipped. I am 4th generation Anglo-Aussie and "rejoice" in the place. But, it ain't perfect and if I had a fundamental belief opposed to the NA, I would also refuse to sing. Likewise, if they made it compulsory. "Young and FREE"!!??