He stood for the National Athem and is still alive!

by kls 18 Replies latest jw experiences

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  Netty

  I remember the stress I went through, the first time I stood, or sang the national anthem. But now, not only does it come naturally, I really feel good doing it. Was awesome singing God Bless the USA, with 10,500 people at the ballpark fireworks display on Sunday, I got chills, and tears.

  I remember plenty of times, dubs, my family included, would find a stupid tricky way to already be standing, when the national anthem came on.

  So glad I dont have to worry about this anymore. And great to know my son will never have to go through that. It was great watching him stand, and put his hand on his heart, without a second thought.
• 

  undercover

  JW do stand in sign of respect for the national anthem.

  Maybe now, but not in the past. When I was growing up, JWs did not stand for either the anthem or the flag salute. This is so ingrained in older JWs that if you watch them at an event that plays the anthem, they'll still not stand up even if the crowd is singing along.

  This is one of the things that always bothered me about being a JW. Standing is showing respect, not worshipping. Go to a hockey game where a Canadian team and a US team are playing. Each country's anthem is played and all people, both Americans and Canadians stand out of respect for both nations. If it was worshipping or declaring absolute obediance to that nation don't you think the Canadians would sit down when the American anthem started?

  I have formulated my own opinion on how to show respect for flag and nation. Shouldn't everyone have that freedom and right? I always stand out of respect for both the anthem and pledge of allegiance but I do not pledge allegiance. I am glad to live here and I will be a good citizen but I will not give my complete allegiance to any man or government (or organization - again).
• 

  BluesBrother

  In the UK it is a little different in that simply standing for the National Anthem is all that is required. But the attitude of the people is rather differnt. One never hears it played anymore at theatres or cinemas. It is still played at international sporting events where a team is playing foe Enland or Britain, and there people do stand and sing, but often irreverent words - it is more to try and get behind your team than to respect the country.

  When I was young the Anthem was a much bigger issue. I was at a School concert once when it came on unexpectedly. As a dub child I was deeply ashamed that I stood with the rest. But I chickened out of that one. At theatres and cinemas in 50's -60's the anthem would close the evening and as dubs we would rush out, and miss the end if necessary.

  As an adult though I always thought the issue was unnecessary . I reasoned that if they all stand respecfully at the opposition's anthem at international football matches, then it must mean that is simple respect , not worship or allegiance that is signified. The apostle Paul said that Christians must show respect to the authority.

  BTW kls, a good move for your man ! .
• 

  jeanniebeanz

  i hope this is some kind of break through.

  I hope so too, KLS.

  Jean
• 

  Carol

  I've noticed that a lot of the former JW's from the US talk about not standing for the Flag Salute????? My mother started studying at the end of '59, was baptised January of '60......we were still in the tar and feather the JW's era, however we were told as children to stand respectfully....not put our hands over our heart and not say the words. I guess the don't stand was either something that came out later and I didn't pay attention or done in certain areas???

  But then again, it seems the CO and other "older brothers" in each congo kinda made up their own rules at they went along, so as not to rock the boat of their peaceful lifestyles.
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  rebel8

  In the '70s and '80s it was a conscience matter to stand for the Pledge or not. Putting hand on the heart and saying the Pledge aloud was totally prohibited. The Anthem was pretty much as Blondie quoted--if you were already standing you could remain standing, but you had to be sure it was an accident you happened to be standing rather than it being planned. If you were seated and asked to stand for the playing of the Anthem, you could not. That is because it shows participation in the Anthem. Most times when the Anthem is played, they say, "Please stand for the playing of our National Anthem."...meaning standing in itself is considered participation. Sometimes they say, "Please stand and sing the National Anthem," but not often (at least around here in the home state of the WTS). When the Pledge is announced in schools, they say, "Please stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance." At least that was the wts logic back then. (speaking only for US customs as I don't know how it works in other countries)

  In my cong, people who chose the loosest interpretation of conscience matters were marked as bad association and pretty much verbally abused for it. So "taking a stand" on conscience matters were only an opportunity to display moral superiority, while taking the easier choice would result in semi-shunning.
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  Carol

  Well Rebel8, what a difference 100 miles makes.......I grew up in South Jersey and wasn't shunned for standing......the length of my skirts maybe...the fact my dad wasn't a JW maybe (unless one of the JW's couldn't pay their electric bill and then he'd hide the disconnect notice and call them) but never for not standing. Maybe the elders down here were just tired of being tarred and feathered.
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  Honesty

  What true JWs do not do is place their hand in the heart and repeat the anthem.

  I stood. I sang. I placed my hand over my heart.

  The apostate WT/JW cult can go EFF OFF.
• 

  9thWonder

  OK Blondie ,how do you find all these things so fast ? Does your computer have wt speed find . Mann Blondie you never fail to amaze me

  I was just thinking the same thing. She must have every Watchtower bound volume on CD.