Annointeds Daughter and AnnOMaly:
Thanks for the references that each of you provided. I reviewed all 3 of them (from out of the 1960, 1974, and 2002 Watchtower magazines.
The 1960 issue:
According to custom, one indicates that he is in sympathy with the sentiments of this song merely by standing [rising]. This fact was highlighted by the action of certain Allied officers who refused to stand at the playing of the German national anthem some time after World War II. Since the Christian is not in sympathy with the sentiments of any national anthem of this old world, he may not give others the impression that he is by rising when it is being played or sung.
The 1974 issue:
Frequently, the practice is for all in attendance at a flag-salute ceremony [Pledge of Allegiance] to stand and personally salute the flag as a pledge of allegiance to this image of the State. In such a situation the mere act of standing likely is not in itself viewed as an act of worship. Therefore, many true Christians have seen no objection to standing respectfully, but not saluting and saying the pledge. ....
With regard to the national anthem, sometimes those in a group are expected to stand and sing. This situation, then, would be comparable to what was just mentioned regarding a national flag. However, more often the audience is expected merely to stand while the anthem is played or while it is sung by one person (a soloist) but not by all. In this case, one’s standing would denote approval of the words and sentiments expressed in the song.
The 2002 issue:
When national anthems are played, usually all a person has to do to show that he shares the sentiments of the song is to stand up. In such cases, Christians remain seated. If they are already standing when the national anthem is played, however, there is no need for them to take the special action of sitting down. It is not as though they had specifically chosen to stand for the anthem. On the other hand, if a group are expected to stand and sing, then merely standing up out of respect but not singing would not constitute sharing in the sentiments of the song.
Insofar as the 3 references above are concerned, only the 2002 issue had anything to say about a person "already standing" when the national anthem began, and in such a case there would be no need to sit down.
So I think that this is the 'change in view' that you referred to earlier. However, I'm not certain that one could correctly call it a "change in view". For it to be a change in view, wouldn't the WTS had to have first taught that a JW should not remain standing if he happened to be standing when the anthem began? If the WTS never taught that, then there hasn't been a "change in view" then, has there? Perhaps the word "clarification" is more in order?
By the way, AD, in answer to your question: "What was your experience?" I was 25 years old before coming in contact with the WTS, so I never faced the neutrality issue during my school years. To tell you the truth, I can't really remember an instance when any of my teachers had the class recite the pledge of allegience. I don't think that we ever did that in the schools I went to. Nor can I remember ever being at school and hearing the national anthem played. Perhaps they both happened, and I've just forgotten. It has been a long, long time since I was in school.
Thanks again for the references. I was able to look them up on my 2006 edition of the WT Library.
