If the national anthem were not sung at professional sporting events, would you care?

I'd be glad - There's no rational relation between watching a basketball game and pledging your loyalty to your country (or in the case of baseball, having to do it twice, just in case you drifted off the path in the early innings).

Mandatory patriotism is the worst kind.

 

It's one of those things that's virtually impossible to get rid of. Lots of people may think it, but no one wants to be the guy in the MLB front offices to suggest "hey guys, I think it's time to stop signing God Bless America in the 7th inning now."

 

A lot of teams don't play God Bless America in the 7th inning.

 

I get it.

I get it. You're an educated young person who didn't care for History class.

I get it. When I was your age I pissed on everything too. Then I got older and realized everything I really wanted had piss all over it.

I get it.

 

The people who sing the National Anthem just need to learn to do it quicker and not drag out every word to extend their moment in the sun. I would support fans booing if a singer was taking too long.

 

I wouldn't be bothered by not doing playing the National Anthem but I personally think it is a good thing. Yes it is a somewhat cheesy appeal to patriotism but I don't think it is mandatory. Legally you don't have to rise, take your hat off, salute or show any sign of respect when it is played. I frequently see people eating, texting or talking at games when it is played.

What I like about it though is that it is a cultural ritual and sports is one of the most important rituals that we use to maintain and transmit our culture. The playing of the National Anthem is a rather innocuous ritual but I think it is a tradition that should be maintained.

 

I fully agree with this. Too often when I hear the National Anthem sung with a lot of vocal gymnastics and hand gestures I think that American Idol has destroyed a generation of singers.

 

LOL, ask Mahmoud Abdul Rauf whether or not it's mandatory. I dare you to sit next time you go to a game to see what happens.

 

As you know the NBA as a private entity can enforce behavior standards and participation is voluntary so it isn't as though Mahmoud Abdul Rauf's rights are being threatened anymore than if he was suspended for criticizing the refs. Also Adul Rauf and the NBA did form a compromise that worked for both of them. Where he didn't have to honor the National Anthem and the US flag.

 

You know there are other things that prevent people from doing things besides laws, which is the point that is flying way over your head - and why you wouldn't really dream of remaining seated.

 

Huh? I've seen people sit. I guess they get a few dirty looks sent their way, but it's not like you'll get arrested for it.

I'll admit that I rather like it. Given the general ugliness that can occur between sports teams (Wednesday's game thread is going to be vicious), it's nice to have a moment beforehand which reminds us that we're all Americans and part of one nation.

Do agree on the singers however who treat it like a damn pop song.

 

Just to add one reason why I have no problem with the National Anthem and ritual in general with sports is that in Judo we have had a similar situation regarding bowing before matches. Many people because of religious reasons cannot bow and many have argued that we shouldn't bow in the US because of it's Shinto Japanese context. Bowing at the start of a match is actually an official rule in the International Judo Federation and USA Judo and failure to do so can result in a disqualification penalty. There have been lawsuits brought against USA Judo over this which have been defeated on the basis that USA Judo is a private entity and participation is voluntary.

My own view has always been as a player, coach and referee that Judo was specifically created as a system to transmit Japanese culture and as such bowing is an important ritual and in many ways more important to Judo than specific techniques like throws or joint locks.

 

Me personally I don't remain seated because I respect and agree with the ritual but at almost any game I see plenty of people remain seated and not paying attention. As others noted they might get dirty looks or snide remarks but it's not like you see the cops coming and taking them out or other patrons beating them up.

 

...wait,do people have a problem with Shinto because of what occurred 70 years ago? Seriously?

 

So you're just a true patriot - you're not afraid of getting dirty looks and snide remarks and are acting a certain way to conform - gotcha.

 

I REGRET THAT I HAVE BUT ONE LIFE FREE OF SNIDE REMARKS AND DIRTY LOOKS TO GIVE TO MY COUNTRY!!!

 

WWII has less to do with it than Xenophobia and Jingoism. Chinese and Koreans who have far greater reason to hate the Japanese for WWII have no problem with participating and bowing in Judo than many Americans.

 

I see no point in singing the national anthem before sport events. If they would do this in the Netherlands I would be annoyed.

 

Actually, if I would hazard a guess ( and I'll observe that I'm utterly ignorant about judo), I think part of it could be attributed to the fact that I've noticed that Americans seem to think Shinto is a religion ( largely thanks to terrible high school social studies textbooks), when it really isn't - Japan's pretty much an atheist country. Chinese and Koreans largely get that due to similar cultural ideals, meaning that there's conflict of religious ideals that there would be if a Christian did Shinto things.