Remembrance Sunday

As a former army mum, I have many military mum friends, some of whom lost their sons in more recent conflicts and I can assure you that they would be far more appreciative that people were at a service, paying their respects, than fretting over who was singing, praying or not. Being there and showing your respect is what counts.

Well, I would beg to differ.
As a service daughter, sister, wife, daughter-in-law, albeit only one of whom had to pledge the Oath of Allegiance to the Monarch.

Anecdotes are irrelevant.

MissInterpreted

As a former army mum, I have many military mum friends, some of whom lost their sons in more recent conflicts and I can assure you that they would be far more appreciative that people were at a service, paying their respects, than fretting over who was singing, praying or not. Being there and showing your respect is what counts.

You have surveyed them?

Allira

MissInterpreted

As a former army mum, I have many military mum friends, some of whom lost their sons in more recent conflicts and I can assure you that they would be far more appreciative that people were at a service, paying their respects, than fretting over who was singing, praying or not. Being there and showing your respect is what counts.

You have surveyed them?

Actually, yes, as it happens - I'm a member of several mum groups on FB and so I posed the question there. Most said it was the act of being there to pay one's respects which was important. My son may have taken the oath of allegiance. I did not.

Do you know what?
I don't give a flip what Flynn thinks or does.

He is irrelevant.

What matters is the veterans and those who died and they deserve my respect, not him. Scottish, Irish, Welsh, English, Commonwealth.

As I said - he has made it all about him and he is irrelevant.

I did not. Were you there?

Our friend was, marching, and he did not take the Oath of Allegiance either.
Commander, RN.

Yes, I was at our local service of remembrance, as I am every year. No, I did not sing the hymns nor take part in the prayers - GSTK is never sung at our local service, as I already stated earlier in this thread.

It is here.
Followed by Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
They have to get their priorities right just across the border!
I sang both (the latter phonetically).

Allira is completely right, it doesn’t matter what GN posters do at remembrance services, but it absolutely does matter that Stephen Flynn, representing the SNP Party and Scottish people joins in with singing and prayers. All eyes were on the Royals and the politicians at the Cenotaph and nothing goes unnoticed these days.It was disrespectful at best.His early life and health and so on doesn’t come into this.Scotland is part of the United Kingdom.

Agree with Allira and 0reo if people are atheists why
attended a Christian service

Anniebach

Agree with Allira and 0reo if people are atheists why
attended a Christian service

The service of remembrance is surely for those of all faiths, is it not? What about all those who served who are or were not Christians? Do they not matter? That's hardly a very Christian attitude!

This is what the Royal British Legion has to say on the subject:
"The Act of Remembrance is brief and non-religious, making it exceptionally well-suited to personalised commemorations. You may assemble whatever readings, music or other elements you wish to accompany the Act of Remembrance in order to make your own ceremony or event relevant to your particular community.
RBL doesn't prescribe what these should be but services should be inclusive of all members of the community."

Yes, they do matter, of course. To suggest otherwise is provocative.

Anniebach

Agree with Allira and 0reo if people are atheists why
attended a Christian service

I would image that if non Christian’s were not supposed to attend then a very large percentage of those marching and having given their service would not be there.
What a dreadful thing to suggest!

I tried to lighten this discussion but as you are determined that you are right, I will leave it there.

Quote ginny Sun 10-Nov-24 20:49:44
Anniebach

Agree with Allira and 0reo if people are atheists why
attended a Christian service

I would image that if non Christian’s were not supposed to attend then a very large percentage of those marching and having given their service would not be there.
What a dreadful thing to suggest!

Apologies, it was a question

MissInterpreted

Anniebach

Agree with Allira and 0reo if people are atheists why
attended a Christian service

The service of remembrance is surely for those of all faiths, is it not? What about all those who served who are or were not Christians? Do they not matter? That's hardly a very Christian attitude!

There were representatives from all faiths attending the service and those with no faith presumably but the officials i.e. the leaders of all the UK political parties should and did, apart from SF sing and join in.

They will attend of course.

It's about respect for each other.

Something to think about

At The Cenotaph
I saw the Prince of Darkness, with his Staff,
Standing bare-headed by the Cenotaph:
Unostentatious and respectful, there
He stood, and offered up the following prayer.
'Make them forget, O Lord, what this Memorial
Means; their discredited ideas revive;
Breed new belief that War is purgatorial
Proof of the pride and power of being alive;
Men's biologic urge to readjust
The Map of Europe, Lord of Hosts, increase;
Lift up their hearts in large destructive lust;
And crown their heads with blind vindictive Peace.'
The Prince of Darkness to the Cenotaph
Bowed. As he walked away I heard him laugh.

Siegfried Sassoon

I saw SF and couldn’t believe what Iwas seeing. There he stood representing the proud Scottish nation known for their bravery in military conflict and yet making it obvious he had no intention of joining in the hymns. Where was his respect for the countless Scots fallen or maimed for life who fought on our behalf. It wasn’t about him but he made it so. By the way I am not Scottish.

Ive attended Christian services although I am not a believer.It would not have been appropriate for me to cross myself, kneel, or participate. I sat at the back of the church out of the way. Ive also visited mosques in several countries. I did not kneel down and knock my head on the floor. I did however remove my shoes and cover my head.

Im sure that the creator whatever form he, she, it or they take would not give it any mind.

Dont sweat the small stuff.

Freya5

OldFrill

Yes, Stephen Flynn. If people can be bothered criticising they could at least check out who the actual person is. I don't see how he looks disrespectful, he's dressed appropriately and looking attentive, he's hardly going to look happy on such an occasion. Last year there was huge criticism that he'd held the wreath upside down (he hadn't).
Like MissI, I don't know why anyone should be compelled to sing.

You think those soldiers of old would have stood there with their with mouths shut, not singing the hyms, not saying the prayers. The act of remembrance has always been a religious ceremony.

Christians do NOT have a monopoly on Remberence.
From the British Legion - rembrance is not religious
"The Act of Remembrance is brief and non-religious, making it exceptionally well-suited to personalised commemorations. You may assemble whatever readings, music or other elements you wish to accompany the Act of Remembrance in order to make your own ceremony or event relevant to your particular community."
www.britishlegion.org.uk › ...
Your Act of Remembrance - The Royal British Legion.

My Uncle a very religious man, died aged 23, he was in the RAF, he didn't know any hymns, he didn't know much about Christianity but the air force were happy to have him.

It's not often. I'm on the side of the SNP but the so called Christian sisterhood on this thread is vile. Christianity does not own Remembrance. Nearly half of Scotland wants independence and the way some are demanding they sing hymns and GSTK it's no wonder. How DARE anyone demand that someone compromise their principles, be hypocritical and sing songs because it confirms to their narrow minded religions view. That's Christianity is it? No wonder congregations are waning and the churches are being converted into housing (actually one near here is being converted into a mosque).
Last year and this year Stephen Flynn has been heavily criticised for standing by his principles. Show done human decency, it's Remembrance not bitchfest.
Some remarks made to me on here are incredibly incredibly hurtful.

Lovetopaint037

I saw SF and couldn’t believe what Iwas seeing. There he stood representing the proud Scottish nation known for their bravery in military conflict and yet making it obvious he had no intention of joining in the hymns. Where was his respect for the countless Scots fallen or maimed for life who fought on our behalf. It wasn’t about him but he made it so. By the way I am not Scottish.

You're obviously not Scottish.
He was respectful and attentive. He just didn't sing. Respecting the dead is not about singing.
I'll be voting independence next, never felt so damned patronised. Oh and I'm British but feeling very embarrassed to be reading this thread.
I'll get back to sleep.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion