A few days ago the new Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn caused something of a stir when he chose not to sing the UK National Anthem at a Battle of Britain remembrance ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral. The guy is a staunch republican you see, as well as an atheist, so he
wouldn't really be in favour of singing "God save the Queen". I made a comment about it on my Facebook page and I know this is a bit late but here are my thoughts on the matter.
I have never been in favour of someone being forced or put under pressure to violate his or her conscience. I personally think it is sad that Jeremy Corbyn is an atheist republican, but if he truly does think that, it would be hypocritical for him to sing the national anthem, which is all about God saving a monarch. Anyone opposing his right to freedom of conscience in this matter is undermining their own right to the same. To me it's a no brainer, so I was quite a bit dismayed that so many people (including Simon Danczuk MP) were taking him to task over it. I don't like his view either. Come to that, I couldn't be more diametrically opposed to Mr Corbyn politically, but we can't have freedom of expression only for people we agree with!
I have never been in favour of someone being forced or put under pressure to violate his or her conscience. I personally think it is sad that Jeremy Corbyn is an atheist republican, but if he truly does think that, it would be hypocritical for him to sing the national anthem, which is all about God saving a monarch. Anyone opposing his right to freedom of conscience in this matter is undermining their own right to the same. To me it's a no brainer, so I was quite a bit dismayed that so many people (including Simon Danczuk MP) were taking him to task over it. I don't like his view either. Come to that, I couldn't be more diametrically opposed to Mr Corbyn politically, but we can't have freedom of expression only for people we agree with!
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