Eliminate National Anthem/God Bless America at sporting events?

Why? What would be accomplished by breaking a harmless tradition?

For my two cents, the National Anthem is a stupid song because it commemorates one event in a 200+ year old country. I would much prefer that GBA become the national anthem; it’s more universal and frankly, easier to sing.

But I have no issues at all with singing it before an event. Any more than I have an issue with saying the pledge of allegiance to the flag before a council meeting.

Meh, I wouldn’t really care. If they actually go through with this, I wouldn’t really mind it.
I can see how others can have a problem with this, though.

If the song is too hard for people to sing it then they shouldn’t sing it, but do you not know the significance and meaning of the history behind the song? It’s a tradition and it doesn’t bother me at all.

Often the singer screws up the lyrics? So far this year I’ve been to every single hockey game and all but one basketball game and I’ve never heard anyone of the singers screw up the lyrics. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the lyrics be screwed up as you say. And it is not particularly hard to sing like you say. Last nights game was sung by a 13 year old, flawlessly. Anyway, I don’t care either way except you’d be destroying tradition. It is a harmless tradition at that. Why don’t you just remain seated if it bothers you? My grandfather was a veteran, my father is a veteran and I myself am a veteran so I personally feel pretty good when I see and hear this tradition but I get your point, God and country apparently have no place outside the home or church anymore, all because non-believers feel offended by it. Never mind banning something like say, the smoking section in front of the stadium or processed nacho cheese that is high in fat and clots your arteries. Are you for banning toys for tots during Christmas also, since it assumes Santa exists?

The Star Spangled Banner is a pretty challenging song, it’s got a high register with intervals bouncing all over the place and it’s really easy to fall out of tune if you’re not paying attention to pitch, but I disagree that because it’s difficult it shouldn’t be sung. It’s a cultural tradition.

I really don’t see how an Atheist can’t just simply enjoy the music for what it is: Music. It isn’t difficult to hold suspension of belief for just a little while, otherwise how could one ever enjoy anything?

“WTF, Now I can’t enjoy star wars because it presumes Wookies can exist.”

I agree 100% with @judochop plus, there are far more important things to be worried about than a harmless tradition like this. For the record, I’m in the UK and have no problem at all with God Save The Queen.

God Bless America is not the national anthem.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard the lyrics be screwed up as you say. And it is not particularly hard to sing like you say.

Top 10 Worst National Anthem Performances Ever

@Charles this song gets sung many times a day. To find ten horrible performances would not be very hard to do. Ten horrible performances does not constitute a reliable muscle for your argument.