National anthem isn’t sacred

Please tell me you’re joking, J.W. Dennis (8/24, Letters, “Bad behavior at Arrowhead”). Changing the lyrics to the national anthem is sacrilege? My dictionary defines the word as 1. misuse or violation of that which is consecrated to God or religion or 2. desecrating of anything sacred. Sir, there is nothing sacred about a nation’s theme.

Look at the words to the verse sung at all sporting events. There is no mention whatsoever of anything even remotely connected to God. Because this is the “land of the free,” fans can substitute “Chiefs” for “brave” in the national anthem if they choose.

There may be countries in the world where changing the words of a national anthem is a crime punishable by arrest and imprisonment, but America isn’t one of them, thank God.

Oh, and I think the Lord’s Prayer is safe. Last time I heard, no one was reciting it at sporting events.

Karen White
Hamilton, Mo.

Comments

[solomon]

We all know the story of the Star spangled Banner....written by P-diddy while riding alone on KCs Rail System, watching the bombardment of city hall by Germans after the Mayors wife called a German Hitler and then said she meant it as a term of endearment.

One thing the letter writer is wrong about, the Lords prayer is said in thousands of locker rooms and pre-game and post game rituals from pee-wee to professional sports. This year it will probably be recited in Arrowhead by the fans too.

[Rogue]

This will take 11 minutes of your precious time Pube 17, but you might find it informative.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=21689194

[Rogue]

Pube 17, Edie, Edith, with all due respect you are an idiot. Do you know the circumstances surrounding the writing of the National Anthem?

Do a little research and perhaps you will understand the significance of it. But, on the other hand I doubt it because you are a certified Amercian bashing/hating liberal.

[Pub 17]

It's a good poem set to an English drinking song. It means a lot to tens of millions of people. But you start worshiping a song, ChotoCk, you need to look at whether that rises to the level of other things you hold sacred.

[ChotoCK]

Or Sacrilege: 1 : a technical and not necessarily intrinsically outrageous violation (as improper reception of a sacrament) of what is sacred because consecrated to God
2 : gross irreverence toward a hallowed person, place, or thing
Merriam Webster

Hallowed: 1 : holy, consecrated
2 : sacred, revered
Merriam Webster

[ChotoCK]

Guess Ms. White missed the other definitions of sacred:
4. Dedicated or devoted exclusively to a single use, purpose, or person: sacred to the memory of her sister; a private office sacred to the President.
5. Worthy of respect; venerable.
6. Of or relating to religious objects, rites, or practices.
(American Heritage Dictionary 4th Edition)