Why do they think everyone who wishes to remember the fallen should be religious?
We’ve just had the TV on watching the broadcast from the cenotaph, I haven’t watched it for many years, as I’ve usually been at work.
I just cant believe it is so religious based, T and both agreed it has turned us off watching it.
We also agree, we wish to remember the fallen (not that we really need a special day to do it), but we certainly don’t need religion thrust down our throats in the process.
After all, hasn’t just about every war ever fought stemmed from some religious disagreement?
I decided to Google why religion has crept in to something that should be, by all accounts a day to remember all those who fought in wars and lost their lives, regardless of their religious or non religious beliefs.
Here is a snippet from an article in The Guardian, which explains a lot.
The Remembrance ceremony was designed in 2005 by 14 religious groups who were invited by the government to review and renew the anniversary – which explains why the ceremony is so exclusively religious.
The full article can be read here
Why is Remembrance Day always on the nearest Sunday, after all, Armistice Day is the 11th November, the day the Armistice was signed, and is also the date to commemorate those members of the armed forces who were killed during wars.
I will continue to buy my poppy and pay my respects at the eleventh hour on the 11th November, regardless of what day it falls on, but I doubt I will be watching the ceremony at the cenotaph again 😦
I will also be remembering all the animals, who by their devotion to man, gave their lives too.
Vics Pics and More 
I don’t remember the ceremony as being overly religious, says she who hasn’t watched it in 20 or 30 years. I do remember all the former service people and existing ones marching past. Then boring old politicians laying wreaths.
I agree with you about the religion, although here in Gib it was a service as well, but remember, the predominant religion is RC, although many of these important events are multi-faith.
I seem to remember reading about why the Sunday suddenly appeared in the whole system, but it has escaped me for now. To stop the country grinding to a halt at 11am? It’s almost like moving everything to a Monday for a Bank Holiday rather than acknowledging the date itself, which always strikes me as more powerful.
I don’t remember it being so religion based either, though it is the first one I’ve watched for several years.
I think the snippet from the Guardian says it all, ‘designed in 2005 by 14 religious groups’
Moving national holidays and commemorative days for convenience does lose some of the original meaning, I agree, acknowledging the correct date is certainly more powerful.
I agree, remembering and honouring isn’t linked to religion, and I also hadn’t recollected the connection but it’s been many years since I participated in a service, usually only the minute of silence. I would think if that’s what you wanted to do, a church service would be appropriate but otherwise public, civil commemorations.
Exactly! Something that is so public, should be just that.
Vic, I agree whole heartedly, it never used to be religious. I usually watch the programme later in the evening where all of the services are represented, admittedly I didn’t watch it yesterday and looking back to yesterdays programmes wasn’t on. It involved the British Legion and all the services were represented. Proudly marching in and their respective bands playing music to march to, it was amazing! I believe it was staged at the Royal Albert Hall and usually on about 9.00pm, That to me gave the true feeling of remembrance. Apparently it was on Saturday night (just checked on British Legion website) I’m sure it was usually shown on remembrance Sunday, but obviously not this year.
My views on religion in general are that my faith is personal to me, I know what I believe and I don’t and won’t force it upon anybody. There was a thing on facebook going around which sums up what I think about people who wish to “Spread the gospel” a bit crude, but here goes……
Religion is like a penis. It’s fine to have one, it’s fine to be proud of it. But please don’t whip it out in public and start waving it around, and please don’t try to shove it down my throat!
I hope nobody is offended but it is one of the few things I feel strongly about. I think your faith is represented by the way you treat people, not by going to church or wherever to worship to prove your belief.
See what you’ve done Vic, got me on my high horse spouting. I’ll shut up now shall I?
Ina, I know the program you mean, I always used to watch it too, but couldn’t find when it was on this year either. Yes, it was excellent, especially when at the end all the poppies fell from the roof, and as you say, far more about remembering.
The quote from FB is rather apt, it made me laugh thinking how a staunch religious person would feel having their religion likened to a part of a mans anatomy 😀
Yes, I judge the quality of a person by their actions, there are probably as many bad religious folk as there are good non religious ones.
Because you made me think this morning, I looked it up on BBC and found this years British Legion festival of Remembrance and the boys had to wait for their walk while I watched it. Worth watching, they’ve brought it a bit more up to date but still very moving, in fact I think it’s better than I remember.
Ooh, was that on catch up or similar?
I must have a look thanks 🙂
I’ve just watched it on catch up……….now that was good to watch 🙂