1911-45 Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 I have always thought the National Anthem should be sung at all major matches. I took my family to the circus last week and the lady who sang the Star Spangled Banner was a lady who shoots local matches and I did not know she sang so well. So I thought I would throw this out to all the match directors to consider asking local shooters/shooting groups who frequent their range if they would be interested. I would not do well singing solo but I will sing along! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 I could see just playing a musical version on a loud speaker at the conclusion of the shooters meeting but having a singer might be a little much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue edge Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 AS long as its done well sounds great to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuzinvinny Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 I much prefer the Pledge of Allegiance, it gets everyone involved. One of our local IDPA matches does that prior to the match. I would like to see the pledge recited before all matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1911-45 Posted February 18, 2015 Author Share Posted February 18, 2015 I think it was played over a speaker at Fallen Brethren last year. The Pledge of Allegiance is a good idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 I think there may be a difference between the two. I just deleted an entire paragraph explaining why. If you just absolutely have to know why you can always PM me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowfin Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 It's played before most other sporting events, so it definitely makes sense to do so with ours. Similarly, does anyone here huddle together with fellow competitors to pray before matches? A brief giving of thanks and asking for safety and sportsmanlike behavior as a good example for others would be quite appropriate and I'd like to start doing so where I am. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 It's played before most other sporting events, so it definitely makes sense to do so with ours. Similarly, does anyone here huddle together with fellow competitors to pray before matches? A brief giving of thanks and asking for safety and sportsmanlike behavior as a good example for others would be quite appropriate and I'd like to start doing so where I am. Praying is an individual preference I guess. Not my cup of tea at all. I was at a match somewhere when one of my squadmates tried to huddle the entire squad together for a prayer. That was awkward and kind of pushy I thought. Please don't push politics or religion down my throat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 May be a little difficult getting the band out early ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnorman Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I for one have no problem praying before a match or anything else. It's a habit of mine. I do understand that not everyone agrees with it so I just pray alone and if people want to join me that's fine. I also think the Pledge of Allegiance being played over a PA system or maybe just spoken would be acceptable too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I rather none of those things happened. What you do for yourself, pledges, prayers, etc those are up to you and as far as I'm concerned you are welcomed to do them anywhere you want, the range included. However, what is the value of a pledge that I use social pressure to make you recite? There is a very short step between peer pressured recitals of pledges of allegiance and much worse things. I may be biased but I grew up in a country were lots of things like that were required and I'll be damned if I come even close to forcing someone else to do it. So my answer is .. not at a match I run, but I respect your personal choices as long as you don't impose them on anyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beastly Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 +1 on NOT doing such things. IMHO prayers create far more division than unity and the shooting community - like more communities - is far from homogenous in its beliefs. I don't much care for public displays of patriotism under pressure of conformance either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowfin Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) Exactly what is divisive about asking for safety and everyone acting in a sportsmanlike manner and being thankful for all we have and the sport we're able to participate in? What the heck is so wrong with people these days to where a simple and well meaning prayer, commonly accepted and understood as a practice when I grew up (and I'm only 36 so we're not talking 1950's here), is now treated if it were some kind of taboo fetish or a cockroach covered plutonium and cyanide flavored ice cream sundae? I know that the shooting community is diverse, and I'm very thankful for that. I also would expect that if we know that what the anti gun crowd spews about guns and gun owners that our people also might have the insight and intelligence to gather that the same stereotypes against those who pray and pursue a life of faith aren't true either. Neither deserve to be treated or spoken about as both the anti gun and anti religious types (often the same people) frequently do. Similarly I expect people to be above the whole fake offended nonsense too. If we took every food someone might be allergic to off the grocery shelves and/or out of restaurants, nobody would have anything to eat! Edited February 24, 2015 by yellowfin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chills1994 Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 I have a problem with reciting the pledge or someone leading a prayer at a match, especially one at a state run range, with the pledge or prayer being led by a state employee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kneelingatlas Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Count me out as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 (edited) Exactly what is divisive about asking for safety and everyone acting in a sportsmanlike manner and being thankful for all we have and the sport we're able to participate in? What the heck is so wrong with people these days to where a simple and well meaning prayer, commonly accepted and understood as a practice when I grew up (and I'm only 36 so we're not talking 1950's here), is now treated if it were some kind of taboo fetish or a cockroach covered plutonium and cyanide flavored ice cream sundae? I think you can ask for whatever you wish, I think asking others to join in prayer is something that should stay off the range. We have many people of many different religious backgrounds who may not believe as you do. Is your plan to have them stand aside shuffling their feet while you conduct your prayer? Is it ok if he or she also then asks to conduct a different prayer? Then a third, or fourth? What about the non religious folks who now stand around for four different prayer services? It may have been accepted and understood in your community growing up and perhaps it was a more homogenous experience for you, but where I shoot there could probably 5 major religions represented at the range at the same time. So I don't think it is taboo, and I think you should feel free to take whatever time you want at the start of the match to address yourself in any way you wish to any higher power you wish to, and if that takes a bit longer, I have no issue with you being a bit later at your first stage, I'm ok with it. I do have an issue with asking others publicly to join you. Edited February 25, 2015 by Vlad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckS Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Nice, Vlad. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonytheTiger Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Surprised this isn't locked yet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 All those groups praying gives me more time to walk the stages! Trust me, I'm not going to stand around shuffling my feet. Pray all you like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiG Lady Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 What TonyTheTiger said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youngeyes Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 This has turned into a subject that is becoming religious/political and therefore must be closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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