US style british citizenship a positive step ?

[kronas]

the first citizenship ceremony in the uk is due to take place later this month.

90,000 applications are successful on a yearly basis, anyone wishing to go ahead with the citizenship must pay £68 each, and must pledge allegiance to the queen, and sing the national anthem.

Immigration Minister Beverley Hughes said: "Becoming a citizen of the UK is something to be proud of."

damn right!!!!

Ms Hughes said: "We want to help people becoming citizens to play a full part in our society and encourage those who are settled here to apply for citizenship.

"By looking at existing provision around the country we can pilot the content of the classes to find the best way of benefiting individuals and the wider society."

source: bbc news

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3453105.stm

i agree with this idea

[Jerrek]

"At present the system, whereby people become British citizens, is conducted by post."


Gee. That isn't very good, eh? I've been naturalized several times over, and they all involved taking oaths, singing anthems, and passing knowledge and language tests.

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Jerrek

"At present the system, whereby people become British citizens, is conducted by post."


Gee. That isn't very good, eh? I've been naturalized several times over, and they all involved taking oaths, singing anthems, and passing knowledge and language tests.

Is that where you take all your clothes off and run naked and free?
Bit cold for that this time of year isn't it?

Exams and oaths and stuff only give you immigrants who know more about the country than the natives do.
Most american's born in the states would fail.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

<snip>
Most american's born in the states would fail.

They are taught it all at school and have to pledge allegiance every morning an assembly. Most High School / College students should be able to pass. But adults, like you and I do you think you could pass all you GCSE / O / A / Degree exams today without revision?

[Nugget]

Originally Posted by kronas

90,000 applications are successful on a yearly basis, anyone wishing to go ahead with the citizenship must pay £68 each, and must pledge allegiance to the queen, and sing the national anthem.

I've lived here all of my life, and I don't think that I could sing the National Anthem

[paulyoung666]

Originally Posted by Nugget

I've lived here all of my life, and I don't think that I could sing the National Anthem

i fear the same is true here also

[SMHarman]

I think I could manage the first verse, but I learned that at cubs/scouts not school. I'm sure that says something about our education system and the lack of nationalism.

[Xaccers]

Well, Jerrek should know it as it's his national anthem too

God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and Glorious,
Long to reign over us;
God save the Queen!


O Lord our God arise,
Scatter her enemies
And make them fall;
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
Oh, save us all!


Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour;
Long may she reign;
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the Queen!


Not in this land alone,
But be God's mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world o'er!

From every latent foe,
From the assassin's blow,
God save the Queen!
O'er her thine arm extend,
For Britain's sake defend,
Our mother, prince, and friend,
God save the Queen!

In love's endearments fond,
In wedlock's holy bond,
Blest be our Queen.
In her blest progeny,
We future Monarchs see,
Of England bold and free,
God save the Queen!

Lord let wars' tempest cease;
Fold the whole world in peace
Under thy wings.
Make all the nations one;
All hearts beneath the sun;
Till Thou shalt reign alone;
Great King of Kings.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Well, Jerrek should know it as it's his national anthem too

Lord let wars' tempest cease;
Fold the whole world in peace
Under thy wings.
Make all the nations one;
All hearts beneath the sun;
Till Thou shalt reign alone;
Great King of Kings.

I assume this verse is so little used that the King has not been changed to Queen!

Why does the corrected version of that last line make me think of "Will and Grace", line from Will to Jack i feel.

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

I assume this verse is so little used that the King has not been changed to Queen!

Why does the corrected version of that last line make me think of "Will and Grace", line from Will to Jack i feel.

It's actually refering to Jesus in that verse

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

It's actually refering to Jesus in that verse

I'll get me coat

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

It's actually refering to Jesus in that verse

And as if by magic, Russ appears

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Russ D

And as if by magic, Russ appears

I knew it! You're the shop keeper!

[Jerrek]

Once again, I'm puzzled. You mean to say you guys never sing your national anthem? What about in school?

In the United States, we sang the national anthem every day in class. Fridays, when we had assembly, we would all stand while the Bible was being read, and then two flags are carried in by seniors. One on the left, and one on the right of the assembly hall. One was the Flag of the United States and one was the flag of the State I was in (Texas). Once they reach the front, they face the audiance, and hold the flag pole at a 45 degree angle. We would then stand on attention, with your hand on your heart, and pledge allegiance, and then sing the anthem, all of it.

During the week, we just pledged allegiance and sang the anthem in class. There was no flags being carried in, although each classroom has a flag or two.


In Canada, there is no pledge, but we still sang O Canada every morning.


And yes, I know God Save the Queen. Beautiful song.

[spacedhopper]

Originally Posted by Russ D

And as if by magic, Russ appears

I am gonna put a random 'jesus' in a post just to see if Russ's 'Jesus bot' picks it up!!