To not really like or approve of St George's Day?

[BlueDressingGown]

I don't like it and I don't really want my children to participate in our village parade.

I don't really give a monkeys about 'patron saints' and am not of the faith that initially made him a saint. I don't believe in saints. I don't think people should be sainted. He was nothing to do with England and never came to England. (I'm also not English, by the way, but now living in England, but that's not why I don't like him!)

I also feel that this day gets seized on by English nationalists and used to stir up racist feelings regarding people who 'aren't really English'.

Now you are just being goady OP. And what on earth do you mean by 'one small religion'

Are you a UKIP activist op?

You can hardly call Christianity a small religion.

I'm not trying to goad. If you want to see it that way, I really am not fussed. I try not to get involved in internet fighting and nastiness. I'm really interested in people's opinions on this, even if they're wildly different to my own.

I guess by 'one small religion' I didn't mean that the religion was small (badly worded, sorry) but that the number of people who follow this religion in England is outnumbered by the number of people who follow other religions or no religion at all. So why does this particular religious tradition dictate how 'Englishness' is celebrated?

Saint George is also the patron Saint of Scouting, so expect lots of young people with flags and woggles renewing their Scout promise on Thursday.

Your problem is that St George isn't English.
Your problem is that St George's day doesn't involve other cultures. (Apart from the patron saint of course).
Your problem is that St George's Day is religious.

I really don't see what your point is.

I'm not particularly patriotic btw but I believe most countries have a 'day' and their day will be about celebrating their country. Why should England's day not be about England? The religious aspect will be the same in other countries I'm sure.

Not sure where you get the UKIP thing from! I'd say it's the opposite - I'd like everyone of all cultures and religions to feel involved in a celebration of their Englishness (even people like me who apparently shouldn't have an opinion as I am not from round here... ) I imagine that UKIP fly the flag pretty high for St George's Day as they like the feelings it stirs up in certain sectors of society!

I think the majority of people in England identify as Christian, even if they don't practice their faith.

Do some research OP and get some historical context. Plenty of places have saints that aren't locals - they were chosen for what they represented.

Yes well exactly. Your post has made me consider voting UKIP more than any other thing I have read or seen

Actually I think a lot of English people view SGD as a national, non-religious celebration.

Isn't the Saint George story about standing for your beliefs, valiant through adversity and all that?

Bowlersarm Nothing that anyone could say in any context on any forum about anything would make me consider ever voting UKIP.

I'm going to step out now though as I think I've explained how I feel, answered some really reasonable questions and had some interesting responses. Thank you. Anything else is just making it personally about me and I'm not interested in the portion of the entertainment where the person asking a question gets 'rounded on'. :)

Thank you to all who answered my original question with interesting and varied viewpoints and arguments.

I don't think you're BU to not like St. George's Day although I'm still not sure exactly why you don't like it. Lots of people don't like Christmas or New Year's Eve or whatever. However, you are BU to not approve of it. Surely it's up to English people to celebrate it (or not) as they see fit?

St. Patrick's Day is a big day in Ireland. It's a public holiday and most towns and villages have a parade. Some people (mostly older) go to mass and celebrate the religious aspect. Some people celebrate the national day aspect and sport sprigs of shamrock and leprechaun hats (I'm not too sure what leprechauns have to do with St. Patrick). Unfortunately, lots of people see it as a day for drinking copious amounts of alcohol . We've -inflicted- exported it to lots of other countries where there are Irish communities so now many people celebrate it who aren't Irish at all but join in because it's a bit of fun.

I really don't understand your point at all OP.

The op wants to take something away from the English. She's not wanting to add another celebration she would like. Just wants to take something away. The more I think about it, the more it is pissing me off.

So I will be out dancing with my Morris team, sinking a pint or two of English Ale and having a laugh. And if you don't want to join in, then you have no need to, but you can stick your disapproval up your arse for all the effect it would have on us.

^^^ this has made me lol...well said, solid

Op, YABU. St George's Day has been around a lot longer than you have....ignore it if you must, but it's not going anywhere pity some goady posters who want to change stuff that's been around years dont

I take it then OP you don't approve of The Welsh celebrating St.David
The Scottish celebratin St. Andrew
The Irish celebrating St Patrick.
Just as well you don't live in Catholic countries as they have many more st. Celebrations. Would it help if we changed it to St. Cuthbert day, he didnt chase dragons but otters used to play at his feet whilst in meditated in the chilly waters of Lindisfarne.

Am I alone in never having noticed St George's Day being celebrated? I had to learn the date of it in Brownies a hundred years ago but that was about it. Seriously where are all these parades?

My patriotism is mostly felt in the countryside far from people and has nothing to do with pride in being British. But a party and a bit of Morris dancing wouldn't go amiss, especially if dragons and beer were involved.