Matthew Le God

Southampton FC ‏@SouthamptonFC We’re pleased to reveal that St Mary’s is to become the first stadium in Europe with LED floodlights. #saintsfc http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/23062014-st-marys-led-floodlights-1661239.aspx

When Koeman said in his interview he is going to improve his English at the Nunnery, he meant this... http://www.reginacoeli.com/about-us/the-nuns-of-vught.html In any case...

Why is it ridiculous? We don't live in a 100% democratic country if you can by fluke of birth (and not ability) become head of state. The principle behind that is a key argument against. Yes, they do benefit the country financially more than they cost, but the principle behind the idea that taxpayers should fund the lifestyle of a family and they then hold positions of influence through birth right is unfair. By having a Christian God in the national anthem the state is taking sides. I'm saying there should be a separation of church and state. That isn't pretentious on my part, neatrality and a secular government system is fair to all. It is you that is trying to justify an unjust state of affairs that favours some of the population over others, not me. The state should offer freedom from all religions and remain neutral. You are confused if you think I'm attempting to as you claim " throw my thoughts on the subject down somebodies throat". A state does that when they have a national religion as Britain does with the Church of England having power and/or influence within politics.

Thats a ridiculous analogy, as I hope you already know.

I think some people don't notice what young players like Schneiderlin when he first arrived and Ward-Prowse do for the team and what their roles entail. Most of it is unspectacular as they aren't dribbling past people and catching the eye, but they both have superb technique and are comfortable on the ball and do what appears to be the simple things consistently well. Add to that Ward-Prowse's superb ability at crossing, corners and free kicks and he is an extremely impressive talent.

Amazing how a number of Saints fans can't see his quality. Yes, he isn't going to dribble past people like Walcott, Bale, Shaw or Lallana. But at what his role requires he is superb and will likely be an England regular in the future. He was voted the 3rd best player at the Toulan tournament this summer, where he was also England's captain... His goal vs Brazil in the Toulan tournament, which won goal of the tournament...

Why is that a good idea for Saints? Saints have Shaw under contract until 2018 and no financial need to sell him, they could keep him and his value will rise by the time summer 2015 comes and he'd still have 3 years left on his contract.

If you like... then yes. But I was justifying the yes.

We had a wage bill of £47m in 2012/13 (last available set of accounts), a number of players signed new deals in 2013 so some of our top players are going to be on £50,000+ p/w in 2013/14 in order to match up with that total wage bill.

Thanks, that supports my point. The country is not 100% Christian and so it shouldn't have an anthem about Christianity. There should be a separation of church and state, something that is not the case in England.

Would it not be better if the anthem was something every Englishman could sing with passion about his country at sporting events?

Given what you said in the first two sentences, how can you then sing a national anthem with God and monarchy at its core passionately if you don't agree with its sentiment?

We've lost 1 player and pre-season training for those not at the World Cup is 10 days away. There really isn't a need for panic stations and jumping to conclusions.

The same probably does apply to a lot of countries as most anthems go back in time to an era before parts of Western Europe for example were largely secular. Change doesn't go down well with some people and they hold onto traditions for better or worse. About time mankind moved on from bronze age myths when they couldn't explain things so used a God to fill the knowledge gap in their understanding of the world around them.

I respect those with a rational argument no matter what they believe, but I'm yet to see any rational argument from anyone religious as to why their version of God is correct and everyone else's is wrong. Is it really too much to ask for mankind in the 21st century to use rational arguements? Can you outline a rational argument why the Christian God exists and all the other 10,000+ deities recorded in human history are wrong?

You continue to jump to the conclusion that because the club aren't giving fans a minute by minute outline of their transfer dealings that the club is doing nothing to line-up new players. Just because they aren't telling us what they are doing doesn't mean by default nothing is happening. Les Reed has now stated publicly on a number of occasions they have a number of targets even before a new manager joined.

Lallana has said he is looking forward to meeting Koeman, Koeman and Reed have said they will do everything they can to keep the best players. Lallana, Shaw and Lovren might leave, but you've jumped to the conclusion they definitely will leave.

I don't. Do you not believe in evolution then? I think you need to look up the definition of evangelical.

I'm sure Saint Charlie didn't use to be this negative. In the last 6 months you have been jumping to a large number of very negative conclusions with very little evidence to support it.

I still don't fully know your position as all you've done so far is throw petty insults. Can you explain why you think a nation of 60 million people should have a national anthem about the Christian God and a monarch? The U.S. constitution separates church and state (despite what the Bible belt may think), it would be good if the British did the same.

Nope. Never owned a pair of dungarees and I think competitive sport in schools is a very good thing. What I object to is a sweeping generalisation that in order to be patriotic you have to support the monarchy and believe in the Christian God. Something which isn't the case for a very high % of the population of this country, so it isn't a representative anthem at all. Rather than follow along like sheep just because it is "tradition", how about have a national anthem that doesn't alienate people from being patroitic? The sign of someone without a strong point is resorting to petty personal insults. Something that applies to a number of people in this thread who have been supporting the monarchy and the Christian God inclusion in the national anthem. They don't have a rational argument, so start making irrational insults.

I'd say that applies more to someone who makes petty insults and doesn't explain why they disagree with a point.

Like this...?

We need a song about England that has no references to... - monarchy - religion - Empire building Any serious suggestions?