Re: Taking offence
No, I just fail to make a distinction between those who argue for religion and those who argue for a nation. Both are social constructs with little real value or meaning. Chanting Eng-Ger-Land is no more/less offensive than "Allahu Akbar" - its a matter of context.
The wearing of Crusader colours is no more offensive, in and of itself, than the wearing of a crucifix; people choose to be offended by all sorts of things, and sometimes people choose to cause offence through specific behaviour.
There is, for me, a clear parallel between religion and patriotism being used as vehicles for both rebutting and inflicting offence.
So, no, its not wrong to dress a crusader at an England match *unless* you are doing it *specifically* to cause offence, which is no different to touting religious iconography in the same way.
"My country, right or wrong" is just as extreme (and stupid) a statement as "Whatever my god wills".
Biting the hand that feeds IT
