I think I’ve always seen saluting the flag as a commitment to each other, rather than a commitment to a god.

When I was in the military we stood and we saluted the flag as the anthem played. I remember that I was sworn to protect the country for which the flag stood. Nobody said anything about protecting the flag, but it had to be treated honorably. These days I may or may not stand for the anthem. If you think the government is not giving you a fair shake then take a knee if you will. It's your choice. I know that I'm a Patriot and that John McCain is a Patriot. Bone Spurs is not a Patriot. He's just a spoiled little rich boy that tweets and stirs up trouble.

I personally stand for the anthem and will recite the pledge. Although, I'm not very keen on the wording of the pledge. I do it out of respect for tradition more than anything else. However, I stand firmly behind anyone who chooses not to.

I attend no events anymore where the anthem is played. If I did, I would probably stand.

Oh its not the same by any means. The flag represents something tangible. And yes, I stand as every citizen should. Now, since you have made that comparison, then in general terms for everyone, you don't like religion/God the you have the choice to quit and move on to something else. By the same token, you don't like the flag or country then go somewhere else.You know how the saying goes... You can move, you are not a tree. Last counterargument, I am not telling you what to do, just thinking out loud triggered by your question.

In England in the cinemas it was traditional at a time to play 'The Queen ' and dirty looks were given if you didn't stand up; but the buses were ready to take us home and there was a stampede for all exits so you could get home on the late bus.

I do, I was raised that way, we lost a generation of our family in WW1 so it is pretty much entrenched.

I don't stand for the anthem. If I happen to be already standing, I don't say anything. I also don't participate in 30 seconds of silence.

Respect. Everything starts with Respect.

I'm from the UK so don't know if my take is any different. I don't care about the national anthem one way or the other really. If I'm at an event and the crowd stands then so do I. If I hear it when I'm alone I don't. I'm British, not sure what that means in terms of the sort of person I am, nothing I should think, there are parts of our colonial past that are appalling and their are current policies in the UK that are dreadful, especially to those less able, but I also have a pride in British accomplishments and that wouldn't change whether I stand for God Save The Queen or not.

I make the choice depending on the space. I refuse to attend many events that have not at least tried to face the issues in front of the whole world much less stand for an anthem that now represents the grotesque nature of my country (USA) currently.

But I will stand for some things:
School events
To help someone else (guy at hockey games who season tickets are next to me and he needs help to stand for the whole anthem).
At funerals (the person requested it be played so I respect them and stand)