I AM YOU FLAG..............thou shalt not put any flag before me!!

I AM YOUR GOD ... thou shalt not put any God before me!!

The flag is beautiful, but a god like object???

I was born on June 14th, 1777.
I am more than just cloth shaped into design.

I am the refuge of the World's oppressed people.
I am the silent sentinel of Freedom.
I am the emblem of the greatest sovereign nation on earth.
I am the inspiration for which American Patriots gave their lives and fortunes. I have led your sons into battle from Valley Forge to the bloody swamps of Vietnam.
I walk in silence with each of your Honored Dead,
to their final resting place beneath the silent White Crosses, row upon row.
I have flown through Peace and War, Strife and Prosperity,
and amidst it all I have been respected. My Red Stripes....symbolize the blood spilled in defense of this glorious nation.
My White Stripes....signify the burning tears shed by Americans who lost their sons.
My Blue Field....is indicative of God's heaven under which I fly.
My Stars....clustered together, unify 50 states as one, for God and Country.
"Old Glory" is my nickname, and proudly I wave on high. Honor me, respect me, defend me with your lives and fortunes.
Never let my enemies tear down from my lofty position, lest I never return.
Keep alight the fires of patriotism, strive earnestly for the spirit of democracy.
Worship Eternal God and keep His Commandments,
and I shall remain the bulwark of peace and freedom for all mankind. I am your Flag.


I am the symbol of the living America,
the badge of its greatness,
the emblem of its destiny.

I am faith.
It is I who keep men mindful of their priceless heritage,
life, liberty, and the right to pursue happiness.

I am hope.
I represent the land of promise wherein, already,
man's loftiest dreams have approached closer to realization
than ever before on this earth.

I am life.
Each strand and fiber of my being is a memorial,
dedicated to the sacrifices of all those strong men
and steadfast women
who have lived and died in the nation's service,
that it might live forever.

I am tolerance.
So long as I shall wave,
all people under my protection may freely worship, think, write
and speak, undaunted by the shadow of fear.


I am justice,
Tempered with mercy.
For I am friend to the oppressed and downtrodden of every land.
I am a sign of the future.
I wave over schools throughout the nation
and in them the nation's future is molded.


I am the Flag of the United States...the last...
the best hope for peace on earth.


Sounds like a god like flag, I admire anyone who is a proud american, and worships their flag and for all it stands for

How many see it like a God like object??.. It stands for all that is good..........just like God............only differnce is, you can see it, touch it, have it, you BELIEVE IN IT!!!

Info ---> http://psacake.com/iayflag.asp

I don't think it's a god like anything. Nations are totally different from religion. Those values listed as a faith of nation, are personal to the author... Which this nation allows freedom of religion. Values of any nation greatly differ within the population... The values of neo-cons are pretty different then the values of bleeding heart liberals, for example.

I only asked if people saw it as a God like object................as the flag is in fact greatly worshiped...like god is

Nope, its just a piece of cloth used to define invisible lines acreoss the earth, i believe they are called borders.
also can be used to rally humans sheep like into conflict that serves a minortys purpose.

I think Hell must have frozen over...I agree with Kratos for once!

The U.S. flag is nothing more than an identifying banner to me, same as any other country's. To some, it represents the ideals on which America was founded. To others, it represents the unity of the nation.

*shrugs*

Just a cloth, but I know those who would resort to verbal violence if they heard you say otherwise . I think we are, or at least some of us, grown up being taught to look at the american flag as a godly icon. The original post sounds very much like something you would hear the teacher say as you draw an american flag for art period. After all, didn't we cover our hearts and pray to it every morning before class starts .

I have a pal who bows his head like he's praying when he sees the flag on TV. I have no idea why (could just be that he drops something on his tie whenever he sees it )... I'll ask him next time I speak to him.

To proud americans..its not just a cloth or a banner...

Just going by the responses BM I'd say it's almost exactly like this god most everyone has been talking about.

To some it is a fabric-ation (sorry couldn't resist the pun). To others it awakens emotion and a sense of purpose.

Some selfish people are willing to twist the principles it stands for to do nasty things to fellow humans.

Yep pretty much the same.

Uhhuh exactly...just like in religion..no different eh?? lol............all linked to worship

When the government make it Law that we recognize the flag in a certain way...that is when my flag gets burned on the pole!

Its not law to reconize it in that way..............its just the picture that is painted by those that do in fact worship their flag!!

BM, joc is speaking of the "Flag Protection Amendment" that was gaining a little momentum in the waning days of the Republican Congress. If I remember right, the proposal was to set Constitutional guidelines for the treatment of the flag, basicly limiting the 1st Amendment.

Flag smag! Who cares! Burn or dont burn them. Patriotism is for losers anyway.

Yeah *rolls eyes* I mean the worship or idolization of communism or capitalism is so radically different from worshiping or idolizing christianity or islam.




Yeah *rolls eyes* so radically different from each other.

Is it worship, or are the people who bow their heads or cover their hearts doing so in rememberance ? I was taught to honor the flag as a means of honoring the men and women who died fighting for this country's freedom. Just a thought.

My grandfather fought in world war two for our freedoms, including the freedom to burn the flag whenever I wish and not hold much value to it if my mind in a free democracy chooses not to. Yes nationalism can become a form of idolization. Just like with Hitler and his Nazi regime. Besdies who ever thought of going to war to end war was quite naive. It is like saying you can put a fire out by starting a fire near it.

Devol, the best way to honour those who died is to insure that they did not die in vain. This includes supporting freedom even though folks might use this freedom to do or say things you do not agree with.

Actually, yeah it is. Capitalism nor communism is a religion. You can compare them all you dearly want but it still won't change that fact.

The flag symbol of the nation not any one religion. There are many religions in the states and they all have their own symbols the stars and stripes are not one of them. Is the Irish Flag worshiped? Do not the Irish love their nation as we do? Religion and patriotism are two different things despite what the religious right thinks a person can be a patriot and not have a religion.

but nationalism is pretty close.

reminds me of how the antagonist of "Serenity" was categorized by Inara. "He's a believer."

I could hardly believe it when I heard Bush had said that atheists shouldn't be considered citizens or patriots.

Bad example since after Mal whooped his black ops butt and exposed the truth about the orgins of the reapers, he changed his mind - Thus in doing so, he ordered down his soldiers from killing the surviving crew. *Firefly nut*

I do get your point but it's just not the same. Having a belief in something of a higher power compared to having a belief as what is right for you/your country is a bit different.

Well Bush is an idiot, what can you say. When you think about it if you are a leader of your country and put your religion before the needs of your nation are you being a patriot? Hmmm... That is something to think about.

I agree with this. Its a symbol not worshiped in and of itself. I don't think its right to desecrate a flag because it holds symbolic meaning to many people.


But this reminds me of Eddie Izzard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTduy7Qkvk8

*snicker*
"I'm a fan of all seven of them, but right now I'd have to go with wrath."

Extreme forms of nationalism replace the supernatural higher power of theism with a material one, the state. The state can produce zealots and inflexible dogmatic views. The flag becomes the symbol of that much as the cross, the pentacle, the Dharma wheel acts as symbols for the underlying beliefs of their repsective religions.

on a lighter note though, you are kind of Mal-esque. I can almost see one of your rants ending with "I intend to misbehave."

see you around browncoat.

Considering Bush has gone against his own "Christian" beliefs, I'd say he was a blasphemer as well as an idiot. As I said in another thread, taking the Lord's name in vain and all, I'd say that Bush has bought himself a ticket to Hell. His dogma, not mine.

A bit off topic, but I'll indulge you.

Those freedoms may give us the right, but do they make what we do those rights right? I have never, will never agrue against someone's right to express their beliefs, but I will question the disrespect of another's beliefs by said expression.

Back on topic: The show of respect one may have for this nation is not idolization of the flag. One may be a patriot and follow a belief that is entirely different from those held by the majority of Americans. "I pledge allegiance to the flag..." is not "I pledge faith..." I have no faith in the American government, but then again, the flag does not represent the government, it represents the nation.

Im Irish and all the irish people i know dont take the flag that seriously, and we dont march into war with it. and if someone burns it we would take the piss outta them for wasting thier time and just buy another flag.
and dont bring up Northern Ireland thats a religous thing and the flag waving side of that is a byproduct.

Flags are just coloured cloth to me, and when I see people burning flags I don't bounce up screaming at the TV in anger I just think hmmm that person just wasted money buying a flag and now is burning it.

hhhhhhmmm......interesting....B






don't panic yet, I'll most likely forget....

Are we so used to anthropomorphizing god that we are now comparing her to national flags?

*rolls eyes* This is for all the people who think that you cant worship or idolize a nation or government like a religion.

One strength of the Communist system ... is that it has some of the characteristics of a religion and inspires the emotions of a religion. (Albert Einstein, Out Of My Later Years, 1950)


Also later I'll write in what Aldous Huxley says about it (yous are f&^%$# now hahaha). He too agrees that people in this day an age idolize technological progress, governments and that moralists can idealise their morals as an end in itself.

I don't equate god with the flag. nor would god align itself with any one flag. to think so is ludicrous.

as an idol ? I think a minority are so infused that it may be so.

money however is idolized even more. it's the most important thing to almost all. don't believe them when they say it isn't. try taking it away from them and see. or ask them to give all of it away and see.

there isn't a church or religion on this planet that would give it all away.

talk is cheap.

I think your reading way too much into that poem BM, and also maybe completely misunderstanding what our flag represents to us. We do not worship the flag. The flag in and of itself means nothing. It symbolizes our country, it symbolizes the things our country stands for and many of us respect it for what it symbolizes it and value it as a beautiful symbol of our great nation, but we don't worship it.

Oh, people can idolize and worship anything, but I think the point is that most Americans don't revere the flag as they would the crucifix or the little fish symbol thingy...I can't think of the proper name at the moment, sorry.



Actually, the most important thing, even over money, is family. Trust me! Money's nice, don't get me wrong. I'm a big fan of it! But if it comes down to it, I'll take family. I've been there. A loving family is worth more than its' weight in gold. Platinum, on the other hand....no, I'll take my loving family.

So you are saying to the american people ----------> the flag itself means nothing???............so all of those who are so proud and love their flag for what it stands for..what it symbolizes, what it means to proud americans...............................are you trying to say, to your fellow americans...............it means nothing??

WOW...im not even american....but I have read and heard those that say like wise


The only thing that is getting to you is...where it is compared to like worshiping a god like object............not the flag, just how it can be compared like!!

http://www.boyscouttrail.com/content/minute/minute-90.asp

http://www.llerrah.com/iamyourflag.htm

http://cybersarges.tripod.com/USFlag.html

3 sites above all have the SAME peoem / song..(cuz some play music to it)


If the flag means nothing like you say IAMS.......................when you (assuming you do)... pledge allegiance to the Flag

Goes a lil like this............


I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all.

And this means NOTHING to you??

The flag from what I know, symbolizes a lot of things, your country has fought for and gotten through, heck I may be Irish, be we irish where taught a lil about your country

I never said anyone prays to it, like they do God...but it does look like it is worshiped................................why is that such a bad thing??

You didn't read what I said, I said, in and of itself it means nothing, but it symbolizes our nation. We care about our flag because it is a symbol of what makes our nation great. I treat the flag with respect because I have great respect for what it symbolizes, but I don't worship it.

Just like you don't worship the fish in your sig or the S in your avatar, it's just a reminder.

You're right, I also don't worship either of those symbols.

I appreciate what the character of Superman stands for and I think the symbol is cool.

As far as the ichthus symbol goes, I worship the One represented by the symbol, but I do not worship the symbol itself.

Much like I don't worship that big fat guy at the Chinese restaraunt. Though I must admit that goofy grin never fails to put a smile on my face.

Cool IAMS, because I wasn't quite sure what you meant...thats why I asked more questions


You don't worship it, I guess a lot do and a lot dont

Don't forget, I only ever said what kind of picture it paints, not saying everyone worships it!!

Your new avatar is scarey biscuts

"One nation under God" was not added until the 50's. There has been many of us trying to take it out ever since. I know my Mother would never say the "under God" part. I don't say it I just kind of lala through that part. I don't think the JW's say the pledge as it puts country before God. We respect the flag as a symbol of our nation, not as a God.

History of the US flag

It is... it makes me want to hide under the bed.

but it's not scary, it's just little ol' me.

whats so great about this nation son.....

But it's blurredy and dark... spooky. What ya doin' in that there picture then?

it's just lately it hasn't had alot to symbolize as honorable.

A new name for the flag.....................AMERICAN IDOL one that not even Simon Cowell can put down LMAO!!