A major problem with the flag burning amendment from a catholic

[craychek]

First of all, I am a liberal catholic democrat. I was a republican but I saw the light and came to join DU.

Anyways, yes the flag is an important symbol of our country and when people trash the flag, they are, in essence, protesting our country or something the USA is doing. It is their right to do that though, because, in reality, a flag is just a piece of cloth. It may be a symbol of something that exists, but it is still just a piece of cloth.

However, when I look around I see that many supporters of this amendment are die hard catholics or christians and that really worries me.

They are pushing hard to get this amendment passed, but I don't see them trying to do the same thing for christian objects, and holy objects. I can tell you right now that if someone took the bread at mass and burned it, desecrated it, and what not, they would not be prosecuted. People may not like them but no one would push for a law banning the desecration of the blessed sacrament(the most important thing in catholicism).

Hell, they even care less about the bible. That is desecrated all the time and people don't get in trouble. I know more than a few catholics really don't care when it comes right down to it. This is because they understand that though it is a Bible, it is just a book.

And I'm not even going to get into what some of them think of the koran.

Anyways my point is that by pushing for an amendment that bans flag burning(and desecration if my memory serves me), they are elevating the flag above the Bible, the word of God. Really they are elevating the flag above God weather they realize it or not. If they were really true to the faith they would be pushing for a ban on bible or holy sacrament desecration rather than push for the flag burning thing.

It almost feels like they are worshiping it(especially when the pledge is said). Many christians put more heart into the Pledge of Allegiance than they do to their prayer.

Ugh, this is one of the reasons why I hate my religion.

Anyways, I'll stop rambling now. And please, no flaming =P Just give me your honest opinion on what you think of all this and weather or not you think I'm just completely nuts =P

[Inland]

1. "desecrate" itself is troubling

And there isn't much difference between making nationalism the state religion and the chrisitianity that puts flags and soldiers at the pulpit, prays for victory and simply states that my god is going to win over your false god.

[craychek]

3. very true

that kind of thing has acually been the norm for most of civilization, mainly because of ignorance and the fact that it's easier to control a population through religion than it is by actually making the world a better place.

[Book Lover]

2. As a former Catholic, I understand exactly what you are saying

And it brings an few questions to the table: is it within our government's authority to define any object sacred? Does the idea of sanctity belong solely to the religious realm?

Sorry, no answers, only questions on this busy Friday afternoon...

[Inland]

4. Not consistent with free speech

Free speech pretty much prevents a government from declaring anything too precious to disagree with, free religion prohibits declaring my symbol too precious to, what, desymbolize.

That's why they have to change the constitution.

[craychek]

5. I understand where you are coming from

There are only a few reasons that keep me from leaving catholicism, I can name them on one hand.

[Debi]

6. We ride in the same boat craychek

It is more the tradition and the ability to share the faith with my family than adhering to the laws of the Church that keep me around.


As for the flag burning amendment....I wonder if those people tear the tags off of mattresses? :shrug:

[Kerrytravelers]

7. Christopher Hodges said, when you hold the flag higher than the cross,

you are committing idoltry.

These so-called "christians" are committing the ultimate sin (what they often consider the ultimate sin)- idoltry.

A lapsed Catholic here. I can't attend Mass right now because I can't reconcile sharing a pew with someone who hears the same message I am and interperts it to mean hate, fear and biggotry rather than peace, love,human harmony and compassion. I certainly can't reconcile it when the deliverer of that message, the Preist, is a * supporter, and thereby an accomplice by mere vote in crimes against humanity.

[Kerrytravelers]

8. P.S. Welcome to DU!

Nice to have you here!



kt

[craychek]

9. yah it really bothers me

it really bothers me when you hear priests and christians saying they are going to vote for bush because he is the pro-life cannidate and he's against gay marriage.

Seriously though, bush is not pro-life, he's pro-birth. A man can not be pro-life when he supports the death penalty and ravages another country for oil and profit.

[Kerrytravelers]

10. I think you are going to fit in quite nicely here at DU!

Again, welcome!

[bobbieinok]

11. hadn't thought of this comparison of flag to Bible etc before....thanks