How many patriotic people think that some have crossed the line and into idolatry with worship of the flag?

Question

Don't get me wrong, I am a patriot who respects the flag of our country. But, this is an excerpt from the poem about the flag that makes me think we have gone too far and into idolatry.

"I stand for peace, honor, truth, and justice . . . I stand for freedom . . . I am confident . . . I am ARROGANT . . . I am PROUD.

When I am flown with my fellow banners . . . My head is a little higher . . . My colors a little truer. I BOW TO NO ONE.

I am recognized all over the world. I am WORSHIPPED . . . I am saluted . . . I am respected . . . I am revered . . . I am loved . . . And I am feared." (Emphasis added) -"My Name is Old Glory" poem by Howard Schnauber

Here is a link to the whole poem:
http://www.usa-patriotism.com/poems/old_glory1.htm

Who else besides me thinks that this poem goes too far?

My belief is there is only one God, that of the Holy Trinity, one eternal God in three divine persons.

By the way, I also found out that some think that the flag of our country is a living thing! I think this goes way too far. How about you?

Answer 1

That's a very good question. The flag is a representation of a country or nation. It shouldn't be worshipped. When people put THAT much importance on a piece of cloth, the whole point OF HAVING that flag is lost. Flags are symbols, NOT meant to be idols.

Answer 2

I come from a Military family and have several immediate relatives in various branches of the Armed Forces. I have a deep respect for the flag as a symbol of our country and what we have achieved and gone through in order to become the nation we are today. I am also a Christian with a strong and deeply rooted faith in God and Christ. I do not think that most Americans WORSHIP- at least not the way you are thinking- the flag. Look up the word worship in the dictionary, with the various meanings you you then have to look at the context the word is used in this poem. This poem is a very old poem and does not go to far in saying "I am worshipped..." it is saluted, loved and feared and yes many in the military service even revere it. It is a symbol of the nation that they may have to give their lives for. As for the arrogant and proud, a lot of Americans are both. It's sorta hard not to be with a history such as ours. As far as the part that states "I bow to no one," many Americans think or feel this way when you speak of anyone on earth.

Answer 3

There is nothing wrong with the flag, there is something wrong when our young people do not understand what the flag represents, it is sad that our kids do not know of the horrors that many of the people of this country have gone through to preserve their freedom, people who saw our flag with canon balls shot through it, have seen it burned by uncaring ungrateful people...that is why this question keeps being asked. When you find yourself in a foreign country with nothing familiar around you and your friends beside you dead and you look over and see the flag then maybe when you get a little older you will take off your hat and put your hand over your heart and thank God that for this day we are free, but tomorrow we might not be..then when they are all destroyed you might long to see one, same goes for the Bible, when they are all taken away from us we will wish we read it and hid it's words in our hearts because the day could come, if we don't keep fighting, when we will have neither one. So appreciate your ancestors who died so you are free to ask questions like this...and this answer is not meant to get on to you for asking the question but just to get you to think a little more.. Listen sometime to the song Johnny Cash wrote about the grand old flag, it might show you another side. Best Wishes!!

Answer 4

I am a patriot also, but I feel the poem goes WAY too far. Pride comes before a fall. When you value an object over human life or the Spirit of God, you are making a BIG mistake. Certainly I'm not the only one who realizes that the current administration is trying to fight a spiritual war with physical weapons and using scare tactics to make people freely give up their rights. From my perspective, this is WRONG. Who has killed more people? Saddam Hussien or George Bush?

Answer 5

In the USA, the right to express your opinion is protected under the Bill of Rights. This country is made up of many different people, espousing many different beliefs and this poem is just an example of all that. I don't know anything about Howard Schnauber's personal beliefs, but I'd be willing to bet he doesn't hold to yours. There will always be individuals who believe this poem's message because that is how they view the world around them. However, I do not. I take exception mostly to the arrogance and fear comments.

Answer 6

I do not think that poem is saying that they are above god. I am a Marine, even some of our "slogans" put God before the country and the Corps.

I don't worship the flag, but I would give my life for it.

Semper Fi

Answer 7

No piece of cloth should be worshiped. "And thou shalt have no other gods before me" But if you are a true American you do respect the flag...The blue is for the skies, the white for (what else) the whites of their eyes BUT the red is for all of the men and women lost. It is THEIR blood that colors our flag and never should they be worshiped, yet then again NEVER shall they be forgotten! The poem goes too far, but what it means doesn't.

Answer 8

I think you're making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Remember,other nations are led by Kings or Religious leaders,or embrace "The Rodina","Der Vaterland",or some other concept of their homeland.Some nations believe everyone else is a barbarian,a non-human,incapable of being an equal.

We believe "all men are created equal".That doesn't say,all americans,and through legal interpretation,it is held to mean,"all people".We have one symbol for which our troops have fought and died,consistently through our two centuries,the flag.

So yeah,some people get a little rowdy about it,but that's who we are.

Answer 9

This bold poem represents the attitudes and faces I recall from 9/11.
It has faded somewhat as it always does. But do not mistake faithful loyalty to this Country with any religion. Fight for God, Country, and yourself, in heart, mind, body, and soul. Always remember that no matter what you believe in, this Country lets you do it when others may not.
Besides, it’s a metaphor.

Answer 10

A flag is just a damn flag I could care less. I see pledging to a flag stupid. I know I love my country so that's all that counts. it's a piece of clothe with a design on it. So what?!