Just a followup to my other question. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=AtcMFXzthBjkZGEuEgMuG3ojzKIX?qid=20060723163145AAPZtQ1
2006-07-23 12:52:50 · 11 answers · asked by tammers 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Whoever thinks that a flag is a graven image should look up the word "graven" in the dictionary. Likewise, whoever thinks that Jesus permits us to discard all OT commandments could probably benefit from actually reading the Bible.
A salute is not equivalent to worship. It is simply a gesture of respect. Nor is the reverence of a symbol idolatry. It is only the acknowledgment of what the symbol represents. Just as the cross is the symbol of Christianity, a flag is the symbol of a nation or other government. The submission to the government is not sinful. On the contrary, Jesus and Paul command us to submit to our governmental leaders and authorities, with the obvious exception being laws which violate God's commands (e.g. do not submit to a law which demands recanting the faith).
2006-07-23 13:43:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It *could* be for people who have become more attached to colors and cloth than to the values that flag represents: guarantee of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; protection of peaceable protest; right of redress of grievances; freedom from an established Church; et al. ... as long as these remain more than mere words on paper, that flag remains a proud symbol ... but don't forget that it is a sysmbol, not "the thing itself". The struggle for gaining freedom and keeping it has technically been waged under many flags (e.g.. Grand Union; Vermont "Green Mountain Boys", the famed "Don't Tread on Me") and many variants of the present design ... ones of future centuries may yet differ. What's sacred are the noble principles behind the physical cloth of "Old Glory"
2006-07-23 20:08:21 · answer #2 · answered by Julia C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on your religion's definition of idolatry. As long as you haven't started a cult that claims that saluting the flag will help you win the lottery, I think your idolatory free.
2006-07-23 19:57:48 · answer #3 · answered by Olwen C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES, it is worship of a graven image rather than respect for the concepts behind the government, in our case, the Constitution.
Proof: I haven't heard any flag amendment supporters demand that our government cease state-sponsored-torture, even though it is illegal, even though forced conscription is one of the strongest reasons for the Declaration of Independence.
The flag belongs on government buildings and US warships. Other use is idolatrous. Great question.
2006-07-23 20:04:20 · answer #4 · answered by urbancoyote 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No because you are showing respect for the people who gave you the right to have that flag and God tells us to repect our elders/forefathers/ country/ authority figures
Have a good day!
2006-07-23 19:57:37 · answer #5 · answered by Amanda C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is respect. Saluting came from early times when Knights would raise their hand to lift the covers of their helmets to show their faces and to show their hands were empty (no weapons)
2006-07-23 19:58:42 · answer #6 · answered by Dr. Linder 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus said "I got your free pass" and told everyone they could ignore any rules in the Old Testament.
2006-07-23 20:04:59 · answer #7 · answered by Nerdly Stud 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not if you're not replacing God with a country's flag. God Bless you.
2006-07-23 19:55:32 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you begin praying to it and expect your prayers to be answered by it.
2006-07-23 19:57:24 · answer #9 · answered by Nitris 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, showing respect is not worship.
2006-07-23 19:56:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋