Have you read about the white poppys?

Question

Whats the deal with this? poppys are red, the pretty little flowers growing at the side of the road and the red paper poppys millions of us wear every year to remember the pepole who gave their lives in the wars.
Who in their right mind would want to change such an important symbol of rememberance into a christian statement? surly this will be an insult to the non christian casualtys of war?
I for one will not give up my red poppys, whos with me?

http://uk.messages.news.yahoo.com/World/threadview?bn=UK-NEWS-WOR-Religion&tid=63329&mid=63329&tof=4&m=tm&rt=2

Answer 1

In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep,
though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.


Note, the poppies were and are Red, not white and the stupid people should just shut up, or be ridiculed into silence.

Answer 2

A white poppy is a much better symbol than the corrupted political symbol that is the red poppy. If the red poppy had been kept as a symbol of remembrance for the fallen of the great wars there would be no issue with it - but it is used for many other things. Just look at these oppressive responses. Maybe those with a bee in their bonnet should focus their ire at the government if they don't think they provide enough for current service-men and their families.

Answer 3

The justification I read was that the red poppy 'celebrates peace and victory through war' and to pacifist Christians this might seem too violent, and by using white poppies they can remember the dead without condoning the war that killed them. Personally, I don't think that the red poppy celebrates anything - it is a reminder of the poppies that grew over Flanders field (lovely addition of the poem by the way) in soil nourished by the blood of the dead. When we see the poppy we are thankful for those who died so that we can live, and that message should ring some bells with all Christians, shouldn't it?

Answer 4

Its another stupid idiotic idea of one of the PC brigade. The red poppy is worn to remember the dead and these red poppies grew in the fields of flanders.
Whoever thought of a white poppy needs to stick his head up his ar-e and check what his brains are doing.

Answer 5

I'm with you on this. The red poppy wearing is to remember those who have given their lives up in war. It's to help their families and survivors. It has nothing to do with with religion of any kind. Nor is it against religion of any kind.

Answer 6

Yes i agree with you. I am a Christian but the red poppies have nothing to do with that. They are a non-religious symbol of remembrance in my opinion. Many many people recognise them - why change it?

Answer 7

I'm sticking with Red poppies.

Aren't opium poppies white ? And is there a connection ...?

Answer 8

Absolutely!

Answer 9

i'm christian and i don't see the point. they are red because that is what grew on the soilders grave. they are to remember loved ones who died in battle what is the point of changing the colour?

Answer 10

I'm with you. I'd rant a bit her e but I've already had my rant, this question has been asked a lot!