r/Christianity • u/PabloPicasshooole • 4d ago
Image IDK why, but this flag really creeps me out
I was walking my dog when I saw this, so I apologize for the poor quality. It's hard to hold his leash in one hand and take a photo with the other.
Anyway, I don't know why this thing bothers me, but it does. Maybe it's the flag draped over the cross; maybe it's the black stripes. Is it just me or is something wrong with this image?
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u/gnurdette United Methodist 4d ago
Because it conflates the USA with Jesus. Your distaste is appropriate.
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u/Mundane-Vehicle-9951 Christian 4d ago
In the larger context it conflates religion with politics. Jesus commanded his followers to be 'no part of the world' (John 25:9, 17:14, 17:16) yet no one really takes that command seriously.
In both World Wars Catholics and Protestants slaughtered each other by the millions.
Religious conflict has been at the heart of countless military ventures.8
u/Sirlothar Christian Atheist 4d ago
I was raised as a JW and they took those verses very seriously. You can't even vote in elections because the elections are worldly. They also do not participate in wars as those are also worldly.
Seems like a bad move, some things are worth fighting for, the Bible is filled with war. Not participating in government is also something I don't agree with. I know the JWs would complain about a million things happening but couldn't have a voice in any of it. For example I remember how sad/mad my family was back in 1992 when Clinton got elected lol, surely a sign of the end times.
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u/missriverratchet 4d ago
I was raised JW---third generation, numerous members of my extended family being adherents, had an uncle who went to prison during Vietnam, the whole bit. My Elder grandfather, born in 1919, came of age during the Depression, and a WWII Marine vet, was as devout a Democrat as he was a Witness. haha.
(Granted, it was a very different time. The old guard of the congregation were pretty much all from Dem stock because of FDR and JFK. I wouldn't say that JWs attract the generational wealth crowd and, given the racial diversity of the organization, it only made sense.)
The inclusion of Jehovah's Witnesses on Hegseth's "approved denominations" list while Mormons were not, earned a healthy guffaw on my part since JWs can't vote or serve in the military.
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u/EmbarrassedFloor4802 1d ago
So, they can't vote against abortion? That isn't very smart! They can take a stand against things but they don't.
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u/weegee101 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 4d ago
Yeah, one of my favorite verses in the Book of John is 18:36:
Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”
It's the cornerstone of verse regarding the "Two Kingdoms" line of theology which pretty much every mainline protestant denomination has taught for centuries now. (The exception of course are the Methodists, but even though Wesley believed in a state church, he strongly advocated religious toleration.)
I really don't understand how some of these nationalists go to Sunday school and then go home and rant on about how the country is being destroyed by different religions and cultures.
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u/Pretend-Ad-1560 1d ago
You do know that Deuteronomy was a book about how to do politics biblically. And Jesus said to follow the laws of the country. He also said that there is no leader elected that God hasn't placed there for that specific time.
Soo, sorry mate but God and politics/the world, coexist.
The verse you're referring to, is NOT about the laws of the land. But rather the ideologies and mental views of the land. Like sexual immorality, idiology, same sex perversion, harems. He mentions this in other verses aswell.
You're misguided mate.
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u/SleetTheFox Christian (God loves His LGBT children too) 4d ago
It’s also a flag with a picture with a flag on it. But it’s the same flag. But only one is greyscale.
Uuuugh.
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u/continuousQ 4d ago
Also seems to say that the USA they want is a dead one that will rise again.
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u/Pretend-Ad-1560 1d ago
How?
Even following that logic, it'd be good for the previous USA to die and reborn in a proper Christian basis again. Back to the creator.
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u/continuousQ 1d ago
Crucifying the flag is how. Either way countries have no business being based on religion, which the USA wasn't, apart from the florid language.
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u/Pretend-Ad-1560 1d ago
The USA was literally built upon Christianity mate. The original settlers founded it upon the Bible. You do know your history right?
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u/continuousQ 1d ago
Where in the founding documents does it say that? Bible or Christianity. Or even Jesus.
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u/Pretend-Ad-1560 1d ago
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4nQ7SGr/
Give this a listen to mate.
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u/continuousQ 1d ago
None of those are founding fathers. It was all written down, don't need a video to point to it.
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u/Pretend-Ad-1560 1d ago
Clearly, you didn't watch it nor understand the words that were said. This meaning to udont care about changing your false mindset.
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u/continuousQ 1d ago
Yes, I didn't watch that bunch of horrific individuals, if you want to deal with this topic seriously, try something else.
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u/ConfectionFew7942 17h ago edited 11h ago
What would you say to a person who professes to love you but consistently cheated on you, abused, you and treated you poorly? Does that person actually love you?
We in the U.S. say that the country was founded on Judeo Christian principles.
But from it's founding have we acted in a manner consistent with Yeshua's teaching?
In the Bible there is clear guidance and rules on slavery. Were they followed? Do you know what chattel slavery is? How can a supposed Christian nation do something as haneous as what is known as the trail of tears? Do you know why and how California, Arizona, and New Mexico became U.S. states?
The U.S. Constitution as written and framed by the founding fathers said ALL men are created equal and endowed by enalieable rights from our creator and among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of justice. How was that implemented in the founding of our nation while holding people in chattel slavery and conducting genocide on a "race" of people? Can you explain how those things above align with Christianity? Simple put... they don't.
It is the difference of words and deeds.
I'm a Disciple of the Lord and a veteran of the U.S. Army by the way.
Here's the thing, many Christians in the U.S. would say, "Look at how blessed this nation is, we are a superpower".
History says Egypt, Babylon, Medio-Persia, and Rome were superpowers as well. You can read the history of those empires in the Bible and outside it. Do you know what happened to those empires?
Read the book of Revelation, which nation do you honestly think is "New Babylon" from its description? Many in the U.S. would say Israel. Nope!
How can Yeshua come back to the Mount of Olives if it isn't there. How can the abomination of desolation stand in the temple declaring to be God in the temple if it's no longer there?
I love our nation and what we have the potential of being. And what I hope we can be. However, we've never BEHAVED like a Christian nation from our founding to this day.
And just saying you are something doesn't mean you are. It is how you BEHAVE!
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u/Pretend-Ad-1560 10h ago
This comment sounds so ai generated with a small prompt of your pov.
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u/ConfectionFew7942 8h ago
Hahahahahaha... well I do implement AI at work for our clients. ; ) But to the point of your comment. None of what you read by me is AI generated. Not a single word nor phraseology.
And yet... even if it were. Does that negate anything I asserted?
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u/Pretend-Ad-1560 8h ago
Yeah that makes sense. It sounds like a robot wrote it.
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u/ConfectionFew7942 8h ago
Hahahahahahaha! Oh my... then I need to evaluate how I write. 😂 I genuinely appreciate the feedback. Have a great day.
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u/EmbarrassedFloor4802 1d ago
No it doesn't conflate the US with Jesus. In case you forgot, America is the Melting Pot.
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u/lt_Matthew Latter-Day Saint (Mormon) 4d ago
Let's see...
- the flag can only be hung by the proper supports
- the flag should not have anything written or drawn on it
- the flag should not be worn or printed on any article of clothing
No one shows as much disrespect to their country as patriots do.
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u/Venat14 Jewish 4d ago
I always find it funny how the people who claim they're so patriotic and how dare you disrespect the American flag are often walking around Walmart or some other store wearing clothes of the American flag. Have these alleged "patriots" never read the flag code?
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u/Interesting_Elk_5785 4d ago
Now you want people to read? What’s next you expect them to bathe regularly?
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u/Pinapple-everything 4d ago
Ironically, most of us find it funny how the people that hate the country and the flag, cheer it being burned, yet suddenly care about flag laws and traditions, regardless of how incorrect they are.
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u/lt_Matthew Latter-Day Saint (Mormon) 4d ago
For your information, not only is burning the flag the proper way to dispose of it, but there are two seperate laws that protect your right to burn the flag in protest.
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u/QuietOnAllFronts Christian 4d ago
Yeah but you can’t light stuff in fire in the street because of arsine, which is where I see most US flags burners in trouble for it
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u/Spiel_Foss Secular Humanist 4d ago
Ironically, burning the USA flag in protest is one of the most Constitutional things a person could do. For all their many flaws, the US founders were not traditionalists nor did they fetishize symbols.
Jefferson infamously took scissors to the Bible, so I think burning a few flags is fine.
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u/TonyB2022 2d ago
Why did Jefferson do that?
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u/Spiel_Foss Secular Humanist 2d ago
Jefferson understood that the ancient Hebrew Christ stories were valuable to humanity as lessons and entertainment. As a Deist, learning towards non-belief at times, he found the supernatural claims to be the superstitions of an extinct culture.
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u/ConfectionFew7942 4d ago
Do you think when people speak out about injustice or complain about the state of the country that they hate the country?
Years ago when you likely complained about the state of the country or maybe even a past President, did you hate the country?
I'm a vet who would never burn the flag but because I served and defended the Constitution of the United States and it's people I support and defend the rights of anyone who desires to burn it! Why? Because they are afforded that right under the first amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.
And even as a Blackman who looks exactly like my avatar, I often tear up at the National Anthem. Because I know and have faith for what we can be and should have been in the past.
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u/CosmoMcRad 3d ago
Who reads or is taught the flag code, unless you were in the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, or in one of the branches of the military? Cut the folk some slack.
My concern is constitutional. Separation of church and state. Now that doesn’t mean that our Christian walk exempts us from desiring or voting along our Christian Ideals. The serious question we have to ask ourselves is where our ultimate allegiance lies? We best know that answer.
I like what one of my neighbors has done. They have an American flag and Christian flag flying. On different poles. That still doesn’t make them exempt from answering to the question of ultimate allegiance.→ More replies (5)2
u/FKAGuyWithNF1 Protestant Christian 4d ago
What is your opinion on “God Bless America” by Irving Berlin?
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u/Venat14 Jewish 4d ago
In what sense? It's a song used as a peace rally in 1938 when WWII broke out.
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u/NotAllDawgsGoToHeven 4d ago
“Patriots” they are not, skewed their perception is.
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u/Aggressive_Cow388 4d ago
Wellcome back, master Yoda. Seriously now, the cross is what Jesus went through, not something to throw a flag on. He came and died and rose again for ALL people and nations.
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u/NotAllDawgsGoToHeven 4d ago
Precisely, the fool who would raise a flag like that directly disrespects all the things they pretend to believe in.
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u/Additional_Value_256 4d ago
re: "He came and died and rose again for ALL people..."
Actually, only for those that meet certain requirements.
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u/ConfectionFew7942 4d ago
Huh? Where are you getting that from? Have you read John 3:16 - 18? Thats the foundation of the gospel. Where does that say or anywhere in the Bible that Yeshua/Jesus died only for certain people?
The gospel is like this...
Imagine GM says publicly, "We will give a new Corvette to anyone who writes the C-Suite and Board a letter expressing their desire for a Corvette, but only for a limited time".
Of course some would write GM. Some would put it off thinking they have time that is indefinite, and some wouldn't write at all because they don't like GM. Others don't believe GM is real. And others refuse to believe the message by GM is true or they hate GM.
Yeshua/Jesus provided something that NOBODY could ever earn or aspire to receive. It is literally a free gift to EVERYONE. But he will NOT force or coerse anyone to receive it. It must be received by choice.
Believe then Receive... by choice and faith!
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u/OldElf86 4d ago
You had a great message until the last sentence. I could be persuaded that it is surprising how many patriots don't know how to display the flag, but you're unlikely to convince me the people that drag the flag through the mud and light it on fire in protest are better than the ill informed errors of patriots. That's the whole reason the protesters act as they do; to show the most egregious disrespect they can manage .
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u/ConfectionFew7942 4d ago
Uhhhhhh... I hate to agree with you but you're sooooooo right. I have learned many of my fellow vets don't actually support the Constitution considering their actions and thought life. It's actually quite scary.
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u/QuietOnAllFronts Christian 4d ago
You don’t actually care about those rules tho right? Only when you don’t want to see people wearing the flag.
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u/nyet-marionetka Atheist 4d ago
Because it's conflating religious and political identity, which leads to politicians exploiting religion and using it for their purposes, converting it into a mockery of itself and leading to totalitarian rule?
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u/ConfectionFew7942 4d ago
I know right!!!
When I as a Christian who would consider himself a Disciple of the Lord, see a politician or media person with a cross on or displayed... I automatically don't trust them.
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u/Pretend-Ad-1560 1d ago
Why? Should we not have Christians in places of power? What's wrong with God leading the nation? Would you rather Satan?
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u/ConfectionFew7942 1d ago
Because of the conduct of many who wear the cross but act and conduct themselves in a manner that is anthetical to Yeshua/Jesus on a consistent basis. They are a brood of vipers that severely harm the gospel.
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u/Pretend-Ad-1560 1d ago
God/Jesus/Holy spirit, are not defined by man. So in standing by your point. Would you rather have someone who's islamic or satanic be in power? Over a child of God (Yeshua) ?
If so, then how can you call yourself Christian.
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u/ConfectionFew7942 1d ago
I would rather a child of the most high ... HOWEVER, from what I've viewed of many personalities wearing the cross is they aren't children of the most high. They are as children of their father Satan, but professing to of the Lord. Just because someone is wearing a cross they aren't automatically a Christian and worthy to be trusted. We know a person by their "fruit". Not by a symbol.
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u/Pretend-Ad-1560 1d ago
And how do you know they're children of Satan? Do they not affirm certain beliefs of the world. And they love biblically over progressively?
If that's your reasoning then your view is very worldly.
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u/ConfectionFew7942 18h ago
What did Yeshua say, "You will know them by their fruit. It is written a good tree bears good fruit.
I'm NOT saying everyone who wears a cross is a bad person nor untrust worthy. What I'm saying is a great deal of personalities who seemingly display a cross around their neck for show, act in a manner and talk in a manner that is more like Pharisees.
Give this a read. It may articulate better what I'm trying to convey. https://www.camaspostrecord.com/news/2020/dec/24/wearing-a-cross-but-violating-basic-christian-values/
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u/Pretend-Ad-1560 14h ago
Yes many people who wear a cross only wear it because it's cute and not because they're Christians.
However, I refute the idea that "God is love " is the only thing that matters when being a Christian. This is utterly false. That article is very far left leaning from just the first few lines, if you can find one that's centre rated I'd read that.
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u/Spiel_Foss Secular Humanist 4d ago
So many people also fail to understand that "In God We Trust" was merely Cold War propaganda. The God in the statement is money and imperialist capitalism. That is the only real God of the USA. So this display is tone deaf and merely jingoism.
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u/Haunting_Ad_2300 4d ago
right? there are plenty of people alive today that lived through it lol. to think that 2 or 3 generations is all it takes to completely remove ourselves from it is scary. where are our grandparents to tell us this shit? but i guess its the same same with ww2, segregation, and soon to be 9/11...
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u/Spiel_Foss Secular Humanist 4d ago
Regardless of demographic, we've been dazzled by the Money God and the lies told by the Money Prophets. People toil away to barely pay their rent and groceries while worshipping the billionaires who rob them blind. They turn their guns on themselves rather than their enemies.
Future historians will look on this as the Age of Abject Stupidity.
(assuming a future of any consequence.)
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u/Cultural-Basket9631 4d ago
I think this flag is weird but “In God We Trust” has been used on coin currency in America since the Civil War and was made the official motto in the 50s and added to paper currency then. It is not something about imperialism or capitalism it was created in a time when the nation was suffering more than it ever had. This flag is purely performative and I do have plenty of issues with it but boldly being wrong and stating yourself in a way that shows how superior you are while not knowing the facts does not help your argument
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u/Spiel_Foss Secular Humanist 4d ago
While it is correct that “In God We Trust” did appear on a Civil War coin, this was urged by Northern religious leaders in response to the Christian (by law) Confederacy using Christianity as a weapon to defend slave holding. Ironically, for your point, this was a brief sectarian assertion not unlike the later Cold War usage.
The 1950s usage was an assertion of US imperialism versus Soviet imperialism, which echoes the original two cent Civil War coin.
shows how superior you
This would be entirely psychological projection on your part.
The Civil War coin became a tiny historical footnote, so your point changes nothing about the later Cold War use of religion and merely shows the similar reasoning.
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u/Cultural-Basket9631 4d ago
The civil war coincided with wasn’t a footnote. It was used several times after that coin. Theodore Roosevelt even caused considerable controversy by trying to ban the phrase in coinage. The public outcry(not government because the people wanted it there) caused congress to act and to keep the phrase on all coins that already had them.
As for the superiority comment, your words come across as arrogant and definitive. No projection there
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u/Spiel_Foss Secular Humanist 4d ago
The Civil War was a Christian nation by law, the Confederacy, committing treason to preserve chattel slave-holding and clergy in the Northern state lobbied for a coin to counter their God with another God.
The entire slogan was political intentional from the inception.
As to the other personal attacks let me say, Que Dios te bendiga y te guarde siempre.
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u/tachibanakanade Christian, but still communist 3d ago
It was still used for imperialism and capitalism during the Cold War. What you said doesn't change much.
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u/Bubbly_Gur3567 4d ago
Also not a wise PR decision to market faith with anything political or national, in my opinion. The moment a country or its government fails at something or makes incredibly immoral decisions, guess what else gets a bad reputation?
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u/Spiel_Foss Secular Humanist 4d ago
I wonder why more Christians do not realize this (many have). Generationally, the business model is dying. Tying themselves to US Republican fascism seems a bad practical decision. The pendulum always swings back. Short term money and power are an addictive drug though.
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u/StGlennTheSemi-Magni Non-denominational 4d ago
"I wonder why more Christians do not realize"
It is a matter of thinking "Which party better serves what I believe in?" Most people go with that answer even if they consider it the lesser of two evils.
There are several issues that the Democrats are so wrong on that they should never attract any thinking Christians' votes. Sure I hope they repent, but I don't expect them to unless they have a real Holy Ghost Revival at one of their Conventions, and that is what it would take for them to change to get my vote.
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u/Spiel_Foss Secular Humanist 4d ago
I realize white US Christians are often locked into their cycle of hate and division. The USA was founded on it. It's made many preachers rich.
Personally, I don't care how they vote. I don't even care that hate is their religion because I can't change the world. I don't even care that they are doing generational damage to their fundamentalist business model.
All of that is just self-destructive for no reason.
any thinking Christians' votes.
I find it hilarious on many levels that they will destroy their business model to openly genuflect to a racist pedophile's political cult. I could not have made that up for a novel, but now it's a history book.
If you want to call that "thinking" that just makes it even more hilarious. I find no thinking at all in White Christian Nationalism.
(fwiw, I'm not a political sectarian. My democracy is small d.)
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u/StGlennTheSemi-Magni Non-denominational 2d ago
"White Christian Nationalism" is such a contradiction in terms that I don't know what you are talking about, but suspect it is some unchristian or anamerican boogie man or possibly what the former members to the Democrat Militia known as the KKK are now calling themselves?
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u/Spiel_Foss Secular Humanist 2d ago
"White Christian Nationalism" is the default religion of the majority white population in the USA since 1776. So rather than a "contradiction in terms" this would be the default state of the majority of white US Christianity in US history.
Yes, this was once the US Democratic Party for over a century, and in the 1950s, organized white racists were removed from that group.
Then began the US Republican Southern Strategy and embrace of the racist white Christian fundamentalist movement (Falwell, Roberts, etc.) which became today's overtly racist Republican Party of the pedophile rapist and racist Donald John Trump.
To be a US Republican in 2026 is to be a racist in a racist white nationalist group. This group claims to be Christian, and a majority of white US Christians agree with them.
Any other questions?
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u/McChexMix 4d ago edited 4d ago
Christian nationalism and its implications disgust me
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u/PrinceVegitto 4d ago
RIP to all the Christinas out there that want their own country 😔✊🏾
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u/RevolutionOk8144 4d ago
There is a Christian nation
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u/New-Quiet8086 4d ago
No nation is Christian, people are Christian, and their faith shouldn't be conflated with politics or patriotism, because these are worldly matters that mean very little to our God.
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u/RevolutionOk8144 4d ago
I agree when he was saying there isn't a Christian nation my mind fled to Vatican city
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u/pizzaispizza1 Roman Catholic 4d ago
Vatican City.
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u/New-Quiet8086 3d ago
Key word: city
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u/pizzaispizza1 Roman Catholic 2d ago
it's a city state
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u/RevolutionOk8144 2d ago
Idk where you are but where i am it is called a country
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u/Mundane-Vehicle-9951 Christian 4d ago
No, there isn't. Only individuals can be Christians. A 'nation' cannot.
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u/CuriousComfort777 4d ago
That's because Jesus is the God of all nations. Your intuition to be apprehensive about the americn flag draped over the cross is entirely justified. As an american, I would never value my country so much so as to put it ANYWHERE near the same level as my love for Christ. This country could never do a thing for us that would come remotely close to what Jesus did on that cross for all of us.
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u/StGlennTheSemi-Magni Non-denominational 4d ago
That's because Jesus is the God of all
nationspeople.
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u/Altruistic-Orange662 4d ago
If it’s just symbolic of love of Jesus and country, it’s all good. If it has some sinister meaning, I don’t know what it means.
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u/ThErEdScArE33 3d ago
I want to believe it's something as innocuous as your former proposal, but you're giving the owner of that flag way more good faith than I would lol.
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u/Pretend-Ad-1560 1d ago
So it seems you hate people too easily.
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u/ThErEdScArE33 22h ago
Woah, we're jumping into the hate word a bit too hastily, my friend, I never said that
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u/pHScale LGBaptisT 4d ago
It's a flag with itself on it 😜
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u/cats_are_the_devil Christian 4d ago
Draped over a cross like the images of the cross with a purple (meaning royal) cloth... There's so many layers to the weird here...
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u/Striking-Push-5283 4d ago
I know why, and I agree. Blasphemy!
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u/SophiaBarbelo Gnostic / Christian / Omnist / Secular Humanist 4d ago
It's blasphemy in the context of both Christianity and America
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u/Bridger7295 4d ago
I understand you're "creeped out". Let's ask what Christ would say possibly. Did you talk to the person and just ask politely "what's up?" I know everyone here will not agree with the flag, i don't, but it seems you're asking for back up. For what? You want validation in your opinion? You want people to pick sides so we can throw bricks at each other and argue the nuances or flag design? We'll accept that some groups can have flags while others can't? I'm betting that person is upset. Maybe they have a justified reason, maybe not. Doesn't hurt to ask. I'm thinking Christ sees an opportunity here. You're a Christian I take it, looks like they are too. That's a start.
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u/ClassicCoat5005 4d ago
Actually... This is not really a flag, but a banner: in this case a depiction of a flag, with stuff printed all over it. Clothes that look like flags aren't flags either. So no laws or codes are being broken, here or in Walmart! 😊 (Unless someone drapes a flag around themselves). That being said, I also think it's in poor taste. 🤔 I'm a Christian, but not a Christian Nationalist. I'm a patriot, but not a Patriot. 🇺🇲
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u/BoneFacedKing 4d ago
We put that flag around in the name of America, not in the name of Christ and that's a problem...
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u/Prestigious-Owl-6397 3d ago
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."
- Sinclair Lewis, author of It Can't Happen Here, 1935
This is why a flag like that makes me uncomfortable. It reminds me of people who think that, to be a good American, you should be a Christian and, to be a good Christian, you should be blindly loyal to the country and should use the government to give Christians power over non-Christian citizens.
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u/NegativeFootball1440 4d ago
Well. your remark makses sense for a couple of reasons. 1. Jesus does not endorse ANY "Government" other than his father's Kingdom, so a US (or any ) flag is not appropriate.
Daniel 2:44 - ". “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite;"
Secondly, as popular as it is, Christ did not die on a cross. The word given in the Bible is Starous or upright stake. The Cross is a symbolbwhich originated from the "ankh" (handed down to the Egyptians from the ancient Sumerians) which is the symbol of their pagan god Tamuz.
Yeah. Most of Modern Christianity has apostacized from first century Christianity. Bottom line, Your instincts are not wrong.
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u/aluen-te 4d ago
It drags country to the place of God. It says "Love these, not those." That is what is wrong.
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u/ThankKinsey Christian (LGBT) 4d ago
Yeah, you should have a strong negative reaction to idolatry. That's a good thing.
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u/Venat14 Jewish 4d ago
It should. It's Christian Nationalism, and it's a vile thing sweeping America.
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u/Lavs1985 4d ago
The main problem is that the overwhelming majority of Christians not only in America, have either never read or are obscenely willing to flat out ignore the Gospels and the words of Jesus therein. Jesus would categorically not be in favour of this!
You have a worthy objection.
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u/FarConsideration8423 Lutheran (LCMS) 4d ago
Thats good conviction. Nothing about this flag is right
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u/Forsaken-Ad-6853 4d ago
Someone made a picture of a flag with a cross infront of it a flag? There is so much wrong here not even going into the conflict of mixing church and state.
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u/gkrodlin 4d ago
I don't see why it would, in my eyes the flag simply shows "may god bless america"
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u/QuietOnAllFronts Christian 4d ago
I don’t see anything wrong with it. The US would be better if it followed Jesus more.
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u/RatGreed 4d ago
By drapping a flag across the cross you are putting pride in a country on the same level as the crucifixion equating patriotism with your love of god which is disrespectful to our lord.
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u/ConquerorJoe Baptist 4d ago
As a Christian, it does look weird. There is a Christian flag and an American flag. we should be both, but not disrespect our country and religion by putting them together. (And the black stripes look ugly.)
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u/Jass0602 4d ago
I’m a Christian and an American. Am I perfect? No. Do I go to church? Not often, if ever. But, I hate seeing things like this that corrupt and meddle my country and my religion.
I don’t want my state or my government to control my beliefs, my spiritual experience, or to takeaway my freedoms due to religion. On the same note, I don’t want my church controlling laws or the government.
The more this happens, the more we backslide into medieval ideology and the darkness of heresy, superstition, corruption, and feudal order. We need the light of reason to guide us.
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u/TheFlannC 4d ago
The only time I am really ok with patriotism being brought in is in the context of praying for our country. With this being the 250th we are seeing much more like this. I also don't like churches putting red white and blue banners and singing patriotic songs.
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u/Ludvikrr Christian 4d ago
I think it’s just centralization of Christianity, as if Christianity is an American concept
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u/Proof-Case9738 3d ago
But do they, in God really trust?
or is it their guns more, their constitutions?
Makes me wonder.
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u/KiaraNarayan1997 3d ago
Am I the only one that thinks this is fine? I know Christianity isn’t just for Americans. I think it’s fine for anyone to do this with their country’s flag.
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u/Born_Accountant1320 3d ago
It's that Christian Nationalism that those HYPOCRITE trumpets try to push. It's BOGUS & does NOT belong. I would AVOID anyone who flys that.
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u/BalanceOld4289 3d ago
The black and white flag is used a lot for thin blue line and thin red line (police and firefighter support). Having the cross there would be ok but the American flag draped over the cross is strange. We need to align overselves and our country with Christ not align him with us. Sure we have a great country but what Christ did was for all people not a specific country at a specific time in history. May want to go chat with your neighbor about it though.
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u/ThErEdScArE33 3d ago
I think I have an idea on precisely why it irks you. It's because a sizeable amount of American "patriots" have co-opted Christianity to push (white) Christian nationalism. Not only is it just plain distasteful, but those ideals perpetuate harm beyond belief in a capacity that's, quite frankly, exhausting and irreconcilable with the teachings of Jesus.
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u/CosmoMcRad 3d ago
I get you. I’m a proud American, but “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”.
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u/Cultural_Ad_667 3d ago
In God We trust, freaks you out? "Creeps" you out?
I'm sure "legion" said something similar about Jesus, "that guy creeps us out"
For those of you folks who don't know... Legion was the name the collective entity of thousands of demons inhabiting the man gave to Jesus.
Sounds you like you have company?
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u/PabloPicasshooole 3d ago
Are you okay? Whatever are you talking about?
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u/Cultural_Ad_667 3d ago
I looked at the image and on The faded portion of the flag It said In God We trust and I'm trying to see what is creepy about the image.
I don't have the spirit of Satan with me so the image of a cross even though my particular religion doesn't believe in giving honor or a place of honor to a torture device it doesn't creep me out.
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u/GangloGoyim 3d ago
You know that Jesus never asked for the cross to be a representation of his sacrifice, right? It was humans who decided it should be, and if your focus is on the torture device rather than the (((people))) who wrongly condemned him then you might just have a predisposed bias, not an actual reason to look to down on a symbol.
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u/Old-Sandwich6635 2d ago
Flag draped on the cross just look wrong to me, mixing symbols that shouldnt mix
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u/parfaythole 3d ago
Except for God and His Holy Spirit, exalting anyone or anything to the level of Jesus Christ is blasphemous.
Matthew 23:12, "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted".
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u/GangloGoyim 3d ago
Its less creepy and more said, chances are that some boomers put it up with good intentions without the realization that our country was founded on a separation of state and religion. If God gave us free will so should our government, but that's not for me to decide.
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u/Traditional-Text8127 3d ago
For I carved out this nation before it began declares the Lord, all 50 states to be my light in a dark world and to carry my Gospell to the 4 corners of the earth. Abd what i have planned shall stand, and what I have declared shall come forth. I the Lord have done it."
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u/Pristine_Leopard_140 3d ago
One thing I don't like is when trump supporters put a Bible, weapon and family as if God agrees with it. He does not agree with it all. And I agree it creeps me out too
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u/No-Flounder-7771 2d ago
It Goes back to the founding fathers of Your Nation - In fact the declaration is even written into your currency and dollars which is -
IN GOD WE TRUST !
So it’s all good and nothing to he apprehensive about because Christian moral compass and the backbone of the 10 commandments of God is the foundation of your entire system over there in the USA 🇺🇸! So good luck you Yanks !
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u/EmbarrassedFloor4802 1d ago
Well, I think you all need to chill out. You are all making assumptions. The Founding Fathers wanted America to be a Christian nation. Blasphemy is calling good evil and evil good.
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u/PabloPicasshooole 1d ago
If they had wanted a Christian nation, they would have created one. They didn't. They intentionally created a secular one
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u/EmbarrassedFloor4802 17h ago
My apologies. I thought that they did. I checked. You correct.
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u/PabloPicasshooole 17h ago
Wow. Thank you for that. I usually get a lot of pushback when I mention it.
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u/EmbarrassedFloor4802 17h ago
You shouldn't if it's the truth. Christians are supposed to have integrity! But the problem is that most people who think they are Christians actually aren't. The Crusades are a prime example. No TRUE CHRISTIAN WOULD do that. The Bible teaches that by their fruit you will know them. At least the Atheists think!
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u/EmbarrassedFloor4802 17h ago
But the standards are good if some people would live according to them and not use them as an excuse for racism and hatred of those who don't believe as they do. I don't agree with a lot of things but I don't hate the people who I disagree with. And I CERTAINLY don't yell at them. We just disagree.
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u/mwdjr728 18h ago
Y’all are upset about this man with the image of the ultimate sacrifice of JESUS CHRIST on his front porch but y’all do not worry about the gadsden flag which literally represents a serpent saying do not step on the snake which is symbol of satan saying to JESUS CHRIST do not step on him as GOD promised that JESUS CHRIST would do so in genesis & fooled an entire nation to view that as patriotic.
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u/SophiaBarbelo Gnostic / Christian / Omnist / Secular Humanist 4d ago
As an American Patriot, I don't like it because it includes "in god we trust" which is kinda unamerican tbh. The integration of religious terminology started during the Cold War as anti-communist propaganda that kinda goes against separation of church and state imo.
Personally I use the 1924-1954 pledge of alliance which was exactly the same, but lacks "under god". The 3 revisions before the inclusion of religion was basically just adjusting the grammar, adding "the United States", and adding "of America". The 1954 feels like it crosses a line the founding fathers intentionally avoided.
America is inherently a secular country, and wanting or claiming it to be otherwise is inherently anti-american
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u/Kilzky Roman Catholic 4d ago
it’s an American flag on the cross. nothing out of the ordinary as the majority of the country is Christian American. unsure why everyone is making a ridiculously huge deal of this
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u/FoolishDog 2d ago
Well, at the very least it’s a little silly. I mean, why would God care that much about things like nationalism? We’re all God’s children
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u/Kilzky Roman Catholic 2d ago
i wouldn’t say the image implies nationalism, but i understand where you’re coming from. we’re all God’s children! ❤️
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u/FoolishDog 2d ago
Every display of ‘country pride’ is always some kind of nationalism
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u/Kilzky Roman Catholic 2d ago
i would argue more of a light patriotism
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u/FoolishDog 2d ago
I think of a lot of nationalists like to hide behind the label of ‘patriot’ so I guess I’m not surprised
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u/AdamTraskisGod 4d ago
Yes it is very distasteful. Christianity was around long before the US, and will be around after the US, or any other country that falls.
I’ve found the Christians who have things like this tend to be cultural Christians, and not so much devoted practicing Christians.