American Witnesses face difficult time over flag

by ozziepost 35 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  DannyBear

  tj

  I guess that I went through the very same 'mind/soul search' about all this kill or be killed thing, even before leaving the WT. I always had a twinge of guilt, taking advantage of all the perks of being an American, and yet never able to offer an audible slogan 'I pledge allegence' or to sing a song of appreciation. I knew even then that it was a sham, an insult to those who sacrificed it all.

  I guess once you have made the decision, it is alot easier to 'go for it' without reservation. It is one area of my freedom from wt. dogma, that I have very little if any, quandry or second thoughts about. The real world the real events, happening around us, do not allow me the luxury of wishing it were different. It is the way it is.

  Maybe someday God, or mankind will end the need for it, but right now today, it ain't happen'n. I wish it were different. Wishing never got anyone anywhere.

  Danny
• 

  dungbeetle

  I've been getting flack from my neighbors over my refusal to fly a flag or recite the national anthem and I don't know what all. Of course, my neighbors give me flack if my grass is too tall.

  I tell them simply that I am a minister, that I am of service to all people, that I help people who are suffering. And that if you tell me that someone is being harmed by my not flying a flag, then I will fly one in keeping with the scripture Phillipians 4:8...Whatsoever things are good...etc.

  Haven't had a serious problem yet. I also did a very crude drawing of planet earth and stuck it in my window (don't have a flag just yet).

  In a lot of cases it's the presentation that makes the difference.

  Toodles...

  dungbeetle...cleaning up the crap.
• 

  cindy

  I think that most people don't really care if you don't fly a flag outside of your house, but if you refuse to take a symbol of our country you are saying in so many words that you are not on our side. Even this web site has a red white and blue ribbon. Is that sinful?
• 

  Seeker

  cindy,

  but if you refuse to take a symbol of our country you are saying in so many words that you are not on our side.

  No, you are saying in so many words that you are an American who believes in the right to free speech, allowing you to express your support and patriotism in whatever way you choose, not a way that is forced upon you. When patriotic forms of expression are forced upon someone, it ceases to be freedom.

  Even this web site has a red white and blue ribbon. Is that sinful?

  Of course not! Who said anything about sin? This was a choice Simon made to express support, and it's great. I fully support his right to put that ribbon up. That's freedom of speech, and he's not even American.
• 

  Bridgette

  My husband and I have our American Flag flying outside of our house. We did this because we WANT to. For those who don't wish to, I respect that, too. These are the precepts that our country was built on. The ability to question the powers that be. The freedom to fly the flag or not. But conversely, neighbors and those around you have the right to disagree with you. I just don't want to see innocent little JW children get hurt in all this. THEY bear the brunt. Their parents can dodge the issue somewhat. THESE kids can't--they're faced with it every day in school when the pledge is said. JW parents ought to give their children the unburdened choice of whether or not they wish to salute the flag. I remember being a tiny little girl, only witness in a small-town texas school, sitting through the pledge. I was so f*ing scared. I was caught between Jehovah's "loving" wrath, and a room full of rednecks. Having been taught what Jehovah does to disloyal little girls, I found the rednecks slightly less scary. I was no more a faithful jw than anything--I was a child, and should not have been called upon to make such a decision. I WAS 6 years old and scared out of my mind!!!
  Oh, where was I? So, if you want to fly the flag, which I do proudly, then do. If you don't, then don't.
  I love living in this country. I love the freedom to believe whatever I choose and practice that belief as I wish. I love voting--getting to CHOSE who leads me my community. I love getting to speak my mind. I love being able to have my opinion and voice it. I just LOVE this country! It's everything the organization was not. I'm like an immigrant after leaving the ORG. I appreciate what I have. I don't need to fly my flag to show it. I fly my flag, because I want to. AND because I celebrate the fact that I live in a country where I don't HAVE to.
  Bridgette
• 

  Englishman

  The stars n' stripes are not that common over here.

  But! One of the infamous London Tabloids, namely The Sun, http://www.the-sun.co.uk/, decided to print an American flag so that it could be blazoned in shops and offices that were in support of the USA.

  Folks, I have to tell you that virtually every shop and business premises in WSM is flying the flag of America, so dont you guys make the mistake of thinking that you are on your own in this.

  Englishman.

  Stay Alive 'Til '75!
• 

  thewiz

  Dannybear, we have all those things because of GOD not soldiers. We have hate because of ourselves. The enemy IS us.
• 

  LovesDubs

  About a month ago, I found a gold charm for a charm bracelet of a jet. I was going to give it to my flight attendant friend across the street. I picked it up last Wed and put it on a chain around my neck. Every time I look at it...well...I look at it a lot. People from 40 different countries were killed in that massacre. Not just Americans. I prefer to remember all of them.

  Loves
• 

  waiting

  Howdy wiz,

  Dannybear, we have all those things because of GOD not soldiers. We have hate because of ourselves. The enemy IS us. - thewiz

  Does that mean that people who don't live in relative freedom don't have God on their sides? By your logic, it does.

  I agree with Danny - a lot of our freedoms depend on warriors & money (I addd that part.)

  *****************************

  I live in South Carolina - by an Air Force base of fighter pilots, and they're all getting ready to be shipped out. Some businesses/people have flags out some don't. We don't as we don't want to be deemed apostates (due to family).

  We have Air Force in our store every day - there has not been one negative comment to us about it. But honestly, today a young man & I were talking about his being shipped out, I shook his hand, said thanks and good luck. And we agreed to see each other soon again.

  It really felt good to be able to identify in some small way.

  waiting
• 

  more2C

  I work in a arts and crafts gallery. There are many crafters who are donating proceeds of their sales to charities.

  There are no red, white and blue craft materials and flags to be found anywhere. We have 3 page waiting list for American flags, so that these customers can display their flags.

  more2C