Myths about flags (US)?

by rebel8 13 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  rebel8

  http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/4/ch1.html

  Myth 1—Flags must be on display in every building open to the public, including khs. There is what seems to be an urban myth among jws that they are required by law to have a flag at the kh, so they put it in a hidden spot just to be compliant.

  This seems to be a misinterpretation of US Flag Code, which requires display in public buildings. Khs are private (non-governmental) buildings, are they not?

  The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution.

  Myth 2—It is legal to not stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, lowering/raising/passing of the flag, because of jw activism.

  Excerpts:

  The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”, should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart..

  During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart.

  http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=319&invol=624

  The above decision seems to be that enforcement of the US Flag Code’s requirements will be abated? Am I correct?

  So IOW, jws are breaking the law (regulation)? A small distinction, but I find it interesting that what we were told is that jws changed the law.
• 

  blondie

  I had been a jw for over 45 years in several states, never saw a flag outside or inside, visible to the "public."
• 

  JeffT

  Myth 2 is not a myth. You do not have to stand, salute, put your hand over your heart etc. There have been any number of court cases regarding this.

  I didn't spend as much time around KH's as Blondie, but I've never seen a flag at one either. Nor do you see one at numerous other buildings "open to the public."
• 

  rebel8

  Sorry--ran out of time to finish my op. There is a jw myth in some areas that they must keep flags in the khs and they do, but in a drawer or behind a bookcase. They also have it at assemblies, but hidden. A silly, unnecessary thing for them to do.....if only they favored looking things up for themselves....I suppose that's what happens when you go through life blindly believing what others tell you.

  JeffT--As I understand it, the words in the US Flag Code as posted are currently in force. Yet court decisions have been in favor of not punishing people who don't abide by it. Therefore the code is not enforced because the conviction (or punishment in a school) would be shot down in court as unconstitutional.

  Yet I grew up being told the jws changed the actual law. Not that it matters much.......but I happen to find it interesting the law was misconstrued once again. Just like, "Because of the 1st amendment, we can trespass."
• 

  OUTLAW

  Been all over the USA and Canada...........No Flags at Kingdom Hall`s.........Myth-BUSTED!!.................................

  ...OUTLAW
• 

  rebel8

  Did you look behind the bookcases and in the drawers?
• 

  Elsewhere

  There are absolutely NO laws regarding the display or treatment of flags. The First Amendment (freedom of speech) prevents such things.

  There are generally accepted rules of etiquette, but they are no different than "open a door for a lady".
• 

  hubert

  Elsewhere said..."There are absolutely NO laws regarding the display or treatment of flags."

  I don't know if this is a law, but I've been told that when you want to dispose of an old worn out American Flag, you are supposed to take it to an American Legion Hall, and they will collect these and burn them. (which I find odd).

  Hubert
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  JeffT

  This is from Wikipedia: "The United States Flag Code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the flag of the United States. It is Section 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code ( 4 U.S.C. § 1 et seq). This is a U.S. federal law, but there is no penalty for failure to comply with it and it is not widely enforced"
• 

  JimmyPage

  Whoops a doodle.