I just read that during a Veteran’s Day service, being conducted by a Catholic church, they are going to recite “The Meaning of the Twelve Folds of Our Flag.” Having never heard of this I decided to do some investigation. Well, as I suspected, the worst was true.
It seems the traditional formal flag folding ceremony, which entails twelve folds of the flag culminating in a triangular shape with the just the stars showing, has been mysteriously imbued with religious significance, specifically Christianity.
Here is the recitation of “the meaning” of the twelve folds of the American flag:
- 1st fold of our American Flag is a symbol of life.
- 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
- 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrances of the Veterans who have departed their prospective ranks who gave a portion of their life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world, not to have been in vain and shall never be forgotten.
- 4th fold represents our weaker nature; for as American citizens trusting in God, for it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for his divine guidance.
- 5th fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of the immortal Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong”.
- 6th fold of our flag represents where our hearts lie – and it is with our hearts that we pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of American, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
- 7th fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through these same armed forces that our country is protected and our flag protected against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
- 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, that we might see the light of the day, and this fold is made to honor a Mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
- 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the characters of men and who have made this country great have been molded.
- 10th fold is a tribute to fathers, for they too have given of their sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were his first born.
- 11th fold of our Flag, for in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, this represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.
- 12th and final fold, for in the eyes of a Christian Citizen, this represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies in their eyes God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Ghost.
One might ask:
“Where in the Flag Code is this religiously infused script written?” It isn’t.
“When did Congress sanction this religious interpretation of a simple traditional flag folding ceremony?” It didn’t.
“Is it a tradition going back to some earlier time?” Nope.
“Is the military using this religious script at any official ceremonies?” No.
“Would governmental sanction of such an interpretation be a violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause? Yep.
“Would this be offensive to any non-Jewish/ non-Christian veteran who fought for that flag and served their country?” YOU’RE DAMN SKIPPY IT IS!
So how is it that this totally fabricated and unauthorized infusion of religiosity into a wholly secular ritual is magically appearing? I have no idea. It seems theists must infect everything with their idiocy.
But I’ll say this: If I’m ever at a ceremony where my service as a veteran is being recognized and honored, and someone whips that inane, insulting and fraudulent crap out and starts to read it, they better have an armed guard… for verily defecation will hit the fan.
On November 11, please remember the vets, especially the fallen. Be grateful for their service and sacrifice. But don’t pray for them, it just insults their memory and nothing is there to hear it.
I am new to your blog. I am half way through your book "The atheist Camel Chronicles". To say I believe in everything you write in this book would be an understatment. I am presently battling the Saint Benedict Center (SBC) in Richmond NH. This "good" religious group (not recognized by the diocese of Manchester, leaders deny the holocaust, want to make Richmond "holy" ,want to eliminate public education, want to imprison gay people,want to ban any form of contraception, want to change the US Constitution and make the US a theocracy and so much more). They are presently suing the Town of Richmond and the 12 individual members of the planning and zoning boards for $7.25 MILLION. I run a blog devoted solely to the current lawsuits: www.sbcwatch.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHello Hump,
ReplyDeleteI served in the Navy and have ceremoniously folded the flag many times. This religious fabrication as of the meaning to the proper procedure is a load of crap. I am very offended that the uber religious have interjected their nihilistic desires into this respectful ceremony.
I wonder how many who would infuse religion into this secuar ritual have actually served in any branch of service. Not many I would venture to guess.
sbctracker:
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow New Hampshirite (albeit, on the other side of the state) I am aware of this crazy Catholic cult.
I'll check into your website and stay abreast of the situation. Thanks for your efforts, and nice comments about my book.
Engineer,
I read somewhere that some Navy chaplain is credited for this religious flag folding bullshit. The military has become a hotbed of Christian proselytizing and fanaticism, so it wouldn't surprise me if it were true.
Hump
sbctracker, the Saint Benedict Center (SBC) in Richmond NH sounds like a terrifying nightmare. Has their stances on the issues been made public? Where can I find out more on them and what the press has published?
ReplyDeleteHump, where is this bogus flag folding service being held and when? Maybe a bunch of protesters showing up to set them straight (along with press coverage) is needed.
sbctracker - Sounds like the cult that Mel Gibson is part of...
ReplyDeleteNewEnglandBob - How would one go about protesting this flag service without coming off like a whacko member of Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church member at a funeral?
- Fastthumbs
Laugh and the world will laugh with you, Hump...
ReplyDeleteThis flag business is tripe and it certainly is the laughable variety.
NEBob,
ReplyDeleteIt's in Keene NH. But I agree with Fastthumbs. Making a public display about it at a Catholic church isn't the way to approach it.
I sent in my letter (a refined version of my blog posting) to the Keene Sentinel newspaper. They print everything I send them.
I'll let that speak for us the thinking.
OK, I see now that it is at a Catholic church. I thought it was at a Veteran's cemetery. They already do all kinds of stupid woo at their church. One more pile of nonsense would not even be noticeable.
ReplyDeleteDoc, NE Bob;
ReplyDeleteAgreed, it's laughable, and its just more nonsense within a Chruch.
But I can't just laugh at it, nor can I ignore it.
These things don't typically confine themselves to churches. They tend to take on a life of their own and become part of generally accepted lore if we don't take a stand. It is already being sanctioned by the VFW of Keene who is co sponsering the event at the Chruch. Where will it go from there?
We don't need to have the symbol of our country in any way become "religionized" by the majority religion. Being silent on the matter would be condoning it. Hence my blog, and my letter to the editor.
Hump
The sad thing is that there are so many xtians out there who actually believe this tripe.
ReplyDeleteKeep a spotlight on then so they're seen for the idiots they are.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rachelle. Let's make an issue of this by "spotlighting" its self righteousness.
ReplyDeleteThis nonsense comes completely out of the blue and its story of religiously motivated self-promotion ought to be told again and again.
Let's Twitter and re-blog this thing until the cows come home.
It's even laughable enough to cartoon it.
Doc (http://CommonSensePlus.blogspot/)
I just cancelled my subscription to the Keene Sentinel. Why? Mr Eugene Delalla. He is a right -wing religious zealot. He writes and the Sentinel publishes his letters every 2 weeks. One of his latest letters was stating that "god" gave Ted Kennedy brain cancer to punish him for his voting record in Congress. I was so mad that I figured it was time to "out" him. I wrote a letter to the Sentinel where I informed the readers that Mr. Delalla was a 3rd order member of the Saint Benedict Center (SBC) and his wife , who also submits letters to the paper, is a teacher at the SBC's Immaculate Heart of Mary School. The editor refused to print it. He wrote me back saying it wasn't relevant. I wrote him back cancelling my subscription.
ReplyDeleteLOL... How in the world would Mr Eugene Delalla or his wife (or anyone at all) have any clear notion of what "God" does and why?
ReplyDeleteIf Mr Delalla has such a clear channel receiving device tuned in to "God's" wavelength, should he have been made Pope by now?
What he's said is hateful Christian nonsense... Plain, simple and utterly disgusting.
Sbctracker...
ReplyDeleteYes, I've seen that nut jobs letters in the Sentinel before, and responded to them from time to time (the Sentinel likes me :)
If you cancel your subscription you'll miss my letter from this blog :(
Need to cage your retorts to dissecting the fallacy, staying on point, without attacking the asshat directly.
I know those clowns are frustrating. For a non-religious state we sure have our share of letter writing theist whackjobs.
Hang tough.
Hump, I just learned that (1) the American Legion is advocating these supposed meanings for the ceremony (2) the legion is taking this into public schools as part of their respect-the-flag campaign [which I otherwise applaud], and (3) that the legion is chartered by congress. I don't know what that means, in a legal technical sense. However, it does sort of make me wish I were a veteran (I'm not) so I could join the legion and then oppose that policy and these practices. I hope you or your veteran compatriots will challenge the legion. In some news comments I suggested you get ahold of that Mike Newdow guy in California. His website is "Restore the Pledge" http://www.restorethepledge.com/
ReplyDeleteand he answers pretty quick to emails posted thru that site.
Go get 'em. Seems like a group chartered by congress should have to live by the same rules, including the First Amendment.
NubisPertusus.wordpress.com
Thanks, nubis...
ReplyDeleteI was a member of the Amer. Legion, until I resigned about two years ago because of the washington office's absurd defense of a cross on public property and equating the cross with a "symbol of our nation." My letter of protest to the general offices went unanswered.
While they are chartered by congress, the AL acts independently. Unfortunately, their promotion of religion, specifically christianity, is becoming more engrained. This isn't true with the local NH posts, but if the headqtrs promotes it as far as I am concerned they are a quasi-religious organization now.
My local post is down to 8 fine old guys from korea and WW2. I still attend their funerals (as a civilian) as they pass one by one, and they understand why I resigned with no hard feelings. It's a shame the orgaization has come to this.
I'll check out that site. Thanks!
Hump
Nubi
ReplyDeleteJust a little FYI. If your father or either of your grandfathers are Vets, you can join the Sons of the American Legion and attend that way. I did a few years ago. I have never felt any pressure from religious loonies, but I have to agree with Hump. It seems as if they are becoming a pseudo religious organization and my membership will not be renewed.
zar
Nubi, Zar...
ReplyDeleteI received this in an email from Holey Hands today. It's about the American Legion's latest religious craziness.
http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2009/11/american_legion_post_holds_stu.php
I wouldn't join that organization again on a bet, until all the old fools who equate religion with patriotism are dead. That will be in about 10 years.
Hello Hump,
ReplyDeleteI think that you will like my new posting on Carrie Prejean's Faith Friendly Boobs on my site, EngineerofKnowledge. You will also love the picture.
Yes you heard me correctly, Carrie Prejean said that “I don't think there's anything wrong with getting breast implants as a Christian . . . I don't see anywhere in the Bible where it says you shouldn't get breast implants.”
God Bless Silicon!!
The separation between church and state has been fought for in too many ways and there are too many graves for us to let this atrocity continue.
ReplyDeleteJust because the New World was a refuge for those escaping tyranny in the Old doesn't mean that the US of A can be held hostage by these fruitcakes. Our country doesn't belong to THEM. It belongs to US. All of us. And should be representational of all of us.
sbctracker, I am so sorry to hear about this struggle occurring in Richmond.
Hump, I am printing out this blog article of yours and plan to discuss it with my two children to help explain the separation between church and state. They were pretty confused why I flipped out about the Turkey Box/Church Advertisement in their school folders last month. I think this information you've provided will help me tremendously in explaining constitutional rights to my two sons.
Thank you so much!!