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I probably never quit my native condition as a non religious being. I was often amazed or annoyed by the strange attitude of religous believers towards symbols. But there also atheists who have a weird attitude toward pieces of fabric when national flags are printed on them. I think bowing to any inanimate object is an irrational act.

I just put this statute of some Chinese deity up. This dude still looked fierce despite having been dumped next to a pile of trash.

PontifexMarximus 8 May 8
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There must be some innate need in some people to worship something. Even before I saw the light (escaped religion) I couldn't understand the idea of flag worship.It really got me going when laws were proposed to make disrespecting the flag a crime. We have a local historical society/museum. In one picture from the early 20th century is a picture of a celebration picnic. In the picture is a guy holding a flag and actually standing on part of it. I always point that out to visitors to see their reaction.

Not so long ago I read that the supreme insult between countries hanging a flag upside down. The Swiss don't give a shit ... There flag is square and symmetrical.

@PontifexMarximus I wonder what would happen if one of our shallow politicians would make a mistake and display the silly lapel in upside down? I recently saw a flagpole with the American flag not upside down but sideways. That was something new.

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I like your warrior/deity dude!
I hope someone scoops him up before the garbage men. He would make a nice addition to a garden.
I agree with your thoughts in symbols, but I think some can serve to remind us ... I wear and Ankh (used to wear a Kokopelli) these are (semi) religious symbols (certainly symbols of beliefs).
I wear then because a) I like them, and b) they remind me of what's important to me...
When things get screwy, I'm reminded that my family and friends are always there for me, and that's what's important and it keeps me going.
It's like a little post-it note.

$€£¥&@ I understand our addiction to symbols... I sitll have my first wedding ring somewhere. I refused the religious part but I still accepted the idea of the ring. Supposedly wedding rings are magic, they make married people invisible to predators ... what a bs ... I pitied that poor warrior amongst the trash. Almost wanted to catch a cab to take him home. He was calling out for help ... his divine or magic powers had abandoned him. it was an absurde scene ... for other reaons too

@PontifexMarximus Poor little lost warrior. I'm not sure it's rational to pity him - being that he's an inanimate object and not even really a "him". But I do... I hope someone gave him a new home and new meaning. 🙂
So wedding rings make us invisible?? Hmm - I've never heard that before. I always thought the joke was that it made people more desirable.
Ah well - we're all attached to something or other and symbols are all around us - no getting away from them. 🙂

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Perhaps dumped by another new atheist ?

Perhaps the local corrupt politicians had to get rid of him because the inspector from Beijing were coming.

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I would posit it is beyond symbolism. Patriotism/nationalism and religion are basically the same thing. Nonsense used by the powers that be to stir up the rabble into joining whatever the war de jour is.

Exactly ... Unilateral loyalties ... We get indoctrinated from an early age. I was lucky to grow up in a country that had not just lost one war but two world wars. Flags were rarely to be seen. No national anthem unless there was a state visit. The old Nazis in the administration kept a low profile. And we had to read Schiller's William Tell at school. To see national flags on display we had to cross a border into Switzerland or France: flags and symbols galore. Then I was drafted into the navy. I told them that I was not really cut out to kill people; bastards refused my resignation. When I crossed some officer in the stair case and greeted him with a friendly good morning, he appeared to be dissatisfied. It took me 63 days, well I was only present for 28, to get out. I had told them that we were not entering a happy relationship.

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Oddly enough I have found a religious saying that addresses this. It's the Zen Buddhist statement about how it leads to enlightenment. "It is a finger pointing towards the Moon, but don't get the finger and the Moon confused." It always hits me that people having a hissy fit over someone "desecrating" the flag is confusing the finger for the Moon. There are lots of examples of similar things out there.

I wanted to invite people to a flag burning ceremony and give them dual flags e.g. ISIS/US, France/Syria, Here a thing is totals with the national flag ... I often wonder how people react to someone wiping their bottom with it? Probably zero reaction because it's just a towel. ly human primates confuse me, even irritate me. Unfortunately it's getting worse with age.

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Spot on! Maybe it is some kind of human condition to revere something. Our national anthem has always bothered me. I would rather have America the Beautiful as the anthem but even that has to mention god. Separation of church and state is just smoke and mirrors

A few years back I was watching some very minor basket ball game. There weren't many spectators but the few all got up when the national anthem was played. I never get up for this nonsense. Suddenly I saw the tv cameras filming me. I just gave them a little jovial wave. Perhaps they passed the footage on to ASIO (CIA equivalent) ...
In France (Liberte ... Blablabla ) I almost got arrested for saluting the flag with a bra d'honneur ..

I get up for a woman that enters a room. I have to think about that!!!

Yes, that would be a better choice except for the reference. I think we should have stayed with " Save the Queen/King" (My 'Tis of Thee). When I worked for a public Broadcasting station in the Sixties, for a time I convinced the program manager to use the one I am posting as their closing. It didn't last but I thought it a good idea.

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Couldn't agree with you more !

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