Friday, September 12, 2014

RELIGIOUS US FLAG CEREMONY

Within the Air Force a chaplain wrote steps to a flag ceremony in the 1980s.  It is unofficial but it spread nation-wide, especially among the American Legion.  Another member in more recent times insisted that such bigotry be abolished from the instructions of this armed service flag ritual.  However, even recent traditions die slowly.

Dear Ones,

Despite the urgent need to keep church and state separate, several ceremonial flag folds reflect the Judeo-Christian influence still manifest in the United States military. One fold honors "the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death," such as Jesus of Nazareth in Syria where the great prophet walked on the Damascus Road.

Another fold "in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, presents the lower portion of  the seal of King David and  King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and  Jacob."

Several folds include "in God we trust" what was added to the Pledge of Allegiance by a clerical member of Congress in the 1950s.  It is a wonder some zealot in power doesn't suggest adding the same-across- the-board term to death certificates to make sure the deceased get into a man-made heaven.

The final fold stands for the Christian Trinity–"the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost"–as the flag  graphically depicts the Celtic triquetra, a "holy triangle."  Even the Revolutionary tri-cornered hat is styled in the form of a triangle resembling this religious symbol. This was prior to the formation of the new government.

Early colonists formed many religious blue laws that are still on the books today.  One forbade a man driving a noisy, rickety goat cart to pass in front of a church during service hours.  God help us.!

Mame
helenesmith1.blog spot.com
Reminder: September 21,  day of international peace for home, community and nation