Meaning of Flag Draped Coffin

Propaganda is this font. Commentary is this font

I get a fair amount of patriotic propaganda that includes appeals from a religious/statist perspective. Often, the propagators claim that the US is some sort of exceptional nation-state for which normal rules of skeptical regard toward governments ought not apply. If they don't make this claim outright, they trust the reader to have incorporated the claim into his thinking.

One such piece purports to instruct readers in the meaning of folding a flag. It uses loaded words that are meant to evoke a positive emotive response, predisposing the reader to regard service to the state as a virtue superior to service to his own best interests. Take a look at this piece:

All Americans should be given this lesson. Those who think that America is an arrogant nation should really reconsider that thought. Our founding fathers used GOD's word and teachings to establish our Great Nation and I think it's high time Americans get reeducated about this Nation's history. Pass it along and be proud of the country we live in and even more proud of those who serve to protect our 'GOD GIVEN' rights and freedoms. To understand what the flag draped coffin really means...... Here is how to understand the flag that laid upon it and is surrendered to so many widows and widowers. Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776? Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day! The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life. The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life. The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world. The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance. The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, 'Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.' The 6th fold is for where people's hearts lie. It is with their heart that They pledge allegiance to   the flag of the United States Of America, and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic. The 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 day. The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded. The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born. The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their nations motto, 'In God We Trust.' After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today. There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. In the future, you'll see flags folded and now you will know why. Share this with the children you love and all others who love what is referred to, the symbol of ' Liberty and Freedom.'  MAYBE THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD READ THIS EXPLANATION BEFORE THEY RENDER THEIR DECISION ON THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. FORWARD IT; MAYBE SOMEONE WITH THE NECESSARY POWER, OR POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL INFLUENCE, WILL GET IT TO THEM. IN THE MEANTIME, MAY GOD PROTECT US ALWAYS. ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. 'In God We Trust' This propaganda is all about flag worship. I checked Snopes :http://www.snopes.com/military/flagfold.asp. I checked TruthorFiction:http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/f/foldsoftheflag.htm

This is a lie. Obedience to, allegiance to, or regard for a man-made article is idolatry. The pledge was developed by a self-avowed national socialist by the name of Francis Bellamy in 1892 to indoctrinate children into believing that service to the state is a virtue, and to persuade people that something called the Nation supported such flag worship. All governments are intrinsically evil. They are developed by people who are wicked. They are used by the wicked to rule the wicked. So-called Christians who promote flag worship will answer to their saviour.

Here is a response:

"I don't believe anyone is promoting WORSHIP of the flag - but a definite reverence for the GOODNESS it symbolizes. I cannot disagree more with the statement that all governments and the people who create them are"wicked" and/or "evil." Our founding fathers were good and decent men who fought to throw off the shackles of tyranny and allow men to live free - as God intended. It is easy to be cynical about government. It takes more effort, thought, faith, and strength to actually believe in and participate and continue to keep our country a shining beacon for the world. To suggest one cannot be a good Christian and still say the pledge of allegiance or be a good American is...well......fanatical. And dangerous. I don't know who Doc Ellis is, but I'd appreciate being taken off of this email group."

This was my reply:
A real Christian understands that people are wicked out the gate.

• By the Bible, there are no good and decent men.
• By the Bible, people would rather believe lies than face the truth of their own nature, or that of those who lived before.
• By the Bible, what men regard as good, God regards as evil.

God intended that his people revere him of their own free will. If they would rather pledge allegiance to a symbol, they have that right to do so.

You know who I am.

I stand by what I wrote: The pledge is a lie. Veneration of the american flag is idolatry. So-called Christians who promote flag worship will answer to their lord.

Here are comments by the gal that sent this propaganda to me:

"please do not email your views to people on my email list, I sent you that thing on the flag and I don't appreciate you using my list of email addresses to voice your views, if you want to send them to me that's fine please leave my other friends off your email returns. by the way that had NOTHING to do with worship. I don't worship the flag, I'm proud to be an American, and our forefathers fought against tyranny. no where in the Bible does it say you can not love your country or not to protect it from others. this nation was founded on scripture and christian principals and it is not a sin to pledge allegiance to things that are Godly or concepts that are based on scripture"

And my reply:

The problem is that there is no Biblical authority for allegiance to the state. Your kingdom, and your concerns, are not of this world. You are only called to preach the gospel, not to defend or advance worldly concerns. You are directed to focus on advancing God's agenda, not those agendas of men. There are no indications in the Bible that church and state should work together.

Please note: Satan operates by leading you to believe that what you are doing is right. God tells folks that they are wrong. In the Bible, kings are almost always bad guys. In American history, presidents are good guys.

I regard fighting tyranny as a good thing. God may regard fighting tyranny as an usurpation of his own order. You are correct that the Bible does not prohibit loving your country. Nor does the Bible prohibit me from labeling love of country as a form of national socialism. Now, you know that I can back up what I believe. So far, not one person has provided a rational rebuttal to my views. I think that the fact that several folks have whined about my views and have asked not to get them is a very strong indication that I am on the right path in denouncing the views in pro-state propaganda.

My friend's response:

"it's really amazing that you have admitted to not believing in Christ but yet you find it necessary to tell those of us that do how to live our lives, you are not an authority on how christians should live and you have no business telling us how to live. just because the Bible does not come out and say not to do something does not mean we can't. the Bible says nothing about smoking, but yet most christians feel that it is wrong. we have to care about our freedoms and our country in order to keep our right to worship as we please. and just to remind you King David and Solomon were some of the most holy and honest men to ever rule a people or country and they were both "hand picked" by God. And Jesus Christ will return and rule as King. and the Bible makes it very clear that we are to give to God what is God's and what is Caesar's give to Caesar. the Bible is also very clear that we are to obey those in authority over us because ALL our rulers, kings, presidents or whatever are there because God allows them to be there. If you don't like this country why don't you pack up and go live somewhere else and see how long you remain a free person for voicing your anti-goverment nonsense. you sure enjoy the rights this country and goverment allow you to have but yet you whine and complain about how bad it is.....the only person I've heard whining lately is you"

So far, no one has managed to make a case that reverence for a flag is a good thing. In fact, one promoter of flag reverence claims that government or a metaphysical nonentity (“this country”) grants to you your right to act, and your life belongs to the state (Caesar), not to God or to yourself.


update 24 Sep 2009 http://www.banned-books.com/truth-seeker/1994archive/121_5/ts215b.html  "The Gold Fringed Flag", by Bohren, 1994  The fringe on U S flag denotes that the area over which it flies is under the command of U S President or U S Military.  


http://scmla.wordpress.com/2009/09/09/history-of-the-us-civil-flag/  "History of the US Civil Flag"
So Cal Martial Law Alerts, 9 Sep 2009   A discussion of civil vs military flags.