Why do some people think it's okay to burn a christian cross but wrong to burn an american flag?
921260
When exactly have liberals been burning the flag in say the last two decades? They haven't.  Personally, I don't care if you light one with the other.  They are symbols nothing more and nothing less.
823948
As I understand it, yes it does, if said action is being used as an expression of opinion and harms/risks no one.\n\nIt's disrespectful, true; but on the other hand, the US of A is not a flag---it's a history and a people, and most importantly, a system of governance that was originally intended to grow with society while still preserving basic freedoms and rights. A flag is merely a symbol, that many people see in different ways (see opinions on the Confederate Battle Flag, for example). What really matters is that our laws preserve our freedoms and support our rights---as the founding fathers intended. I worry far more when a law is implimented that violates those rights, than when some yo-yo burns a flag for the tv cameras. One of them results in a pile of soot and a lot of hoo-ha... the other directly affects my rights and freedoms as a citizen.
1000097
One of the great things about the USA is our tolerance of dissent.  If people disapprove of something the US is doing, be it war or raising the age for social security, the people are free to protest, to clearly and loudly express their displeasure.  If they want to hang the prez in effigy, they are free to do so.  \nThe problem with the flag burning amendment is that it confuses the United States with the symbol of the United States.  The flag is only a symbol.  Factories produce them by the thousands and an attack on a symbol is itself symbolic.  Furthermore, the proposed laws would be impractical and unenforceable.  How would you distinguish between the protester that you want to stop and the careless person who simply doesn't show the respect for the symbol?\nAs for me, I have proudly served in the U.S. military and I like to think that I contributed to protecting the rights of all Americans, including those I despise.  Still, when it comes time to pledge allegiance to the flag, I stand silent.  I have and will again pledge my allegiance to the United States but I find it stupid and dangerous to pledge my allegiance to the flag of the United States.
1145243
No it's not.  First of all, it is the only proper way to destroy a flag as taught in the military, the boy scouts, etc.  Secondly, the first amendment protects our speech, so any amendment to ban it is obviously unconstitutional.\n\nObviously, this is an emotional issue, but people have to re-learn to respect freedom in this country.  I may not agree with what the KKK says, but their right to say it is protected by law.  A constitutional amendment to ban it is simply fascist in nature.
467530
No, there should be no penalty for these actions.  It is the fundamental freedom of all Americans to do what they will in protest short of wanton destruction of other's property and inhibition of another's freedom of movement.\n\nIf we penalize someone for flying a flag upside down or beneath another nation's flag, we are lessening our freedom and that is, ultimately, what the USA flag represents: FREEDOM.\n\nDo I approve?  No, I do not.  Will I fight to the death for their right to desecrate a USA flag?  Yes, I will.  The reason I feel this way is based on my belief that we, above all nations, must always, always, always protect freedom above else.  It is what we are, who we are, why we are.  And it is not optional.  Anyone who would lodge a penalty against someone for expressing themselves with a piece of cloth (even if that cloth is an American flag) is not a true and loyal American, but a pseudo-patriot who puts more value on woven material than freedom.\n\nIt isn't disrespect for the nation to do it although it is quite childish and makes no sense.  It is disrespect for freedom to stop it, though.\n\nBy the way, flying a flag upside down is not disrespect, it is a universal sign of distress.  If those students think they were doing something disrespectful they were not only being ridiculous they were being ignorant.
543295
I am a practicing Pagan.  \n\nThere is nothing wrong with Christians, I have some great friends that are wonderful Christians.  Everyone has the right to worship as they see fit, it is called free will, and one of our rights as Americans.  \n\nJust remember that what you put out you get back, so if you feel that Christians are stupid to believe in their theologies, then you will only get back in your life people that believe you are stupid for believing what you do.
1165398
I am a Christian as well but I honestly dont see anything wrong with it. If two people love each other they should eb able to express it how they please, no matter what the orientation or preference is.
1003376
Just another scapegoat to blame society's problems on, and a way to divide people. There is a massive misconception in the US today that this is a "Christian" nation and that certain people/behaviors should be condemned. Funny thing, historically speaking every time a single religion comes to power that nations folds in on itself.
135435
There have been hundreds, thousands of caricatures about god, jesus and the pope.  Do you see christians jumping around waving banners about killing people and going to war over it?  Do we go around burning the flag of the nation this drawing originally was printed in?\n\nYou want disgusting, look at the way these people reacted over a DRAWING for goodness sakes.  Not saying it was right to print the drawing but come on get abit of bloody perspective.  Human freedom of belief?  What about the artists human rights?  I would say that the reaction to the cartoon did more to damage my views of the islamic community then the picture would ever of done.
1052154
I guess they should change the law and not allow to burn the flag, I know its considered freedom of speech, but at the same time, burning the flag seems to have the equal value of a hate crime, and hate crimes are not allowed, so why allow to burn the flag??
93606
No, I don't belive so, because as a free country, citicens should be able to do what they want, and protest however they wish, so long as it brings no physical harm to others. However, be it Austrailia, U.S.A. (my home), U.K., or any other free nation, it is truely sad for flags to be burned, and kind of counter productive, as they are using the freedoms of that country to burn the flag (irony?). If I were Austrailian, and saw somone burning an Austrailian flag, I would protest by raising mine higher.\n\nBottom Line...\nPeople should have the right to protest as they please, be it flag burners, or FLAG WAVERS!\n\nGreetings from the states!
709213
Sorry, there are no authorities about this.\nThere are only opinions based on religion.\nAnd oddly, the religious differ a great deal.\nI've seen hard line conservative Christians say that it was OK, and I've seen very liberal Christians say no way.\nSame with Jews.\nFor me, I have some gay friends, some lesbian friends, and what \nwhat they do has no effect on me.\nLive and let live, as it should say in the Bible.
1124793
it should only be burned if it touches the ground... our flag represents everything our country stands for, everything our soldiers have ever fought for, and should be held in the highest respect...free speech  has nothing to do with desecrating and disrespecting  a  symbol of our country and way of life,    just like it has nothing to do with yelling "fire" in a crowded theater when there is no fire....  there are plenty of other ways to get your  point across/ express your views with out doing that......  if you hate this country enough to burn her flag... perhaps you are living in the wrong country...
126685
it ought to be against the law:  people who try to impose their beliefs on others.  this is one of the reasons i am not what you would call a 'good catholic' any more:  i disagree with the idea that the church should dictate what my beliefs on abortion and the salvation of other denominations is or should be.  also, i dislike friends telling others that they 'ought to' believe in a certain cause or idea.  this is common in the adolescent years ('we don't hang out with kids from that neighborhood... so if you want to be with us, you can't either') but can continue into adulthood... my favorite example lately is the auto manufacturer (can't remember if it was GM or ford) who made employees who drove other makes of cars park in the lot across the road from the factory... it would be outrageous if it weren't so petty too.\n\nit's just presumptuous to think that someone else should tell me (or anyone) how to feel about an issue.  you can tell me what to do if you are in authority, but do not tell me what to think. this behavior should be outlawed.
178539
Your question is follwed by a statement thus making your question rhetorical more than inquisitive.  So my answer is more commentary than informative.  So here goes.  First off I have never met someone who is fanatical about Jesus who was a legalist.  It seems that people that are on fire for Jesus are typicly focused on Christ and not the law.  I have noticed that Christians who aren't on fire for Jesus want to argue abou inane moot points of contention that really don't matter.  Yes there are many in the Body who are "bewitched", "Childish", and often "Carnal".  However is it not prideful to be full of judgement for others?  Are we not attempting to take the place of Christ when we judge others versus spending time in prayer for them? Should we not remove the plank from our own eye before trying to remove the fleck from our brothers eye as Jesus instructed us?  Anyway if you respond to this answer I will not counter.  I would rather spend my time making a difference in people's life versus just criticising them.
525066
In my opinion, these types of things happen because we as Christians do not stand up for the rights that the founders of America gave us.  We get mad and complain to people around us, but we do nothing on a big scale to fight against it.  America was founded on religious freedom:  the freedom to worship the god of our choice in the manner in which we choose.  There is no national religion because of this.  I'm not trying to tell everyone that they should worship the way I do, but they should allow me to worship God the way I want.  Posting the Ten Commandments somewhere doesn't force a person to read it.  "One nation under God" does not force a person to say it.  Christians need to start fighting for our rights as much as the ACLU and other groups fight for what they deem to be the rights of any other group.
729845
I guess it is because religion influences other parts of people's lifes outside of just when they go to church. Can you really expect it not to?\n\nEdit: And it is too bad everybody thinks that you are attacking them. I agree that a lot of people here are just too jumpy.\n\nAlso, I don't think it is fair to ask if we still have freedom in this country. First of all, this is the internet, and people from all different countries are on here, but more importantly, second of all, it is also that freedom we have that gives us the right to talk about god where we want to.\n\nEdit: Well with your rephrased question, I now have to agree with you 100%. We Christians are too judgmental of other people's beliefs, and I am just as guilty of it as anybody else. God tells us not to judge other people, and that is up to him. I guess us Christians are pretty hypocritical sometimes. I am sure that other people aren't going to want to read that, but it is true, so I am saying it none the less.