I'm not against patriotism but it has nothing to do with the Bible or biblical standards
So you think, let me prove you wrong with Scripture:
Romans 13:1-10 (HCSB)
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1 [/SUP]
Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for
there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God.
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2 [/SUP] So then,
the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.
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3 [/SUP] For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval.
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4 [/SUP] For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.
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5 [/SUP] Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience.
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6 [/SUP] And for this reason you pay taxes, since the ⌊authorities⌋ are God’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks.
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7 [/SUP] Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls,
respect to those you owe respect, and
honor to those you owe honor.
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8 [/SUP] Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
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9 [/SUP] The commandments: Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not covet; and whatever other commandment—all are summed up by this: Love your neighbor as yourself.
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10 [/SUP] Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.
THAT IS PATRIOTISM: We were TAUGHT IN Military Basic Training that you RESPECT THE POSITION, even when you do not like the Person in that Position. When the Commander in Chief they play the song here in the USA, "Hail to the Chief". All Military are to come to Attention BEFORE the 5th note; even if they do not personally like who is President. I got out of the USAF in Dec 1972. I still come to ATTENTION every time I hear "HAIL TO THE CHIEF" being played, even when I am alone in my Living Room, no matter WHO is the President. YES that means I did stand at attention every time for President Obama, even though I think he was the WORST President we ever had. I STAND AND HONOR THE POSITION EVERY TIME. IT IS GOD'S WILL.
1 Peter 2:13-17 (NKJV)
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13 [/SUP]
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme,
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14 [/SUP] or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and
for the praise of those who do good.
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15 [/SUP]
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--
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16 [/SUP] as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
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17 [/SUP] Honor all
people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
THAT IS PATRIOTISM: We were TAUGHT IN Military Basic Training and in GRADE SCHOOL what the Proper Etiquette towards Our FLAG IS. Our School Teachers did a great disservice to GOD and County when they Stopped doing that. THE FOLLOWING IS THE ORDINANCE OF MAN THAT GOVERNS THE PROPER ETIQUETTE TOWARDS THE U.S. FLAG. EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO WILLFULLY SHOWS DISRESPECT FOR THE FLAG SINS AGAINST THE WILL OF GOD.
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, . . .
For this is the will of God
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Flag Etiquette[/h]
STANDARDS of RESPECT The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:
- The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
- The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
- The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
- The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
- The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
- The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Many Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Girl Scout Troops retire flags regularly as well. Contact your local American Legion Hall or Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service.
Displaying the Flag Outdoors When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.
When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.
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The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
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No other flag ever should be placed above it.
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The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.
When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size.
They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.
Raising and Lowering the Flag The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.
Displaying the Flag Indoors When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.
The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.
When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.
When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.
Parading and Saluting the Flag When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right.
When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.
The Salute To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.
The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.
When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.
The Flag in Mourning To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.
The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.
When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.
Every single one of those Football Players that took a knee during the National Anthem and ANYONE ELSE who disrespects the FLAG in any way, SINNED AGAINST GOD's WILL,
1 Peter 2:13-17 (NKJV).
