Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

Do you think that the US should fly our flags at half-staff for the death of an important religious figure? Or does this violate the seperation of church and state?

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

I don't see a problem with it as long as it is done for all religions and not just one imparticular.

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

---

Posted by Boop2704

I don't see a problem with it as long as it is done for all religions and not just one imparticular.

---

I agree

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

Legion

Here is what the legion says about it

Q: What is the significance of displaying the flag at half-staff?

A: This gesture is a sign to indicate the nation mourns the death of an individual(s), such as death of the President or former President, Vice President, Supreme Court Justice, member of Congress, Secretary of an executive or military department, etc. Only the President of the United States or the Governor of the State may order the flag to be half-staffed. The honor and reverence accorded this solemn act is quickly becoming eroded by those individuals and agencies that display the flag at half-staff on inappropriate occasions without proper authority to do so.


Being that the Pope was not an elected official in the US and not American, I don't see why we should fly it half staff.

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

I agree too, and the Pope was a worldwide figure - it's respectful.

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

---

Posted by shorty the pumpkin

I agree too, and the Pope was a worldwide figure - it's respectful.

---

Than that would then open up arguement for why it wasn't flown for other 'popular' and respected figures...like, Mother Theresa, Princess Diana, Prince Ranier, Mahatma Ghandi, and leaders of other nations that pass... I figure that we should stick the American Legion's guidelines...

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

Normally I would agree with you Deb, but in the case of this Pope he reached out to everyone, Christians, Catholics, Jews and Muslems. He traveled the world and reached out to everyone. I think that he was respected by the majority of the world and the act of respect in this case is warranted. If he had not done those things and reached out passed his religion and then I would agree with you.

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

Well, the Pope is not just a religious figure, he's a Head of State. Maybe that's why they did it.

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

---

Posted by lilmrs

---

Posted by shorty the pumpkin

I agree too, and the Pope was a worldwide figure - it's respectful.

---

Than that would then open up arguement for why it wasn't flown for other 'popular' and respected figures...like, Mother Theresa, Princess Diana, Prince Ranier, Mahatma Ghandi, and leaders of other nations that pass... I figure that we should stick the American Legion's guidelines...

---

It wasn't done for Mother Theresa??? Really now that is sad on our part IMO.

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

as a matter of respect, i think it should be done

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

As if things needed spicing up..but I'll play..

I think its more of a respect thing, most prominent religious figures have leant themselves to politics in some fashion anyway , therefore tying religion and state together already. I think the flag should be lowered for all major relgious leaders who pass be it Catholic/Jewish/Muslim what have you..

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

Just for the record...I don't feel one way or the other about this issue.
Just thought it would be something to get the boards moving.

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

I definitely understand you Deb, but I think it's cool when I pass the big car dealer on Sunrise in Sayville and I see the flag flying at half mass. It's sort of a respect thing. Doesn't the prez dictate when it should be lowered? Maybe the prior Presidents didn't think it was necessary?

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

Deb, you're being what my grandma would call a 'scootch'

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

---

Posted by shorty the pumpkin

Deb, you're being what my grandma would call a 'scootch'

---

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

---

Posted by shorty the pumpkin

Deb, you're being what my grandma would call a 'scootch'

---

my mother used to call me that

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

Pope John Paul was instrumental in bringing down the tyranny of Communist Russia, and for the part he played in opposing its evils, he deserves to be honored by all freedom loving peoples, regardless of religious affiliation.

Mother Theresa was not the spiritual leader of a large percentage of our people. The Pope is the recognized head of the largest church in the world... 17% of the entire Earth's population. That makes him a world leader on par with any other head of state.

ETA: Plus, the Vatican is recognized as a sovereign city state. That makes him a foreign dignitary.
And I will add that the flag was flown at half mast for Martin Luther King Jr., which was not in accordance with the law.

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

yes i think the flags should be flown half staff

there is separation of church and state..
but he was an important world figure...
who deserves the respect and recognition..he was more than a religious figure IMO

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

---

Posted by nov04LIbride

Pope John Paul was instrumental in bringing down the tyranny of Communist Russia, and for the part he played in opposing its evils, he deserves to be honored by all freedom loving peoples, regardless of religious affiliation.

Mother Theresa was not the spiritual leader of a large percentage of our people. The Pope is the recognized head of the largest church in the world... 17% of the entire Earth's population. That makes him a world leader on par with any other head of state.

ETA: Plus, the Vatican is recognized as a sovereign city state. That makes him a foreign dignitary.
And I will add that the flag was flown at half mast for Martin Luther King Jr., which was not in accordance with the law.

---

Good points.

Re: Let's spice things up...a friendly debate

I think it's defintiely appropriate to fly flags at half staff. Pope John Paul II was an essental figure on the world stage. He's not only the spiritual leader for over 1 billion people worldwide, but he also reached out to many groups, helped keep tyrannical communism out of Europe, and reched out to ALL people. Saying he is a man who deserves honor has nothing to do with religion.

if we flew tha flag at ha;lf mast every good friday or something to commemorate the death of Jesus, or to commemorate the death of that man those people in crown heights thought was the messiah for example, that would be different. I'm not saying that Jesus and the Crown Heights ma (sorry I don't remember his name) were not good people, but to fly the flag for jesus so many years after his death would be bizairre, and the crown heights man was not a player on the world stage int eh same way john paul II was. Also he is a head of state.