quote:
Originally posted by Michael:
I'm sorry Rufus, but I have to question your point. Being in Australia, our national identity is pretty much founded completely on the legend of WW1 and the ANZAC troops that fought at Gallipolli. The mission was a failure, but we respect those men for their fighting spirit and their courage. Those are the ideals that make us (Australia) proud of them, not the fact that they fought under a blue flag with the union jack on it and a whole buncha stars...
To me, a flag is nothing but a piece of cloth. The spirit of a nation isn't held within a flag, nor is a flag some sacred artefact. People that go to war fight to preserve the way of life that they believe is right, not to defend a flag...
At least, in my 17 year old Australian opinion that's how things work...
Sure it is just a piece of cloth, but to many people, especially those people who have fought in the armed forces like myself, it's a symbol of what we are fighting for. A crucifix is just two pieces of wood at perpendicular angles, but to a Christian, it represents the ideals of their faith. Same goes for the Star of David or any other symbol. Sure, they may just be pieces of cloth or wood that may not mean anything to some, but to others, it's sums up all the ideals they believe in. If somebody wants to desicrate those symbols because they think it's the cool thing to do, then fine. They have that right, and I won't stop them. It'll just prove to me, instead of how "cool" they are, how ignorant they really are.
Everybody in the world has some kind of faith in something, and they have a symbol that represents their faith. It may not religious or political, but it may be something along emotional lines such as family or friends. These symbols represent what you are and are very important to you. I'm sure you would do everything in your power to safeguard these symbols and ask that people please respect them. If you want people to do this, please remember you have to reciprocate in kind.
