Burning flags - Why does people get upset?

[FuxieDK]

From time to time, we see radical people, primarily in the middle east, burn flags..
Very often, it's Stars and Stripes (even when they are not protesting against anything regarding USA), but Union Jack and Dannebrog (probably more) have also fallen victim to this..

Sometimes you see reaction of anger over these flag burnings.. BUT WHY?

Burning is, after all, the PROPER WAY of disposing a flag. When you have a flag you no longer want or it's damages from wear and tear on the flag pole, you either burn it yourself or you put it in the trash and it will be burt at you local waste disposal incinery (spelling?).

So, why the fuss?

[obdigore]

From time to time, we see radical people, primarily in the middle east, burn flags..
Very often, it's Stars and Stripes (even when they are not protesting against anything regarding USA), but Union Jack and Dannebrog (probably more) have also fallen victim to this..

Sometimes you see reaction of anger over these flag burnings.. BUT WHY?

Burning is, after all, the PROPER WAY of disposing a flag. When you have a flag you no longer want or it's damages from wear and tear on the flag pole, you either burn it yourself or you put it in the trash and it will be burt at you local waste disposal incinery (spelling?).

So, why the fuss?

Because they aren't burning flags to dispose of the flags in the 'proper' way, but rather to show their hatred for the country that flag symbolizes.

This is like asking what the difference between sex and rape is. I mean, its still just body parts touching, right?

[FuxieDK]

But people are angry because it's BURNT... Noone says "They are destroying our flag" or something similar.. It's the burning part, that gets people upset... And since burning is the only ACCEPTED way of disposing of a flag, I can't see the problem.. Even when it's my own Dannebrog which gets burnt..

[Deleted]

because pieces of fabric matter

[Agent Mercury]

Symbolism. They perceive it as defaming it. Burning is often related to punishment of evil. Witches, hell, etc. So unless they know that is the proper disposal and that is what was being done they find it offensive.

[obdigore]

But people are angry because it's BURNT... Noone says "They are destroying our flag" or something similar.. It's the burning part, that gets people upset... And since burning is the only ACCEPTED way of disposing of a flag, I can't see the problem.. Even when it's my own Dannebrog which gets burnt..

So you are purposely refusing to see the difference?

Good talk. Glad we cleared that up.

[Feral Camel]

I look at it a different way. Somebody has gone out of there way to purchase a countries flag just to set it on fire.
Just seems stupid to me.

[Agent Mercury]

But people are angry because it's BURNT... Noone says "They are destroying our flag" or something similar.. It's the burning part, that gets people upset... And since burning is the only ACCEPTED way of disposing of a flag, I can't see the problem.. Even when it's my own Dannebrog which gets burnt..

And no. People get mad because the flag is being disrespected. Desecration is the word most often seen. If someone was slicing it up they would have the same reaction. Or something similar. Proper disposal isn't common knowledge nor is it usually why they are being burned in the cases of upset masses.

[Twoflower]

Nationalist people get angry about all sort of nonsense. Nothing rational behind it.

It always needs two parties for provocation to happen, the provocator and those that let themself be provocated. It's just a piece of cloth... Get over it.

[FuxieDK]

Symbolism. They perceive it as defaming it. Burning is often related to punishment of evil. Witches, hell, etc. So unless they know that is the proper disposal and that is what was being done they find it offensive.

But that only makes sense, when they burn pictures (or dolls) of people they hate (e.g. Obama or Kurt Westergaard). It can be percieved as a threat that they literally want to burn the person in question (bordering murder threats), but a flag? There is NOTHING WRONG with burning flags..

[Mrbleedinggums]

I'm all for burning the flag in protest, it's still protected under freedom of speech. Texas V Johnson would like a word with anyone that disagrees. If i felt that strongly against the actions that my country has been doing, I would burn a flag in protest as well. Many people are too ignorant and 'Merica! to understand that though and say something along the lines of "derp, if you dont like it, how about you leave?"

[FuxieDK]

And no. People get mad because the flag is being disrespected. Desecration is the word most often seen. If someone was slicing it up they would have the same reaction. Or something similar. Proper disposal isn't common knowledge nor is it usually why they are being burned in the cases of upset masses.

I understand, you can get upset if someone steps on you flag, because it serves no constructive purpose..
But burning it, is just to get rid of it..

[Deleted]

Because burning another country's flag is a declaration of war.

[Agent Mercury]

I understand, you can get upset if someone steps on you flag, because it serves no constructive purpose..
But burning it, is just to get rid of it..

You obviously have something blocking your ability to see it any other way so you asking the question was a waste of time. All the information you are going to need is here and now it is up to you to understand it.

[Powerogue]

Some people are as frothing crazy for the country as the people flag-burning are against. It's as simple as that.

[FuxieDK]

Because burning another country's flag is a declaration of war.

Says who? There are no international rules against it..

[s_bushido]

But burning it, is just to get rid of it..

Yeah, because people burning a flag in protest are totally "just getting rid of it."

[FuxieDK]

You obviously have something blocking your ability to see it any other way so you asking the question was a waste of time. All the information you are going to need is here and now it is up to you to understand it.

No.. I'm asking why people get upset, when no wrong is being done..

No doubt it's a stupid action to burn a flag as protest, but it's harmless, and (to the letter of the law) noone can take offense..

[Deleted]

It's just a piece of cloth. If people didnt bother then flag burning would have no effect.
Meet it like "oh, no you got some heat, understandable poor bros..."

[FuxieDK]

Some people are as frothing crazy for the country as the people flag-burning are against. It's as simple as that.

But those people will have tu burn their own flag, once it's too worn to fly...

So it's a case of "I can burn my flag, but you can't!!" or what! That's childish, and again not a proper reason to get upset..