The English Flag.

[Theland]

https://youtu.be/ARdXe7O8cK0

Do you think we should take pride in our English flag, or ditch it to save offending the offended?

[kvalidir]

A red cross on a white background heraldicly was first used by German Crusaders in the third Crusade but a flag has to have some symbol on it, so no I don't think there is any need to slavishly apologise over everything, and that is nearly a thousand years ago, no-one is now alive within living memory of anyone affected by the crusades, so no it's a flag VE let's just treat is as a symbol of England as we are today, all the positive things we have as our own and have adopted from elsewhere, but let's not let it get dragged along as a symbol for hatred and racial superiority, and let's not let steady good common sense bow in the face of hysteria either. It's a flag, reclaim it, use it, be proud of it but don't let it be misused.

[Jackdaw33]

//Isn't the use of a cross (with all its historical and cultural connotations) on a national standard intrinsically divisive in multi-cultural Britain?\\

I see that v-e has been having lessons at the Diane Abbott school of rational thought and logic.

[vetuste_ennemi]

//A red cross on a white background heraldicly was first used by German Crusaders in the third Crusade//

But goes back as an important military symbol far longer, Kvalidir.

"In hoc signo vinces.". Constantine. Milvian bridge. Uncle Peter Pedant will be along shortly to explain.

[Cloverjo]

I take more pride in the Union Flag than in St George's flag? The red cross on white has been taken over by football fans and racists.

I feel more moved by hearing The National Anthem and seeing the Union flag at a sporting event than hearing Jerusalem and seeing St George's flag.

[Theland]

Given our Judeo Christian heritage, I think the cross is most appropriate on our flag. And the union flag is three crosses to emphasise the point.

[Theland]

The English flag represents our country. Another way of putting this is to say it represents, "us", rather than, "them," so it is a symbol of our, "tribe."
So, is it wrong to desire to belong to a tribe, a community of people with some commonality, and a rejection of those people who do not share our unique tribalism?
We find comfort within our tribe, others find comfort in theirs.
Do you agree with this?
In my opinion, there are many such tribes based on race and religion, as well as geographical origin.
Many tribes living within a common geographical area is called multiculturalism or diversity.
A desire to maintain our own tribal identity is, it seems to me, to be ingrained in our DNA.
Am I right? Is this a good thing or should it be subsumed for the greater good?

[Cloverjo]

We're all a bunch of people trying to survive on a tiny rock in a vast universe. I'd rather we all shared the planet instead of fighting over which bit belongs to whom - or which tribe. I know this sounds idealistic and is not going to happen, but while we are as we are I'll cheer on my country - England and/or UK. I won't be flying St George's cross from my car or house, though.

[waterboatman]

The Cross of Saint George is the symbol of England and has been for many years. If anyone doesn't like it they are free to leave. Simple!

[NoMercy]

Fly it with pride!

I wouldn't go to another country and be offended by seeing them fly their flag, so why should anyone be offended by ours?

[MallyJ]

I am english/british/european through an accident of birth not through any effort on my part and certainly not through any achievement. I don't feel pride in any flag or any country....in fact the damage the English have done to other parts of the world are shameful. The cross of St George? Now where was he from???!

[woofgang]

Theland are you ok? Your posts have undergone a huge change in tone recently....I am a little concerned that you might be unwell. I intend no sarcasm and have no alternate agenda, just concerned.

[Old_Geezer]

One need not personally have put in effort to be part of a group one has pride in for all their past achievements. Hit far above their weight much of the time, more successful than others using the rules/morality of the times. Contributed so much to the world. It's strange not to take pride. As for the flag, strange question. One's symbol is one's symbol; if someone gets offended that's their issue.

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

What I don't like is the way it has been hijacked by football fans and is now a symbol of hooliganism.

It would be great to see it flying all year round, not just in the football season. I went to Switzerland recently and it was very noticeable that the national flag was displayed very prominently everywhere.

In this crazy "politically-correct" world, we instead see Preston City Council flying the Palestinian flag, and Hizbollah and ISIS flags brazenly flown in our Capital city.

[Old_Geezer]

I suspect because we don't give reverence to cloth, be they symbols or not. We don't tend to get het up about other's flags nor see any need to keep waving our own as if they had special status (extremist groups (including football supporters) aside).

[jno]

how many Isis flags are flying in London, brazenly or otherwise?

[-Talbot-]

Has anyone noticed anything about this thread that is different to say a Tommy Robinson thread?

[New Judge]

"Isn't the use of a cross (with all its historical and cultural connotations) on a national standard intrinsically divisive in multi-cultural Britain?"

No it isn't "divisive". It's the flag of the country that those of different faiths and races live in. If it does not appeal to them I'm sure there are many less divisive places in the world for them to choose from.

[whiskeryron]

The union has broken up & is now divided. I would like to see the English flag flown as much as the stars & stripes is flown in the US. Let us be proud of our history & fly our national flag from all government & municipal buildings & in schools. Those that object can find somewhere else to live. Long live England & St George.

[Togo]

Strange how the English flag is deemed to be "divisive" but not so in the case of the Scottish, Welsh, or Irish flags. Funny old world. It was noticeable that at least one of those flags became the symbol used by a violent paramilitary organisation and at least another is waved regularly by a separatist nationalistic movement. That's OK then. But a flag used by football supporters to show allegiance to a national team is judged to be beyond the pale. Meehh.

[-Talbot-]

Nobody noticed that the messenger hasn't been attacked then?


Well until now.
Nasty, vile racist black supremacist imo.