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1st Amendment Violation?

Do the presence of these religious symbols on a State flag violate the 1st Amendment?


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Jerry

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Right-wing red state South Dakota, who also spots a Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, is now putting their religious symbols in the tax-payer funded municipal flag:

Lawmakers Proposing New SD Flag
Local News by Adam Uhernik last edited on Thursday, January 26, 2012

new-flag.jpg



At least 80 South Dakota lawmakers say it's time the state has more than just an official seal. They want an official flag.
Representative Bernie Hunhoff is sponsoring a bill that aims to adopt a flag that would be separate from the state's seal. It would still use the Texas' lone star flag as its inspiration.


Hunhoff says the Texas design is "a source of unity and pride for the state." he adds, "I believe a flag can do the same thing for South Dakota."

A Spearfish artist drew the design, which has a Native American medicine wheel surrounded by yellow rays of sunshine on a sky-blue background.

See also: Flag on the Play

Does the presence of these religious symbols on a State flag violate the 1st Amendment? Are some people more apathetic to the presence of non-Christian religious symbols? What do you think about the proposed new flag?
 
When I first saw it I thought of a Celtic Cross, so it could very well be.
 
I defer to the will of the people. If no one challenges it, then I see no reason to stop it.
 
Right-wing red state South Dakota, who also spots a Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, is now putting their religious symbols in the tax-payer funded municipal flag:



See also: Flag on the Play

Does the presence of these religious symbols on a State flag violate the 1st Amendment? Are some people more apathetic to the presence of non-Christian religious symbols? What do you think about the proposed new flag?

A Spearfish artist drew the design, which has a Native American medicine wheel surrounded by yellow rays of sunshine on a sky-blue background

The Native American medicine wheel played a big part in thier spiritual beliefs but I don't recall anyone calling it a religion before. I suppose it could be considered as such if people really want to be persnickity about it. Which I am sure that there will be people that are.
 
I really had to read the story almost all the way through before I could figure out what was being considered a "religious symbol". I'm still more along the lines of WTF. A circle with a symmetric cross in it could be so many things. Cross-hairs for example. Maybe it's promoting gun rights? I donno, it symbolizes that we are separate individuals (the quarters) yet united together (the circle). Just throwing out possible interpretations. Just because it looks like a medicine wheel doesn't mean it is one.
 
I don't see any religious symbols, just ugliness.
 
If that's what everyone there wants, why not. It is isn't let them speak up.
 
It's on the state level, its being done for historical symbolism rather than promotion or statement regarding the adherance or worth or importance of a religion, and its not to me the government prohibiting the practice of religion nor establishing or endorsing a state religion. I've got no real issue with it on a personal level .
 
Right-wing red state South Dakota, who also spots a Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, is now putting their religious symbols in the tax-payer funded municipal flag:



See also: Flag on the Play

Does the presence of these religious symbols on a State flag violate the 1st Amendment? Are some people more apathetic to the presence of non-Christian religious symbols? What do you think about the proposed new flag?

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"


No it does not violate the first amendment.
 
i dont think the flag would be an issue so long as the symbol reflects the states heritage in some way.
 
So, then.... everybody would be cool if we changed the SC state flag from this...


sc-flag.gif


To this...

sc-flag2.jpg


...right? :mrgreen:
 
I'm all for SD getting a new flag. They might want to audition a few more entries before they go with Maggy Simpson sucking her Binky.
 
I am pretty ignorant on the subject.

I wouldn't consider alchemy to be religious though it involved rituals, spirits, references to diety, and whatnot.

Is this more like a religious symbol or more like an alchemical symbol?

idk
 
I am pretty ignorant on the subject.

I wouldn't consider alchemy to be religious though it involved rituals, spirits, references to diety, and whatnot.

Is this more like a religious symbol or more like an alchemical symbol?

idk

Actually that is a more accurate wording for the medicine wheel. It is after all called a Medicine wheel. ;)
 
So, then.... everybody would be cool if we changed the SC state flag from this...


View attachment 67122119


To this...

View attachment 67122120


...right? :mrgreen:

Would depend on the reason why. The crescent moon in the flag has historical, not religious, reference harkening back to the tax act protests and specifically back to a South Carolinian battle flag during the Revolution. Indeed, the crescent is a the most distinct object from the original battle flag that became the template for the state flag so getting rid of it devalues the historic value of the flag. As such, to remove it and replace it with a cross I'd feel there'd need to be some kind of legitimate historical reference or reason. If there was some such thing, I'd think it'd be dumb to dump that much history away but meh, no biggy. If it's "The crescent looks Muslim and we're Christians and we want to show that we care about Christ in South Carolina" then I'd have a bit more of an issue.
 
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