When does the symbol become more important than the concept?

[uppityperson]

The flag, pictures of Jesus/Mary, the cross, pictures of Muhammad, caricatures of (pick your group). These are all symbols for concepts. Treatment of these symbols all have provoked much anger and trauma.

Why? When does it become more important to take away people's rights in order to honor the flag that stand for those rights? When does it become more important to riot or kill because someone dishonored your religious symbol that stands for peace and tolerance and acceptance and love? Caricatures of (pick your group) are meant only to inflame but why? I believe many religions say you should not have images because this can lead to worshipping the symbol rather than the concept. It seems that this is another good reason for the seperation of church and state.

What is more important, the symbol or the concept? When do they get so confused?

[CottonBear]

1. The apathetic, ignorant and ill-educated don't understand the difference

between tangible symbol and intangible concept thus they are easily manipulated by political and religous charlantans. :(

[uppityperson]

9. That's my easy answer, but it hasn't held true totally

I have friends who are not apathetic, ignorant or ill-educated who strongly believe the symbol is of equal importance. I don't understand this since they are not equal. I hesitate to brand them as apathetic, ignorant, ill-educated (though this does cover a wide group of believers), and just don't get it.

[CottonBear]

12. Point taken. Those persons of whom you speak are hard nuts to crack

metaphorically speaking.

I would try to understand why those persons feel so much strongly about the symbol than the concept.
Perhaps, they are insecure in their faith or belief.

Peace. CB

[Vincardog]

2. Some people take seriously the 'No Images' injunction. They do not allow

any image of GOD or her/is representatives. The folks who want to inflame don't have any cultural sensuality except that needed to inflame.

Here is one for you. Do you think Burning Crosses should be allowed under Free Speech rights?

[CJCRANE]

3. Possibly should be allowed

but NOT promoted in mainstream newspapers.

"Freedom of speech" does not encompass the right for hate speech to be promoted in national newspapers.

[uppityperson]

8. Thank you, you posted while I was composing my other answer

there is a difference between hate and freedom of speech. At what point is it crossed I cannot say and that is the problem.

[uppityperson]

6. It depends on how it is used. Political cartoon, yes. Real cross, hmm

Burning a real cross, depends on where, when, why. If it is meant to provoke hatred and violence, KKK style, no. In a political cartoon, yes. On your own lawn, not meant to provoke hatred and violence, perhaps. Similar to promoting Islamic turbans as bombs.

These symbol caricatures I find insensitive and offensive, but am not rioting about. However, they are not being put forward all over newspapers but I searched them out. I don't know what would make me want to riot, as far as images go. I don't have a quick or easy answer except to say there are other ways to deal with cultural insensitivity than violence. And again I find myself painted into a corner because what if violence were the only way to get change done, but I don't think so.





This I find funny, though it seems more likely the flagwearer would be the conservative guy. Again stereotyping someone.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

4. It's Up To Each Individual And Sub Culture To Define That For Themselves.

[dusmcj]

5. hallmark of fascism.

fascists are fixated on form. They are controlled by the power in it they only partly perceive. This is no different than the postmodern proclamations that there is no originality, no creativity and no free will and that all activity is just a dreary rehashing of what came before. For some people maybe, and unfortunately they have a tendency to want everyone to suffer from the same deficiency.

[smitty]

7. so postmodernism

is a form of fascism?

[sweetheart]

11. corporate rule

could be said by gentlemen,
to be fascist rule outside the pen,
of nations founders so inspired,
monarchy not ever was desired.

[sweetheart]

10. idolitry pie

Would that wiser still were we, knowing deeper than we see,
for appearances of thought, clay feet has it like they taught.
Nothing ever be the same, markets over natures game,
everything must be the same, genetic plastic so innane.
programmed DNA pre-picked, packaged pixar ultraslick,
if it be original, would it ever be legal.
Fresh untouched genetic store, way to complex for the bore,
who runs the idol ministry, covered still in thick pastry.