The Confederate Flag

Why is the Confederate Flag Often Referred to as The Southern Cross By Supporters? Why is called a flag of hate by others? Why is it such a big deal, especially in South Carolina, where the NAACP is holding a boycott of state tourism? What is the deeper meaning behind the Confederate flag and can there be a compromise and an objective view to this hotbutton issue? What does the Bible say about this issue? The flag on the left is the most-known version of the Confederate battle flag; the one on the right is the St. Andrew's cross, the Scottish battle flag.
There are obvious similarities between the two flags. The St. Andrew's cross is named as such because St. Andrew felt that he was not worthy of being crucified the way Jesus was, so he was crucified in the direction shown in the flags above.

Why the Southern Cross? The deep South have been known as the Bible belt because of its religious conservatism. By the time the Confederate Battle flag was made, Jefferson Davis was President and the Bible Belt was now the States of the Confederacy. They probably formed the Confederacy as a nation under God and the flag makers knew of the St. Andrew's Cross, it was called the Southern Cross. Southerners have defended their "lifestyle", including slavery citing religious reasons among others. (If one could give me the history as to why the Battle flag was known as the Southern Cross, email me at gngerald@yahoo.com). This website is not as much about the history of the Confederate flag as it is about the Confederate flag controversy in South Carolina from a biblical standpoint. Historically speaking, from what we know since the 1860s, there wasn't a compromise then, and the compromise won't solve anything now. Only time will tell. Hopefully I will be proven wrong.

The sad thing about what is going on these recent days concerning the Confederate Flag is anything but godly. Many who feel the flag should be left alone on top of the Statehouse or in the Confederate Memorial because of heritage. Sadly, not everyone feels the same way as these people do has demonstrated it that way. Nor does everyone agree. Many are boycotting because they feel it is a racist symbol, a symbol of slavery. This is understandable:
By around 1862 or so, the South seceeded from the Union, which started the Civil War. At that time, slavery was the center issue of all of this, if not one of the biggest issues. Black people were treated as nothing more than property. They were by law not allowed to read, write, or even marry. If the South were to win the Civil War, black people were to remain slaves for years, if not decades to come.

On the other hand, there is the issue of treason and sovereignty. Brother fought against brother. The events that led up to the Civil War and afterward did lead up to countless lives being lost and the breakup of families and thus a nation. It took four years for America to become a united, United States. Many people do believe that the flag should stay up because of the numerous lives, both black and white, lost. There is also the issue of the Native Americans. They were in support of the Confederacy not because of slavery, but because of the threat against their livelihood by the United States government, who also committed many racist atrocities. There is also true accounts of racism by the Union army against blacks as well. Many racist actions have been committed by those in the North as well as the South throughout US history. Such examples include Plessy vs. Ferguson, the displacements of many Native Americans, the Klan's terror even in the Midwest, the race riots, the One-Drop Rules and segregation by law.

This is not the opinion of one or of many. These are just objective historical facts. Sadly, not not everyone who is for the flag staying atop the Statehouse want to stay up for those reasons. There are many hate groups and many older people who use the flag for their own selfish reasons. Many of these include the Klan, many of whom were former Confederate soldiers. They are the reason for the controversy. What made it even worse was that the flag was put up on the Statehouse grounds in 1962. The controversy was that that move may have either been a symbolic "slap in the face" to those who were part of the Civil Rights Movement. The other view is that the Confederacy was enacted a century before. To be fair, I believe that not all who believe that the flag is a part of their legacy and heritage are racists.

The real answer really starts within us. In a democracy such as this one, we must be the ones who will held accountable for all of this. Togetherness is the answer: United we stand, divided we fall. We all need to learn the history of this flag. Ignorance may be bliss, but it sure isn't pretty. The Bible teaches us to love our neighbor, and our enemies. No state flag, or any other flag is worth any amount of divisiveness. Ephesians 4:26-28 writes, " Be angry, and sin not, ...nor give place to the devil." We have seen much unrighteous anger, and probably bitterness, from some on both sides of the issue. This kind of divisiveness is not of God for the whole controversy has given place to the devil.. Burning a flag is not the answer. In fact, it was needless and disrespectful . Disrespect does not breed respect. Nor does name calling, protesting the protest, or ;boycotting. It has even been proven that boycotting isn't going to change people.

We need healing. We need to learn not to tolerate, but to forgive. Let's not repeat what happened hundreds of years ago. Let's move forward. For if we all fail to learn about our history, we are doomed to repeat it.