# Tell me about the Christian flag

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [July 19, 2019, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299 "2019-07-19T11:16:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/1 "2019-07-19T11:16:37Z")

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My multinational employer has Yammer, a Facebook-like social network for employees. Most of the discussion groups are related to work or IT, but there are a few hobby- and family-oriented groups.

One recent entry had an employee from the U.S. (a man, I think) talking about his teenage daughter’s success at a recent rodeo event. And he mentioned with pride that his daughter had been chosen to carry the U.S. _and Christian_ flags at the opening (or closing?) parade. His post got the usual likes and mild congratulations expected on a social network made up of strangers.

Is exhibiting a [Christian flag](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Flag) at public events a usual thing in the U.S.? Old tradition or new idea? Political statement?

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**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/2 "2019-07-19T11:25:07Z")

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I’ve never heard of it but, if his daughter was in a rodeo, I’m guessing she lives in a far different slice of America than I do both geographically and culturally.

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**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/3 "2019-07-19T12:00:48Z")

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> [@Jophiel](#):
>
> I’ve never heard of it but, if his daughter was in a rodeo, I’m guessing she lives in a far different slice of America than I do both geographically and culturally.

Same here. When I read rodeo, my mind went to Texas and, while I don’t know a lot about Texas, I’ve always assumed that they’re fairly religious down there. It seems that injecting religion into sports wouldn’t be that unexpected.

Doing some google image searches didn’t show any obvious connections, but doing regular google searches landed some results. None of which I clicked on, but it does seem that some rodeos in the bible belt do fly Christian Flags and there appears to be at least some controversy over it.

I guess what I’d want to know is what state she’s in and who’s promoting the rodeo. For example, if it’s in Texas and being put on by a Christian group, it would make sense. If it’s in Iowa and being put on my the local government, maybe not.

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**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/4 "2019-07-19T12:03:35Z")

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I’ve never heard of this flag, but I just want to say that’s some incredibly shity vexillography. For a flag designed from scratch, it is just bad design - _why_ a canton? Usually it’s for another complete flag or a single meaningful symbol. Why a _square_ canton, out of all proportion? Why red on blue, which is crappy contrast? I’m not saying it’s “county flags of Liberia” bad, but it’s pretty crap.

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**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/5 "2019-07-19T12:22:09Z")

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I’ve heard of the flag and would recognize it, but I don’t know that I’ve ever seen it in a secular context. If I did, I’d assume its owner was trying _very_ hard to make a point about something.

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**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/6 "2019-07-19T12:37:37Z")

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When I was a kid in Christian school we pledged both the American and Christian flags every morning.  
“I pledge allegiance to the flag  
And to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands.  
One Savior, crucified and risen again  
With life and liberty for all who believe.”  
There is also a Christian flag hanging in my grandma’s church, but I don’t think I’ve seen it elsewhere.

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**Author:** ![Swampwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Swampwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swampwolf)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/7 "2019-07-19T12:46:02Z")

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> [@Dung\_Beetle](#):
>
> “I pledge allegiance to the flag  
> And to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands.  
> One Savior, crucified and risen again  
> With life and liberty for all who believe.”

I love how none of the versions of that pledge have the words “Under God.”

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**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/8 "2019-07-19T12:51:02Z")

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I’ve never seen that flag being used in a public ceremony. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that it’s commonly used in religious schools, which is really a subculture that has lots of cultural features that aren’t commonly known outside it.

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**Author:** ![road\_lobo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d78d45/32.png) [@road\_lobo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/road_lobo)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/9 "2019-07-19T13:00:22Z")

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> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> I’ve never heard of this flag, but I just want to say that’s some incredibly shity vexillography. For a flag designed from scratch, it is just bad design - _why_ a canton? Usually it’s for another complete flag or a single meaningful symbol. Why a _square_ canton, out of all proportion? Why red on blue, which is crappy contrast? I’m not saying it’s “county flags of Liberia” bad, but it’s pretty crap.

It’s merchandise, not fine art. Christian rock, Christian rap, Christian flag.

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**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/10 "2019-07-19T13:04:46Z")

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> [@road\_lobo](#):
>
> It’s merchandise, not fine art.

It’s also shitty logo design, if that helps.

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**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/11 "2019-07-19T13:11:53Z")

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> [@Swampwolf](#):
>
> I love how none of the versions of that pledge have the words “Under God.”

If you’re pledging allegiance to God directly (“I pledge allegiance…to the Savior”), wouldn’t “under God” imply that there are two gods?

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**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/12 "2019-07-19T14:10:19Z")

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I don’t believe I have ever seen that flag before. So, I don’t think it’s a thing at most public events in the US. I don’t think I’ve been to a rodeo in 30 years, but maybe it’s a rodeo thing? 😕

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**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/13 "2019-07-19T14:31:50Z")

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> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> I’m not saying it’s “county flags of Liberia” bad

Just looked those up…holy crap, that is a high bar to pass.

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**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/14 "2019-07-19T14:39:31Z")

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> [@wguy123](#):
>
> I don’t believe I have ever seen that flag before. So, I don’t think it’s a thing at most public events in the US. I don’t think I’ve been to a rodeo in 30 years, but maybe it’s a rodeo thing? 😕

I’ve seen it in churches from time to time, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it at a public event. Definitely not a “typical thing” in much of the U.S.

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**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/15 "2019-07-19T14:43:28Z")

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Is the Christian flag common at rodeos? Nah, not so much. Is it used at some rodeos, especially those staged by Christian organizations? Sure. Honestly, your question is like asking “Is rye bread a usual thing in Russia?”. The US is huge and diverse. The answer varies on a micro level.

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**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/16 "2019-07-19T14:57:07Z")

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I’ve actually been to some Texas rodeos and this is the first I’ve heard of it. So, no, it’s not a common thing.

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**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/17 "2019-07-19T15:15:08Z")

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> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#):
>
> The US is huge and diverse. The answer varies on a micro level.

Heck, Texas is huge and diverse.

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**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/18 "2019-07-19T15:32:55Z")

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I didn’t even know there is a Christian Flag, and I AM a Christian. I was raised a Protestant (Lutheran) and have never noticed one in any of the many churches I have visited.

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**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/19 "2019-07-19T15:44:07Z")

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> [@Kamino\_Neko](#):
>
> Just looked those up…holy crap, that is a high bar to pass.

Someone let their child use MS Paint I see.

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**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-christian-flag/837299/20 "2019-07-19T15:49:29Z")

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I’m an Episcopalian and I’ve never seen this. The Episcopal church has its own flag but I’ve never seen it at a sporting event. I think the only time I’ve seen it outside of church was at the pride parade.

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