Should government flags be flying half-staff for the pope?

He was the Head of State for Vatican City which is a nation-state that we have diplomatic relations with - so no problems here.

 

You didn't have my answer:
no, because I don't really respect him.

 

Yes. The first option.

He was a source of leadership, and leadership even for Protestants, if we're willing to see it. Theological concerns aside, JP II was a lot more like Jesus than we enlightened Protestants give him credit for.

 

OK, so maybe I misread the first answer then.

TragicP, I am wiling to see that the pope did some rather good thigns for mankind, yup . . . And probably we will reap those bennefits for a while yet . . . but I still don't respect him, and I don't like the idea of comparing him to Jesus on any level.

Princess Diana did a lot of 'great' things for mankind as well, and I had no respect for her.

 

Our daughter called today. She's married to a non practicing Catholic man whose father goes to mass every day but no one else in the family attends. The MOTHER IN LAW is hysterical... crying, screaming, sobbing... 'It's like GOD died' she says! Their family honestly believes Pope John Paul is all that kept the Catholic church 'as it is' and it's going to fall apart now with all sorts of things changing. Easter and Christmas is all she gave to the RCC .... The father is even worse.

 

That says it all.
"It's like God died."
Hello . . .

 

I can't think of other heads of state that we have flown the flag at half-mast for..not saying there hasn't been any, but its been very few.

From a religious aspect, I don't think it should be done unless the government will be flying it at half-mast for other religions, example: the head of the Mormon Church when he passes...after all, he's suppose to be a prophet talking with God.

Personally, I have no respect for any man that covers up for the employees under his supervision as the Pope did with the priests in the sexual molestation of children scandal. Then even going as far as to say those priests were not as bad as Catholics who had divorce and remarried.

 

Don't have a problem with it.

I can understand why so many Catholics are upset. For many, he is the only Pope that they have ever known. Also, he kept the Catholic church together through some very turbulent times and held to their Catholic distinctives on issues like homosexuality, abortion, etc. despite tremendous pressure from liberal Catholics.

PS --
Aren't all Christians supposed to be like Jesus?

 

Put forth a different angle

What if we had not flown the flag at half staff?

give me some headlines you might see.

 

When Billy Graham Dies ( I hope not soon)I am sure that American flags will fly 1/2 staff.
When Oral Roberts Dies (I hope not soon) the same consideration should be given. Otherwise we should not fly flags 1/2 staff for the Pope although I dearly loved the man.

 

Now that Prince Ranier has died, it will be interesting to see if flags are at half-mast for him since he's head of state.

 

I think Billy Graham you will see it done.

Oral Roberts now that is a stretch without

wanting to debate it, I think not imho.

 

Again, I think it's inappropriate for flags to be flown at half-staff for those outside of government positions or government assignments. Our local flags (city and state) have flown at half-staff for previous govenors who died or a policeman killed in the line of duty.

 

Yes; primarily because he was a man of great respect and influence, to Catholics and non-Catholics 24% (7)

Yes; primarily because he was in fact a head of state with which we have diplomatic relations 31% (9)

No; primarily because this is government respecting an establishment of religion in a way not done for other religions 28% (8)

No; primarily because government bodies must not take any position in regard to a religious body or belief 10% (3)

I don't know 7% (2)

 

Seems to be getting closer perhaps another
10-15 votes will give us a dead heat.(no pun
intended)

 

NO flag of mine will fly half mast for either of them.

 

Yes, I think it is appropriate.

 

The only Oral that commands that kind of respect is my grandfather. heh heh

kidding

 

Sue, I Agree!
I favored the first choice.

like it or not, our nation represents others than WASP. I don't agree with JPII's theology, But I respect him.
WallyGator