# When Christian "Patriots" Sound Like Catholic Christians **URL:** \ **Category:** Apologetics\ **Created:** [July 24, 2026, 1:39pm UTC](https://forum.catholictalk.net/t/when-christian-patriots-sound-like-catholic-christians/4027 "2026-07-24T13:39:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cade\_One](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.catholictalk.net/cade_one/32/34_2.png) [@Cade\_One](https://forum.catholictalk.net/u/Cade_One)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 1:39pm UTC](https://forum.catholictalk.net/t/when-christian-patriots-sound-like-catholic-christians/4027/1 "2026-07-24T13:39:16Z")
In recent news, an elderly man slapped a kid for not standing for the National Anthem. What if you think worshiping a flag is idolatry (which was not this kids argument)? How quickly Christian “patriots” begin to sound like Catholic Christians _honoring_ Mary (Lady Liberty) and the Saints (Soldiers who have given their lives). ---
**Author:** ![Literalman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.catholictalk.net/literalman/32/117_2.png) [@Literalman](https://forum.catholictalk.net/u/Literalman)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 1:39am UTC](https://forum.catholictalk.net/t/when-christian-patriots-sound-like-catholic-christians/4027/2 "2026-07-25T01:39:28Z")
Wow! Without knowing any details, I’d say it sounds like the slapper thought he knew the kid’s motives, decided that the kid was guilty, and decided that he (the slapper) was authorized to inflict physical punishment. Although I don’t think I have ever sat during the National Anthem in person (as distinct from hearing my wife practice it or hearing it on TV), it’s conceivable that I might sit for the same reasons I occasionally but rarely sit during a part of the Mass where we customarily stand: if I have back pain, fatigue, nausea or something (not all at once). If that slapper went to our church, would he decide that I look fit enough and give me some physical punishment? ---
**Author:** ![Cade\_One](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.catholictalk.net/cade_one/32/34_2.png) [@Cade\_One](https://forum.catholictalk.net/u/Cade_One)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 3:07pm UTC](https://forum.catholictalk.net/t/when-christian-patriots-sound-like-catholic-christians/4027/3 "2026-07-27T15:07:57Z")
> [@Literalman](#): > > Wow! Without knowing any details, I’d say it sounds like the slapper thought he knew the kid’s motives, decided that the kid was guilty, and decided that he (the slapper) was authorized to inflict physical punishment. If I had to guess, “the slapper” was a Veteran. And what that piece of cloth stands for means something different to most Veterans than many youth. I have been to events where teenagers consciously do not stand for the National Anthem. To some it symbolizes slavery or _Imperialism_. I have heard both arguments. What happens when your nation had done or is doing something that you disagree with? You are less likely to respect that nations anthem. Similarly, some have been hurt by the Church and when they see a Cross, they do not see what we see, but rather the injustices done by some in the Church. They do not see a memorial for someone who has given us their life so that we might be free. When kid are not standing for the National Anthem, many veterans view this as if they were spitting on the graves of those who have served beside them. And I see how that could be viewed as disrespectful. Here is the video showing that the young man was _able_ to stand, so it wasn’t that he couldn’t stand for medical reasons. [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/catholic365/original/2X/c/c47cb74415e42d98f8e6a90b5f927d07ddf4bac5.jpeg "Man Speaks Out After Slapping Sports Fan Who Didn't Stand For National Anthem") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSscCYpYGrc) I am someone who believes the flag is a form of idolatry. And the more freedoms that our government takes from me and the more unjust wars she supports, the less I want to stand for the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance, but I do it out of respect for those who have served (even if I do not agree with the politicians who send them to wars with Countries that we have not even declared war against). ---
**Author:** ![Literalman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.catholictalk.net/literalman/32/117_2.png) [@Literalman](https://forum.catholictalk.net/u/Literalman)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2026, 12:17am UTC](https://forum.catholictalk.net/t/when-christian-patriots-sound-like-catholic-christians/4027/4 "2026-07-28T00:17:38Z")
Even if the man was gravely offended, that doesn’t give him authority to hit anybody. Pardon me for stating the obvious. I stand for the Pledge of Allegiance out of respect, but I stopped saying it years ago because I estimated that I had already said it a thousand times, yet if I say it a thousand and one times, I still might be instructed to say it again the next day. What other promises are good for such a short time? ---
**Author:** ![Cade\_One](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.catholictalk.net/cade_one/32/34_2.png) [@Cade\_One](https://forum.catholictalk.net/u/Cade_One)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2026, 1:23pm UTC](https://forum.catholictalk.net/t/when-christian-patriots-sound-like-catholic-christians/4027/5 "2026-07-28T13:23:52Z")
> [@Literalman](#): > > Even if the man was gravely offended, that doesn’t give him authority to hit anybody. Pardon me for stating the obvious. I believe in the NAP (non-aggression principle). Only in self-defense should anyone use force against another. This kid was not a threat to this man. He is a threat to what the man’s idea of America is or should be (that I do believe is true). But, really, I think the man was reactionary and acted out of anger.