NationStates Jolt Archive

This query topic will probably get me DEAT'ed, but I must ask.

Why can't fundamentally Christian countries use a swastika as an emblem of their country/ nation? The swastika is a primitive religious symbol used primarily by Christians. This symbol in one form, (the ends of the arms bent clockwise) was, and is used by the German national socialist party and neo-Nazi groups. Which was a disgrace and besmirched the symbol, but it was used because it is a unique religious emblem used by a state that had Christianity as the national religion.

This does not seem a legitimate reason to me for banning the symbol. I look forward to any intelligent points others may make.



Yours randomly

New Sigmisund

This site is private property, and the admin of the site has made that ruling. If you want to read all 409 posts, here is a link to the topic in the archives: http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=275081

Originally Posted by [violet]
I was asked (a while back now) to make a judgement on whether swastikas are acceptable to use in nation flags.

After consideration, I've decided: No.

Players who use swastikas in their nation flags should change them.

While this site generally allows for political debate and discussion, nations are held to a higher standard than forum posts, because there is no right of reply. An offensive post can be debated -- hopefully to the point where the poster learns something -- but an offensive flag, motto, or nation name just sits there.

The swastika is intricately associated with the Holocaust in public consciousness, and, as one of the greatest tragedies of the last century, it can reasonably be considered offensive for players to appear to endorse or celebrate it.

I understand that at least a few players who use swastikas in their flags do not intend this outcome, and can probably give me a long history lesson on the symbol; nevertheless, that is not the message the image sends.

argueing with [violet] probably wont help me, but. . . . .

the russian (could be USSR, not sure, i will just refer to it as russia for simplicity) flag of the same era is allowed, correct?
russia also performed a "holocaust" at the same time but the flag is not banned, many flags have links to wars and massacres due to them developing from war banners, but they are not banned. the swastika is fully legal in most countries, it may be used as public events. Some people may not like it, but it is a religious symbol, not a Nazi one!

Debated before, and no, it's not going to change.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=275081