Remembrance and the Poppy


The Poppy.  Evocative. Emotional. Divisive?

As we remember those who have fallen, as well as those who survived and all the families involved, the significance of the Poppy raises its divisive and conciliatory head in 2010.

It has been reported already that Margaret Ritchie will, as a leader of Nationalism, wear a poppy on Remembrance Sunday.  Conall Mcdevitt also sets out his take on his Leader doing this as showing some element of respect and remembrance.  

The Poppy has also been in the news due to people associating with divisive issues.  Recently Jonathan Bell MLA highlighted an issue where a manager in EXTERN asked staff to hide their poppies.  

The BBC’s Director General has recently been contacted by solicitors representing a member of Relatives For Justice demanding an explicit explanation of their policy surrounding the wearing of poppies.  The policy the solicitors want to be clarified to basically no poppies on show.  The BBC were also criticised on a UK basis for encouraging their presenters to wear poppies too early.

And the issue of Poppy wearing is not restricted to Northern Ireland, BBC reported that Hollister in Hampshire, England has been caught up in a similar controversy with staff wearing the Poppy  


Personally, I think Poppies are a symbol that does not glorify war or conflict.  The Celtic fans were right, it is blood stained. That is the point.  Poppies symbolise the whole concept that we should never forget the sacrifices of others be they combatant or non-combatant.  We should celebrate the issue of personal bravery in adversity.  It symbolises John 15:13 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.' It should not glorify war, nor promote bloodthirsty nationalistic pride.  It should remind us of why there should be no more wars or conflict.  It should reinforce pacifism.  It should remind us to treat others as we would like to be treated.  It should remind us that we should, no matter how we view the world or government, that men and women who have died in conflict should be remembered with dignity, the injured should be treated as a priority, families should not be forgotten and society should be more responsive to all those in need help and understanding.

I will remember them on Sunday.  What ever your own belief on the issue, I hope you will at least pause to think about how we as a society can learn from a violent past to build a peaceful future.

3 comments:

oakleyses on 2:26 am said...

mulberry uk, nike air max, michael kors outlet, true religion jeans, burberry outlet, burberry handbags, michael kors outlet, polo lacoste, michael kors, north face uk, michael kors outlet online, michael kors outlet online, oakley pas cher, guess pas cher, kate spade, vans pas cher, sac vanessa bruno, michael kors outlet, true religion outlet, uggs outlet, coach purses, abercrombie and fitch uk, hollister pas cher, new balance, nike air max uk, true religion outlet, ralph lauren uk, hollister uk, nike air max uk, sac hermes, replica handbags, michael kors outlet online, uggs outlet, lululemon canada, coach outlet store online, converse pas cher, timberland pas cher, nike air force, coach outlet, michael kors, north face, true religion outlet, nike roshe run uk, nike tn, nike blazer pas cher, hogan outlet, ray ban uk

oakleyses on 2:29 am said...

valentino shoes, babyliss, asics running shoes, celine handbags, chi flat iron, converse outlet, north face outlet, reebok outlet, louboutin, mcm handbags, nike huaraches, timberland boots, instyler, p90x workout, bottega veneta, mac cosmetics, ralph lauren, insanity workout, nike air max, jimmy choo outlet, soccer jerseys, nike roshe run, nike air max, ferragamo shoes, new balance shoes, hollister, hermes belt, converse, nike trainers uk, iphone cases, giuseppe zanotti outlet, baseball bats, oakley, mont blanc pens, ghd hair, ray ban, wedding dresses, hollister clothing, lululemon, hollister, nfl jerseys, longchamp uk, vans outlet, beats by dre, north face outlet, vans, soccer shoes, herve leger, abercrombie and fitch, gucci

oakleyses on 2:32 am said...

canada goose outlet, barbour uk, pandora uk, moncler, canada goose, canada goose outlet, canada goose jackets, canada goose, toms shoes, swarovski crystal, links of london, moncler outlet, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, ugg uk, pandora jewelry, wedding dresses, moncler, ugg pas cher, moncler outlet, pandora jewelry, canada goose outlet, karen millen uk, doudoune moncler, supra shoes, louis vuitton, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, canada goose, hollister, juicy couture outlet, louis vuitton, lancel, juicy couture outlet, coach outlet, canada goose uk, louis vuitton, moncler uk, louis vuitton, pandora charms, montre pas cher, moncler, swarovski, marc jacobs, moncler, replica watches, barbour, thomas sabo, louis vuitton, ugg

 

Hand of History. Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved Revolution Two Church theme by Brian Gardner Converted into Blogger Template by Bloganol dot com | Distributed by Deluxe Templates