Desecration of the American Flag
Flag burning, or any other physical desecration of the American flag: no matter what side of the issue people fall upon, the very concept sparks strong emotions. On the one hand are those who regard burning the American flag as a form of blasphemy - a sin against "civil religion" in America tantamount a sin against an established church. That the flag is regarded as a mystical, almost religious symbol is made manifest by the use of the quasi-religious term of "desecration" in legislative attempts to protect the flag.