Flag Controversy

So with the recent flag debate and everyone putting their two cents in, I figured I might as well to. And I'm sure I will make a lot of people mad with this but I ask you to just read with an open mind. Try to see the other side of things. The recent news has gotten everyone up in arms about it and to be honest, it's gotten ignorant. And I've seen so many posts saying something like "If this flag offends you then you need to learn some history". Well I've researched a lot of history. And the fact of the matter is, the flag in question is a symbol of hate and racism for many, many people. Yes, you may call it southern pride and it very well may be for you. But the original design was created for the simple reason to represent states who committed treason and who felt that the whites should have more rights than blacks. Don't believe me? The designer himself, William Thompson, described the flag with these words "As a people, we are fighting to maintain the Heaven-ordained supremacy of the white man over the inferior or colored race" and "Such a flag…would soon take rank among the proudest ensigns of the nations, and be hailed by the civilized world as THE WHITE MAN'S FLAG." It's right there in the history books people. The flag was designed as a symbol of racism. I don't understand how people can argue the logic. Not to mention that the Confederate battle flag was never even the official flag of the Confederate! So what are we proud of? What are we fighting for? A symbol of, at it's best, treason against the United States of America and at it's worst, complete and utter racism? Why? You can not claim to be a proud, patriotic American while you honor the flag of the largest treasonous uprising against this country in history. Period. No matter what you think the flag stood for at one time, the truth is it has been perverted and changed into a symbol of hate for many. For so many who look at this they do not see pride. They see a reminder of what their ancestors were put through. And while we tell people "slavery is in the past, we need to move past it" it's kind of hard to do when you have symbols like this shoved in your face. The swastika was once a symbol of good fortune and well being. But try telling people today that it's okay, its a symbol of my proud German ancestry. No one in their right minds would dream of doing such a thing. Let alone have one flying from the back of their truck. But you do have a point about it being "Southern heritage", I'll give you that. So it most definitely should be in a history museum where it belongs to remind us to never let our past mistakes repeat themselves.
And if you claim to be a Christian and are still arguing the case that we should allow this flag to continue, please think about this. If you continue to fly this flag or defend it, what kind of example of God's love are you setting? It's putting anger and resentment and fear into the hearts of our brothers and sisters. It's causing strife amongst us. It's a flag. Are we idolizing it so much that we would put it ahead of people? What do we honestly lose by getting rid of it? Our pride? Well, we are told pride is not good. We know that. We are to humble ourselves. Are we being humble or prideful? Philippians tells us "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Why are we causing rivalry over a symbol of this world? Are we putting ourselves ahead of others? 

And Romans says "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." Are we showing affection and honor to our brothers and sisters? 

Continuing in Romans, and what I personally feel plays the biggest part for myself is "Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother... I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died." Straight up, we are causing stumbling blocks for others. It hurts them. It grieves them. Christ died for them just as He died for all of us. We have no right to hinder His children that way. 

I hope people take what I've just written in the love I meant it for. I don't mean to cause more strife. I just really believe we are fighting an ignorant fight when there are so very many things that are more important to fight for.