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The trouble doesn't lie with Christianity but with power. The two have always been at odds. Political power is a synonym for "physical force," for bending people to government's will regardless of their inclinations, interests, or welfare. But Christianity is love – power's antidote. Anyone who sincerely follows Jesus Christ will never try to compel others – because he didn't. Jesus sought to persuade by word and example, loving men so much that he let them judge for themselves the truth of his teachings [Becky Akers, "Does the American Flag Belong in Church?" Christian Science Monitor, 2008.07.28].
Give the full article a read: Akers makes some discussion-worthy points about her approach to citizenship and Christian faith.
Should the national flag, a symbol of earthly power, really occupy such a hallowed place at the front of a Christian church? Perhaps the more Christian approach would be to display the flags of every nation at the altar, to symbolize all of God's children. 190-some flags would make for a crowded altar... but then no one says Christian love is easy.
I honestly felt like vomiting when I read Becky Akers' article. She starts out well by asking a valid question, but fails to address it in the body of said article, instead riding a slippery slope of assumptions and probables. Take here last statement about the flag
ReplyDelete"If they think about it at all, most believers probably see the flag and Pledge as tokens of affection for their country. In reality, both symbolize an infatuation with government."
Really, an infatuation with government? The American Flag is certainly a symbol that represents a lot of things, for the most part they are good things. That's why people fly them, that's why terrorists burn them. I have met very patriotic people in the Army, and it is not the government they are infatuated with, they are infatuated with the ideals of freedom, of equality, of being able to rise up from a poor background and make your way in the world, of being able to own land and build, of being able to worship any religion they want to worship.
My favorite quote "Political power is a synonym for "physical force," for bending people to government's will regardless of their inclinations, interests, or welfare. But Christianity is love – power's antidote."
Besides the paradox of Huey Lewis and the News' "Power of Love", is the horrible equation of political power and physical force and then the definition of the government's use of said force. Cory, do you agree with her definition? Especially the "regardless of their inclinations, interests, or welfare." part?
And did Jesus never compel anyone? How about we ask those guys he drove out of the Temple with a whip of cords.....hey! that's physical force too! And let's not mention anything about the final judgment or anything, any loving Christian knows that God would never actually hold anyone accountable for their actions.
I think the question of the Flag belonging in church is a great question, one that spurns on debate, and will continue to do so. And there are so many more articles that actually discuss the topic and offer up facts, rather the Akers diatribe which seems to be more about why she doesn't like the government and therefore it is bad that churches are cozying upto it.
Why are flags displayed in church? One would probably have to ask each church why. Maybe it is to remind us that although we are citizens of Heaven, we are still temporarily citizens of America. Maybe it is because too many people would complain if it was taken down. If a congregation is having issues focusing on Christ, because of a flag in the church, by all means take it down. Maybe it is some weird amalgamation of religions, one being Christianity and the other being the religion of the State (what with the deification of the Founding Fathers and the inerrancy of the Constitution, the written Word of the Founding Fathers).
Maybe one thing to consider is that most churches, like our government, is made up of the people, a thing Akers seems not to realize.
So how would you feel, Joe, about a nice blue UN flag next to the cross?
ReplyDeleteI'll admit, Joe, I'm not wholly comfortable with treating political power" as a synonym for "physical force." Laws carry the inherent threat of coercion, but done right, they are the product of collaborative social effort.
Still, Akers is on to something. The flag does get wrapped up in patriotism and nationalism, which don't fit neatly with Christianity (or do they?).
Cory,
ReplyDeleteA UN flag? Well, if it is a nice one. But seriously, I do not think politics or government endorsement belong inside of a church. I think that the church should be a place of worship and fellowship, bringing a flag into it does not enhance those things, and I do not see how they would. However, if a group of people wanted to fly a flag outside of the church, more power to them. Christians should realize they are Christians first, and Americans (if they happen to be one) second. What are your thoughts on it? As far as patriotism and nationalism fitting neatly with Christianity? There are a lot of Church of (insert country name here)s over in Europe....
Cory,
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic.I happen to believe we display the US Flag as a sign of respect and affection for the nation and its people, and as reminders that we are called to be good citizens of our country.
I do find reverence in the words “God Bless America” and also “One Nation under God”.
Anon: Does giving the US flag such a place of importance create a little sense of exclusivity in the service? Would you be comfortable with a Mexican flag next to the Stars and Stripes at the altar?
ReplyDeleteI like showing my wife respect and affection, but is the church altar the right place for that display (other than at our wedding?)
The reverence you find in the words "God Bless America" -- reverence for God? for America? for both? What if the pastor put up a banner that read "God Bless Everyone"?
Note: I don't wish to bash anyone here; I'm really just curious. As Anon said, this is an interesting topic that even I haven't thought all the way through, and it's worth some conversation.
This country was founded on a sense of patriotism and on Judeo-Christian principles. Thus the words "In God We Trust" on our money, taking the oath of office on a Bible, etc. Thus a flag of our nation was completely at home in our churches.
ReplyDeleteIn the last few years, however, in the so-called spirit of not offending anyone, we are in danger of not standing for anything.
A Mexican flag in our churches? Or a UN flag? Come on now. This is the United State of America, not the United States of Mexico and the United State of the World, much as some people would like our nation to be.
I find nothing wrong with the US flag in a church. It's kinda nice actually. It doesn't mean we worship that flag. It just means that we respect our the flag which represents the freedoms we enjoy (including the right to worship as we please) and the sacrifices that have been made to ensure those freedoms.
Just another example in my opinion of making a problem where there shouldn't be one - i.e. the few that want In God We Trust off our money, Under God out of our Pledge, and all other references to God out of our contry's institutions.
Face it. This is the United States, a wonderful great country, made so by the foundations laid by our forefathers. Other coutnries have other bases for their being. This is ours. It's working. Let's keep it.
I know of one branch of the Lutheran Church that doesn't fly the American flag at the alter. They also don't let their kids belong to the boy scouts or girl scouts. When I asked one of their pastors the reason for not lettint the kids join the scouts he admitted that he didn't know.
ReplyDelete