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Does the American flag belong in church?

post #1 of 10
7/29/08 at 8:54am
Thread Starter 
New York - I've attended church weekly all my life, and virtually every congregation with whom I've worshipped displays an American flag. It often stands close to the communion table, probably a church's most sacred spot. Some denominations even recite the Pledge of Allegiance – multiple times. One church I visited in the Midwest began Sunday School with the Pledge but apparently lacked faith it would stick. We interrupted morning worship with another recitation.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20080728...mQAyE4OzEDW7oF

It doesn't really affect me, but I thought others would be interested. I found myself agreeing with parts of this essay as an atheist - especially about preaching from the puplit on political candidates. Two people can be strong Christians and have vast differences politically.

I wonder where the writer got her figure of 70 million Christians being executed due to their faith since 33 A.D. She must be including the Inquistion, the Crusades, and other post Christianity's takeover of Europe events. Because not that many followers of Zeus or Jupiter have been around in a long time.
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post #2 of 10
7/29/08 at 10:00am

Re: Does the American flag belong in church?

We have the American flag and the Christian flag in our church. It is just to honor our country, not to make a political statement. We don't say the Pledge of Allegiance in our church. We stick mainly to singing, praying and listening to the sermon.

Our preacher doesn't talk politics. No need to. He's only there to preach from the Bible. The only time he says anything politic related is when we pray for the leaders of our country (no matter who they are) or when he requests volunteers to be hosts on voting days since our church is a polling place. That's about it. No persuasion to vote for one cadidate or the other.
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post #3 of 10
7/29/08 at 10:52am

Re: Does the American flag belong in church?

Our church is the same as Cheryl's. We are not a polling place, but our pastor does encourage us to vote. He doesn't tell us who to vote for or how to vote, just to exercise our right to do so. Our pastor always reminds us to be thankful to be Americans because it's a priviledge to be able to openly worship (or not worship) the savior of your choice.
In the Christian faith, we are instructed to follow and abide by the laws of our country until they diverge from Biblical law, so I am sure that is why churches have the American flag displayed. It's out of respect for our country, its leaders, and to honor our country.
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post #4 of 10
7/29/08 at 11:31am
Thread Starter 

Re: Does the American flag belong in church?

I never thought much about it. I don't think I've even had a minister in a church I have attended regularily even ask me to vote. I know that major policiting does go one in some churches.
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post #5 of 10
7/29/08 at 7:19pm

Re: Does the American flag belong in church?

We have the the American flag displayed alongside the Christian flag and our church flag at our church. Mike and I also have a 20 ft flag pole in our front yard that fly the American flag and the Christian flag on. To us, as Christians, it is important. We believe our country was founded on Christian principles and therefore our country and our patriotic beliefs are important to us--never to overshadow our belief in our Savior or the Great Commission. Our preacher does not tell us who to vote for either. We do, however, include our country's, state's and local leaders on our weekly prayer sheets.

On a side note, when I teach Beginners Church (4 & 5 year olds) I begin with the Pledge of Allegience, then the Pledge to the Christian Flag and then the Pledge to the Bible. I also do all three with my own kids before bed. We only say the Pledge as a congregation on patriotic holidays that I can remember.
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post #6 of 10
7/30/08 at 4:19pm

Re: Does the American flag belong in church?

The church we attended as a family never had an American flag (Catholic), but many of the other churches I went to did - Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, etc. Guess it depends on the church. I never had a priest or minister telling us to vote for anyone, let alone a particular candidate. We did have our priest ask us to pray for those in other countries - both our troops and those who were being ravaged by war.

But it does seem a bit strange now that I think about it. What happened to the seperation of church and state? You can have an American flag in church, but you can't have the Ten Commandments in a Federal building. Sounds like a double standard to me.
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post #7 of 10
7/31/08 at 7:31am

Re: Does the American flag belong in church?

Quote:
I've attended church weekly all my life
I'm still getting over the shock of thinking Grace had said that

I have no opinion on the matter as I do not attend church.
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post #8 of 10
7/31/08 at 8:21am
Thread Starter 

Re: Does the American flag belong in church?

When I was a Christian, I was quite devout. The difference is churches are in no way forced to put up an American flag. Some churches do not have them. Going to church or not is a choice. Going into a federal building is manditory for all people in different situations. IE a courthouse or the post office. The church can and maybe should take down the flag and if they do, there will be no legal ramifications. The government will not be suing churches to put the flag back up.
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post #9 of 10
7/31/08 at 10:34am

Re: Does the American flag belong in church?

I actually like the American Flag being in the church. Why should they take it down? It isn't hurting anything and it really is a way of showing patriotism and honoring our country. I look at it as supporting our soldiers (Christians and non-Christians) who help our country to continue having the freedom of religion. So the American Flag is a symbol for that freedom and other freedoms as well.
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post #10 of 10
8/3/08 at 7:17pm

Re: Does the American flag belong in church?

We had a flag in the church I grew up in, but not in the churches we have been visiting lately. I thought it was very honoring to have it in church.
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