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Should Churches Display National Flags?

Geoist

Geoist

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As a Christian I object to reciting the pledge of allegiance, "honoring" the flag, or any similar acts of nationalism for a couple reasons:

1.) It sends the message of devoting oneself to a government, even if that government's actions go against the teachings of Jesus Christ

2.) These patriotic rituals often cross the line of pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness, characteristics that the Bible speaks out against

I recently attended a church that had a US flag on display in the sanctuary but no cross (though there was one outside). While national flags certainly have their place in society, should it really be in a church? I would be especially curious to hear the opinion of anyone who works at a church or any other place of worship.
 
Should they display the flag
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Short answer? If they want to.


Longer answer: American churches are often very patriotic, particularly the more conservative ones. Many American Christians feel that America is a special nation that has received special blessings from God, and that patriotism and Christianity go hand-in-hand in this country.

Addendum: I think this practice had its beginnings in the Revolutionary War, but really ramped up during the Cold War against the Godless Commies.

Addendum to the addendum: In recent years I've begun to question whether pledging allegiance to the flag could be construed as a form of idolatry... it is, after all, just a symbol, a material object and not the reality of the nation. No strong feelings on that really though. I've also begun to question whether the United States is still under God's special blessings, or whether our national decadence has brought a disapproving scowl to the unviewable visage of the Almighty...


Well to each his own.
 
Geoist said:
As a Christian I object to reciting the pledge of allegiance, "honoring" the flag, or any similar acts of nationalism for a couple reasons:

1.) It sends the message of devoting oneself to a government, even if that government's actions go against the teachings of Jesus Christ

2.) These patriotic rituals often cross the line of pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness, characteristics that the Bible speaks out against

I recently attended a church that had a US flag on display in the sanctuary but no cross (though there was one outside). While national flags certainly have their place in society, should it really be in a church? I would be especially curious to hear the opinion of anyone who works at a church or any other place of worship.
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What does your "Libertarian-Left" side of you feel about this subject?
 
Geoist said:
As a Christian I object to reciting the pledge of allegiance, "honoring" the flag, or any similar acts of nationalism for a couple reasons:

1.) It sends the message of devoting oneself to a government, even if that government's actions go against the teachings of Jesus Christ

2.) These patriotic rituals often cross the line of pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness, characteristics that the Bible speaks out against

I recently attended a church that had a US flag on display in the sanctuary but no cross (though there was one outside). While national flags certainly have their place in society, should it really be in a church? I would be especially curious to hear the opinion of anyone who works at a church or any other place of worship.
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It's up to the individual churches.
 
Geoist said:
Of course they could if they want to. I am asking if it is consistent with Biblical teachings.
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That depends on individual interpretations of the Bible.
 
Geoist said:
Of course they could if they want to. I am asking if it is consistent with Biblical teachings.
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I think Biblical teachings are inherently subjective and up for interpretation, so my simple answer is "I don't know" or "it depends on what you believe."
 
Geoist said:
Of course they could if they want to. I am asking if it is consistent with Biblical teachings.
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consistent with biblical teachings. I've found the bible is often largely ignored in favor of a few quotes contained therein. what biblical teachings are we talking about, in particular?
 
Goshin said:
Longer answer: American churches are often very patriotic, particularly the more conservative ones. Many American Christians feel that America is a special nation that has received special blessings from God, and that patriotism and Christianity go hand-in-hand in this country.
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I would then make the argument that the US government is still a human institution with faults and unworthy of being put on a pedestal in the same way we do with Jesus Christ.

Addendum: I think this practice had its beginnings in the Revolutionary War, but really ramped up during the Cold War against the Godless Commies.
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Actually, I think it was very rare for US churches to display the flag, at least until the Civil War.


Well to each his own.
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True. Each place of worship must make its own decisions on whether to include the flag. I just know that I probably would not be a member of a church that does so.
 
roflpublican said:
consistent with biblical teachings. I've found the bible is often largely ignored in favor of a few quotes contained therein. what biblical teachings are we talking about, in particular?
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Doesn't the Bible state that the church is to be a place of worship? A cross symbolizes glory to God. But a flag glorifies a nation, not God.
 
samsmart said:
That depends on individual interpretations of the Bible.
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Yes, but I believe a strong case can be made opposing national flags in churches.
 
Geoist said:
Doesn't the Bible state that the church is to be a place of worship? A cross symbolizes glory to God. But a flag glorifies a nation, not God.
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Actually a cross, crucifix, statue or other symbol can be an object of idolatry as easily as a flag. God is not supposed to be depicted or represented by any symbol or graven image. If people focus excessively on any symbol, even a cross, that could cross the line into idolatry.
 
If a symbol detracts from the glorification of God, then it is idolatrous. By combining nationalism and religion, you've done so. Plus, Jews and Israel are Gods chosen people and country, to say otherwise is a direct contradiction of the bible.
 
Goshin said:
Actually a cross, crucifix, statue or other symbol can be an object of idolatry as easily as a flag. God is not supposed to be depicted or represented by any symbol or graven image. If people focus excessively on any symbol, even a cross, that could cross the line into idolatry.
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Very true. Personally, I am not completely opposed to iconography but a cross could definitely become an object of idolatry. However, I am also not completely opposed to the national flag. I just believe its placement within the house of God is inappropriate.
 
Geoist said:
As a Christian I object to reciting the pledge of allegiance, "honoring" the flag, or any similar acts of nationalism for a couple reasons:

1.) It sends the message of devoting oneself to a government, even if that government's actions go against the teachings of Jesus Christ

2.) These patriotic rituals often cross the line of pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness, characteristics that the Bible speaks out against

I recently attended a church that had a US flag on display in the sanctuary but no cross (though there was one outside). While national flags certainly have their place in society, should it really be in a church? I would be especially curious to hear the opinion of anyone who works at a church or any other place of worship.
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Like a lot of things involving religion, I think it really depends on the religion. You pointed out a couple of things in the bible that would tend to cut against the notion that a Christian church should be displaying a flag, but I imagine there are various denominations that have their own ideas about the relationship between religious and civic culture (the guy Michelle Bachmann studied under is a prime example). I generally think religion is kind of insane, but people will believe what they want to believe; and if displaying a national flag is consistent with their beliefs, then why shouldn't they?
 
I remember viewing a picture of a church from 1930s/40s Germany that had a Nazi flag spread across the communion table. Of course, we would see such a thing today as blasphemous but the people at that time did not believe so. They saw loyalty to their country and to God as something that went hand-in-hand.

Of course, I am not saying the US government is anywhere close to as bad as the Nazis, only that our earthly allegiances should be kept separate from religious ones.
 
Aderleth said:
Like a lot of things involving religion, I think it really depends on the religion. You pointed out a couple of things in the bible that would tend to cut against the notion that a Christian church should be displaying a flag, but I imagine there are various denominations that have their own ideas about the relationship between religious and civic culture (the guy Michelle Bachmann studied under is a prime example). I generally think religion is kind of insane, but people will believe what they want to believe; and if displaying a national flag is consistent with their beliefs, then why shouldn't they?
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And they should be free to do so. But at the same time I think healthy debate over how we worship (if we choose to worship) can be a good thing.
 
Geoist said:
And they should be free to do so. But at the same time I think healthy debate over how we worship (if we choose to worship) can be a good thing.
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Fair enough. I'll probably have to opt out of that conversation, what the whole non-believer issue and all. :)
 
Geoist said:
And they should be free to do so. But at the same time I think healthy debate over how we worship (if we choose to worship) can be a good thing.
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I would agree that excessive nationalism within the sanctuary of the church could be inappropriate. The question then becomes defining "excessive".
 
I find it hard to imagine how an omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent being is in any way de-glorified by a thin piece of cloth tied to a metal stick.
 
roflpublican said:
I find it hard to imagine how an omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent being is in any way de-glorified by a thin piece of cloth tied to a metal stick.
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One could say the same over a golden calf. :)
 
It doesn't bother me in the least. Actually, it's probably a positive thing that they do, as it seems to represent that they consider themselves members (and loyal to) their fellow citizens in addition to their religion, rather than dividing their loyalties between church group and nation group.
 
Goshin said:
Actually a cross, crucifix, statue or other symbol can be an object of idolatry as easily as a flag. God is not supposed to be depicted or represented by any symbol or graven image. If people focus excessively on any symbol, even a cross, that could cross the line into idolatry.
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True. In the eyes of true Christians there is A cross and then there is THE cross........the only one that truly matters. :shrug:
 
Legally, of course, they should every right to.

Theologically, that would depend on the church. I don't think a Christian church or a Muslim church would be within the bounds of their doctrine to do so-- they are universalist churches, meant to cut across all national borders and to be welcoming to human beings of every nation.

Jew churches and the various heathen churches are a different matter, because those are tribal faiths. A Jew church flying the Israeli flag, a Hindu church flying the Indian flag, or a Shinto church flying the Japanese flag... they are proclaiming theological truths about their faith and their heritage. Unless you belong to those nations, you are not welcome, and you will not be welcome until you have earned your welcome by proving your devotion to those nations above and beyond the duties of a native son.
 
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