Flags in churches - what are your thoughts pro or con?

personally, I'm almost willing to accept the Christian flag or the UN flag.

I will definitely admit the earth flag or a United Federation of Planets flag in the sanctuary (because, come on, there just isn't enough Star Trek in our Christian worship).

But national and state flags, absolutely not. I used to be okay with the idea, but 9-11 and, later, seeing pictures of the Nazi flag in churches in Germany, I am now absolutely opposed to flags in the sanctuary. My church in Brooklyn put a flag in the sanctuary for just the first Sunday after 9-11, and I thought that was appropriate - but thankfully, it was just that one Sunday.

If I were in charge of a church, I'd never allow a flag in the sanctuary. Not even on July 4 weekend. I'd never allow patriotic music, either.

The sanctuary is God's home, God's space, and belongs not to the soil of the country in which it happens to be located.

At the time I never gave it a second thought. But then, I grew up with a heavy dose of "doing your duty to Godden country." Took a long time, and seeing it in print, to realize what they were really saying.

I almost never set foot inside a "normal" church nowadays, but if I did and saw a flag there, I'd be tempted to say, "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and this sanctuary ain't Caesar's."

Because God loves the whole world, and I think s/he ain't too fond of America right now.

But sometimes you have to pick your battles. At Christmas a few years ago, the flags were moved to the side of the sanctuary (near the bifold doors), and they haven't found their way back up front.

Yeah, I re-arrange the furniture, too. Got rid of the big ugly pulpit, and moved the smaller lectern in it's place. I don't preach from there - I tend to wander through the sanctuary, making sure nobody's fallen asleep. :)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2004996#2005055

That said, I don't necessarily like flags in church. In Christianity, there are no boundaries. But now I'm thinking about it, I think the US and state flag have always been in my church, and I just don't really notice them.

However, some people are fanatical about them, about the placement, which flag goes on the left or right, etc...

I had one friend in seminary who kept moving the flags out of the sanctuary into the fellowship hall. He said that every week, someone would move them back... and he'd drag them back out again. This went on for months. :crazy:

but not in the Sanctuary.

Mostly the Boy Scouts used it. Otherwise it just sat in the corner and nobody made a big deal out of it.

Of course, they not only have the US flag on the stage but they have just about every other national flag hanging from the ceiling. It's actually a pretty cool way of reminding people of the global nature of our faith. I would have been even more impressed if the US flag had just simply been one of the many hanging from the ceiling instead of being bigger and set apart on the stage, but that was actually one of the least problems with that church. I'm SO glad we're not there anymore.

My church now has no flags anywhere. It's really nice. I agree with Rabrrrrrr--patriotism shouldn't be tied to our faith like that. I never really did understand why it was, though I grew up that way.

you're right-- the church is a spiritual place, and flags represent temporal concerns. God is not the God of nations, but of the earth without borders.

Now, maybe the display of flags of all nations, or some flags that fit some criteria (what that could be I hesitate to suggest) might be appropriate in some display in other areas of the church-- maybe an educational display in Sunday school, or a Boy Scout flag if the church sponsors a troop. But any suggestion of flaggery in the sanctuary or entrances where they impinge on worship is just wrong as I see it.

I don't buy the flag for 9/11 remembrance. Why not, then, a Sudanese flag for the horrors of Darfur, or a Lebanese flag... The city flag of New Orleans? The church is not a place for patriotic memories, but for thoughts of universal peace and understanding.

National flags are primarily military banners, no matter how many of them fly over homes and auto repair shops, and bringing them into the church stirs passions that just don't belong there.

over the church

we also have a small gay pride flag in the narthex

I don't mind it

Every church I've ever served has had US flags in the sanctuary--including this self-styled "progressive" church. Clergy of earlier generations never raised any questions about it, so everyone thinks it's fine. The church where I served in Iowa would probably have been willing to enter into a thoughtful discussion of the issue (so why didn't I approach it..hmmm). But here, I'd almost certainly lose my job if I even suggested it. Of course, some days, I'm not sure losing my job here would be such a bad thing.

Then move them to the back of the sanctuary, or even out of it altogether. Then wait and see if anyone notices they're missing.

That's what happened here. O8)

Our last church had a couple of handmade quilts up on the wall. Each square was done by someone different, and pictured something about their heritage. Pretty cool.

I don't recall an American flag, but I might just be oblivious to it.

they would look so nice in my apartment

:rofl:

of my Mennonite church. All the Mennonites were fine with that, "as long as they don't put a flag in the sanctuary!" (Traditionally and as an article of faith, Mennonites believe in a strict separation of church and state.)

Comparing the church I attend with the Congregational church I grew up in, I wonder if some congregations have flags because they don't use banners and other decorations. My congregation has some people who are really talented with display so we always have some really great visual focal points - but we're on the liberal side of the Mennonite spectrum.

Anyway, it's interesting in our parking lot to see compact cars with "God Bless Everyone - No Exceptions" bumper stickers next to SUVs with "Support Our Troops" ribbons. And our foyer with fliers for speakers about conscientious objection across from fliers for "America's Kids" vacation Bible school.