Churches and synagogues are joining the flag-waving and patriotism that have
swept the country since the Sept. 11 attacks in Washington and New York City.
Huge flags can be seen outside church buildings and on walls
inside worship areas and even on the altar in at least one Boston Roman Catholic
church.
Churches and synagogues are joining the flag-waving and patriotism that have
swept the country since the Sept. 11 attacks in Washington and New York City.
Huge flags can be seen outside church buildings and on walls
inside worship areas and even on the altar in at least one Boston Roman Catholic
church.
Religious services these days often end with “God Bless
America” or other patriotic songs. “We recite the Pledge of Allegiance,
sing patriotic songs in the service and present the colors,” said the Rev.
Keenan Roberts, associate pastor at Abundant Life Christian Center in Arvada,
Colo.
In addition, workers hung a huge flag on the side of the church
building in late September so it will be visible to motorists. The church also
has put red, white and blue floodlights behind the altar. “Christians should
be patriotic in the land they enjoy living in,” Roberts emphasized. “This
nation was founded on godly principles.”
Some churches and synagogues always have had American flags
and sometimes religious flags on poles at the front of the worship area. But
the revived patriotism of recent days has resulted in much more visible flag
displays.
Riverside Baptist Church near the new Mile High Stadium in
Denver “has no problem with patriotism in the church,” Pastor Rick
Ferguson stressed.
Indeed, Ferguson said he plans to install a huge flag on the
side of the circular building so drivers passing on the freeway can see it.
The church always has a flag on the platform at the front of the sanctuary.
“Its important to get behind our government and pray for those who
lead us,” Ferguson said.
Maurice Gordon said he would like to buy an Old Glory as large
as the huge flags being flown on some of Denvers used car lots. Pastor
at Lovingway United Pentecostal Church, Gordon said he would fly it outside
or on top of the church.
However, he draws the line at flags inside the sanctuary, or
worship area. “We wouldnt have anything in the sanctuary to detract
from what were about,” he said.
“A sanctuary is just that. We are to focus on the word
of God in the sanctuary and leave worldly things behind.”
Others draw the line sooner.
“I dont view the flag as a Christian symbol,”
said Phil Campbell, pastor at Park Hill Congregational Church. “Its
confusing to people and not helpful to mix patriotism with religion. I dont
see God as for or against any nation, or identified at all with any particular
nation.”
At Temple Emmanuel in Denver, a small candle sits on the pulpit,
surrounded by flags to remind persons of the loss of life related to the September
11 terrorist attacks on America, Rabbi Steven Foster said.
However, Muslims do not display flags in mosques, said Mohamad
Jodeh, a member of the Colorado Muslim society advisory board. “A mosque
has no borders,” he noted. “We are loyal to God. We are American Muslims,
but we believe loyalty to a country should be separate from loyalty to God.”
Even so, leaders did put a sign on the road where the mosque
is located, featuring a flag and an expression of sympathy for the victims of
the terrorist attacks.
In turn, the U.S. Catholic bishops have issued a statement
saying the American flag should not be placed on the altar or anyplace in that
immediate area, suggesting the church entryway instead. However, they said local
bishops can make the final decisions in their dioceses.
“We never put a countrys flags in our church,”
said Constantine Pavlakos, dean of Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Denver.
“We have 15 countries represented in our congregation. Wed have to
put up a lot of flags.”
However, flags in other parts of the building are acceptable,
Pavlakos acknowledged.
Religion and patriotism have “been historically intertwined,”
said Carl Raschke, a professor of religious studies at the University of Denver.
“It doesnt mean that churches necessarily support all political leaders.
But the Bible warns against making an idol out of any wars, and political ends
shouldnt be confused with spiritual aims.”
Churches and other religious buildings can do whatever they
want about flags, acknowledged Daniel Lynch, author of “Church, State and
Constitution.”
“But it can be risky mixing patriotism and devotion to
God,” Lynch cautioned.
“God is not on the side of any one country.” (RNS)