I'll be honest in saying that I had no idea that there was a quasi-official "Christian flag" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Flag). While familiar with some denominational flags (e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Flag#/media/File:Flag_of_the_US_Episcopal_Church.svg), I didn't know that there was a long-time movement for common flag for Christianity. Huh.
Be that as it may, I'm not sure which I find more odious/amusing, the elevation of religious law over civil law in this particular pastor's protest, or the outraged, nigh-idolatrous totemification of the American flag among some who disagree with him (i.e., that it's not about whether the pastor's position is right or wrong but that IT'S AN INSULT TO OLD GLORY AND ALL OUR MILITARY VETERANS!!!!).
Originally shared by +David Badash:
Baptist Pastor Sparks Movement To Fly Christian Flag Over American Flag To Protest Same-Sex Marriage
An anti-gay North Carolina activist pastor is working to get churches to fly the Christian flag over the U.S. flag to protest same-sex marriage.
It's on private property, so… meh.
Few countries seem to be as flag mad as the USA, but AIUI it is drilled into kids at quite a young age.
One of my favorite trivia facts: Number of US laws regarding the proper display, handling and "prioritization" of the US flag: 0.
So the rules for flag etiquette are pretty much defined by "Did i piss off somebody with a propensity for violence?"
Boggles
Wow, shocked you did not know that since it's pretty much in every Protestant church I've been in.
+Stan Pedzick Well, I grew up Catholic, then changed to Episcopalian, and both of those have their own flaggy and iconic bits.
+George Wiman Oh, I don't have a problem with dude doing it per se. I find the message annoying, but that's a different matter.
+Greg Stockton Not completely true. The US Code has sections on proper flag use, though not with any criminal or civil penalties involved.
In this case, Title 36, ch. 10, sec. 175 http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html#175
(c) No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy.
So an interesting exception there related to religious services (though in part that would be providing ship status to others).
Hmm. Same stuff here, different cite: 4 US Code sec.7
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/7
The pastor has every right to fly those flags in the manner as he has done and on many levels from property rights to religious freedom. Unless you have a DD214 you have no standing to state that it was any insult to any vet. Should you be a vet yourself you only have the right to your own opinion. Just in case you are wondering I do have that piece of paper and campaign medal and I find no insult. Therefore your statement above is of no fact.
+Mr Bill SC Actually, it wasn't my statement, but a snarky reference to people who are having that reaction, as if a perceived sleight to a fetishized American flag is of greater import than the message the pastor is giving.
And, yes, I agree (as noted above) that he has every right to do so.
He certainly is within his rights to be a Richard. He’s managed it quite well.
+Dave Hill It did not sound like your normal posts. Sorry if I misread. I hereby transfer to the multitudes of snarky self entitled assholes who have had nothing of their own opinions as their guiding light and may they choke on them. To you Pax Vobiscom and to them Pox Vobiscom. Looking forward to see your postings.