I would so hate to see people break fellowship over this issue.  I don't see
the Us flag as a Christian symbol, just as a sign of freedom, religious
freedom was one of  the main reasons people originally came to this country.

I can't even imagine how a wife, or mother or sister  or brother or father
feels who has a family member serving in a far away place...guess it must
seem like a thankless job at times! 
Rhonda

-----Original Message-----
From: The Electronic Church [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Kathy Du Bois
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 3:04 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Church controversy again

Okay Phil,
         I'm sorry for picking your brain so much on this issue, but 
how do you deal with the first commandment, basically Exodus 20:3-6 
in  regards to this issue?  If these guys are willing to break 
fellowship over this issue, isn't it understandable that we may 
question their allegiance to the body of Christ?  You see the 
American flag as a Christian symbol, but in truth, is it 
really?  That's an interpretation that can be put on it, but in 
truth, isn't it  a secular symbol for a secular form of government 
which is supposed to protect both freedom of speech and freedom of 
religion.  As much as we would like the U.S. to be a Christian 
nation, I can't say, in all honesty, that it is.  Church and state 
were separated near the beginning of our country's history, thanks to 
Thomas Jefferson.  If they are separated, can we really call it a 
Christian nation and keep the two separate?  I know that it was 
founded on godly and biblical principles, but would the founding 
fathers even approve of the title "Christian nation?"  I mean, I know 
that they all believed in the existance of God, but isn't there some 
question as to whether or not they were all Christians?
         Sorry, I don't mean to be picky, or stupid, but I'm really 
not getting this.  You definitely have a different point of view from 
me and I do want to understand.
Kathy


At 01:22 PM 4/24/2006, you wrote:
>Kathy,
>
>I realize the words, under God, were added later.  In fact, the original
>pledge of allegiance hardly looks anything like what we have today.  My
>answer is, no, it wouldn't change my mind.  The U S flag, is my way of
>thinking, it completely unique because, this entire country was founded on
>Biblical principles for Biblical reasons.  I know aspects of that statement
>can be argued until the cows come home, too.  Regardless, it is true this
>nation began by those who wished to worship God individually rather than by
>state rule.  Perhaps I am too patriotic in my view.  I grew up in churches
>with both flags displayed so call me old fashion, too.  Just call me old
for
>that matter.  I don't personally feel the way the flags are displayed the
>way you have them now is worth a knock down drag out.  If it was a direct
>theological debate, man, I'd be right in the thick of the thing.  Honor the
>vets, if you can, but if your personal convictions tell you otherwise, then
>stand on your convictions.  If I were a member in your church, I wouldn't
>care if they were in the church or not, the flags, I mean.  Then again, I
am
>not a vet.  I don't know what it is like to fight, and die, for my country,
>or live as I watch my buddies die beside me.  The last church we were in,
>without flags by the way, had about four vets in it.  They were almost all
>in their seventies, except for the pastor and he was fifty.  Our Sunday
>school teacher was wounded twice in WW2 and had several metals.  I wish he
>were still alive because I would love asking him about this controversy
>because he was such a wise and reasonable man.  Plus, he knew what it was
>like to live, and watch others die, so we could have church freely every
>Sunday.  If the American flag means that to the vets in your church, I can
>certainly understand why they feel the way they do.  This whole thing is a
>very interesting dilemma since it crosses Biblical lines of beliefs while
at
>the same time including the idea that this country is free because of that
>flag.  Man, what a controversy to try and unravel.  Call me a
>sentimentalist, but I put vets in an elite class of their own.  They make
>Sunday morning church possible in my book.  Without them, I honestly
believe
>there would be no churches in this country.  At the same time, the
Christian
>flag has meaning that is beyond imagination.  Many Christians have given
>their lives for what they believed, too, and that makes the foundation of
>the church mighty strong.  So, it beats me what to do.  In God we Trust,
>Under god?  Pretty important words for all the darkness this country lives
>in but I know unsaved, non born again vets, who would freely and easily
give
>their lives again to fight that those words would stay right where they
are.
>That attitude I cannot explain nor understand but I know it is true from
>what they believe.  They believe this is a Christian nation and will die to
>keep it that way and most of them likely have never seen a Christian flag.
>It puts me in mind of those who died on September eleventh.  They died,
>jumping from buildings, burning to death in building, being crushed to
death
>in buildings, and dying in crashing airplanes because they were Americans
>and not because they were Christians.  I can identify, and do identify,
with
>them in New York at the Trade Towers because I, too, am an American.  Yes,
>the terroest hate Christians but they hate American more because in their
>twisted way of thinking, Americans are Christians.  I'll die with the
>Americans, if it comes down to that, because I am a Christian.  So which
>came first?  The chicken or the egg?  Ask the pastor which ain't me.  I'm
>just a member of the Body of christ.  I have a feeling, though, that vets
>view the American flag as something Christian.  they don't worship it but
>they do respect it because it means freedom and liberty and the opportunity
>to go to church.
>
>Phil.