Just Nuts

[benedictine]

So we carried the American Flag in procession today. The Priest got upset, becouse tommorrow is July 4th, not today. The flag was carried in, but not carried out, becouse the MLC didn't think it would be a good thing to carry it out, since the priest didn't like it. So, afterwards, he comes up and gets upset becouse we carried it in, but not out.



And, here's the thing: The FIRST thing in his homily was the declaration of independence.:doh:

[Mysterium_Fidei]

Oh! Sounds pretty confusing, hopefully the congregation didn't think too much of it.
Sorry that happened.

[AveMaria]

Oh dear, what a madhouse!

I'll admit, I don't like seeing national flags in churches or carried in religious processions - it gives me the creeps!

[SeenAndUnseen]

I am also sorry that happened. Wow, it sounds quite awkward.

(AveMaria -- I love your avatar! :bow: )

[benedictine]

"The Force will be with you.......... Always."

[PaladinValer]

Picky, picky priest.

Actually, according to ECUSA canon, carrying the flag on this official holy day in our province is fine. Why? Holy days' observence can be transferred to I believe the closest Sunday.

You have my sympothies, Benedictine. Your priest seems to be out of line and, yes, quite illogical. While I'd agree that wisdom trumps intelligence and is the most important atribute of a cleric, intelligence shouldn't be brushed aside either.

Perhaps the priest needs to reroll his/her intelligence score? :P

[SirTimothy]

I personally would have an issue with ANY country's flag being in procession. Simply because it would imply that the priest in charge agreed with everything that that country has and will stand for. And I've yet to meet any country I could say that I would be prepared to let my priest make that kind of statement. Yet referring to the Declaration of Independence, which I DEFINITELY agree with (although not the means used to get it with) is fine.

Timothy

[higgs2]

I'll admit, I don't like seeing national flags in churches or carried in religious processions - it gives me the creeps!

I agree!!

[svdbygrace]

Gives me the creeps too. :eek:



Oh dear, what a madhouse!

I'll admit, I don't like seeing national flags in churches or carried in religious processions - it gives me the creeps!

[Albion]

We, as Anglicans, pray for our leaders and respect the countries that exercise a God-given role in preserving order. To think that a flag and respect for it means believing every last thing that the country's leaders do is "just nuts." The country is more than that.

[romaneagle13]

We, as Anglicans, pray for our leaders and respect the countries that exercise a God-given role in preserving order. To think that a flag and respect for it means believing every last thing that the country's leaders do is "just nuts." The country is more than that.

I agree with Albion. Why is it so bad to honor one's country in church--especially the US in an Episcopal Church. After all, most of the founding fathers of the US were Anglicans. the ECUSA is just that--the Episcopal Church of the United States of America. It is an American Church. The flag reminds us that this country was founded on Christian ideals by Christian men, despite the fact that the courts seem bent on removing all reminders of God's presence in secular and political life. So many of our patriotic songs combine love of God with love of country (God bless America, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, America the beautiful). We need to take back our patriotism and proudly remind others that God has something to do with that. God needs to have a place in our country!

[PaladinValer]

Most of the signers of the Constitution were Anglican. Most of the actual Founding Fathers weren't Christians at all.

[benedictine]

More Presidents have been Episcopalian than anything else. YEt, among young young people, we now have about 2%. (according to a liberal newspaper)

[svdbygrace]

IMO some people go way overboard with patriotism. In some cases i've seen entire "worship services" centered around country, not God.

[Albion]

IMO some people go way overboard with patriotism. In some cases i've seen entire "worship services" centered around country, not God.

I'd tend to agree with you there, but what we've been looking at here is way, way, different from that!

[Albion]

But my point was also that in the Holy Communion liturgy we pray for those in civil authority. It has nothing to do with their party affiliation or own religious membership--we pray for them.

To shut out every reference to country or society in other ways while we do this and also while we are hearing sermons on the great issues of the day makes no sense.

[gitlance]

We didn't carry ours out after Mass...

[benedictine]

I'm not as upset with him about it being transfered/not transferred, as I am with his hypocrisy.

[Albion]

I'm not as upset with him about it being transfered/not transferred, as I am with his hypocrisy.

I agree completely on that score. What he did is hard to understand. Is he usually one to fuss over little procedural things or think of the church building as his own living room? Some rectors get that way.