Depeche Mode
Muse
U2
The White Stripes
Coldplay
Radiohead
the Smashing Pumpkins (though I've seen them already)
It's not a band, but I'd love to see Sufjan Stevens live.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Flags in Church?
It is not uncommon at American churches to see an American flag. Sometimes the flag is flying out front. Sometimes its in the building. Sometimes the flag is even placed in the sanctuary, giving the appearance that it may somehow be part of the liturgy. This could be symbolic of the confused relationship of politics and faith in much of the Church.
In many ways, the Church has wrapped the Bible in the flag. (figuratively) It has molded the Christian faith into a sort of American faith. In one of my recent blogs, I discussed the idea that the United States is a "Christian nation". America isn't Christian. The ideals of America aren't God's ideals. Yet many try to fuse the two together. In this blog, I'm asking, is it appropriate for churches to display flags?
I have heard it said that many Christians have made the Bible the fourth member of the Trinity (because of the extreme emphasis on biblical inerrancy and infallibility, neither of which I believe in). I do agree that many Christians engage in Biblioatry (the nerdy way of saying many Christians worship the Bible). I also believe that many Christians have made the American flag the fifth member of the Trinity. The flag represents not only America, but democracy and capitalism. Many Christians treat America as God and democracy/capitalism as the savior of the world. When I listen to some Christians, it seems as though the words "free markets" have become a holy mantra.
Growing up in America has blinded Christians. Americans have been pounded over and over with the merits of capitalism, democracy, and the American way of life. This has happened so much that they bring this into their faith. An example is the healthcare. In polling, many conservative Christians say they believe healthcare is not a right, but a privilege. I don't see how any logical person could say that. But moreso, I don't know anyone who has read the Bible and says they're a Christian could say that. This shows how blind some Christians have become. Are some Christians really more concerned about keeping their money rather than making sure everyone has access to healthcare? That is not only outrageous, its anti-biblical. Another example is illegal immigration. The majority of illegal immigrants come to the United States to escape poverty. Illegal immigration is a bad thing (Though legal immigration is a very good thing; blog about that soon). But what's the focus of many conservative Christians? Stopping illegal immigration. It isn't the terrible, impoverished lives the people of Mexico are leading. They are so concerned about their own security and peace of mind that they are too busy to sympathize with the illegal immigrants as people are or understand the roots of the problem and what's causing it. It is their own lives, not the illegal immigrants, they are concerned about. The bible doesn't talk much about defending one's country, but it does talk over and over about helping the poor, lost, and exiled.
In its worst form, this nationalism has been transformed into racism. In the past, this racism has been against blacks or Native Americans. Now it has been transferred to Hispanics and Arabs. Many fervently promote jobs staying in America (especially factory jobs), as if Americans own the jobs or have some sort of right to them. What logic is there to this argument besides racism or nationalism? Many times when I've heard Christians promoting the War on Terror (even saying its God's will) there have been anti-Arab overtones. Jingoism is based in racism and nationalism. This is just one instance. Even with some good intentions Christians have often promoted racism. (Examples being Manifest Destiny, the enslavement of natives by conquistadors, the enslavements of blacks, or the destruction of Native American society, or the Crusades.)
Historically, every time church and state haven't been separated, it hasn't turned out well. Usually it leads to opression and death for many people. Politicians can easily use exploit religion for political goals, getting naive citizens to go along with them. (See rise of the Nazi party in Christian Germany). NO matter how great America may be, it is important to maintain a distinct separation of church and state.
As I've said America isn't perfect. Democracy isn't perfect. Because politicians are elected, it often leads to corruption and bribery. Often elected officials don't truly represent their citizens. Capitalism isn't perfect. Too often it's abused and leads to a few becoming wealthy and most being exploited. I'm not saying America is evil, democracy is evil, or capitalism is evil. They aren't. There is no perfect country or perfect political or economic system. Many Christians need to stop worshipping a certain country or political or economic system. They need to realize that no political system, no economic system, and no country can save the world. Only God can.
For this reason, I don't think flags should be displayed in church. I would prefer a globe, to remind churchgoers that God wants to change the world. Not through a country or an economic system or a political system, but through Jesus. To remind churchgoers that God cares about everyone in every country. I don't think its appropriate to sing patriotic songs in church. Most Americans have been raised with an ethnocentric worldview, but one of the most important points of Jesus' message is to transform that into a Godly worldview.
In many ways, the Church has wrapped the Bible in the flag. (figuratively) It has molded the Christian faith into a sort of American faith. In one of my recent blogs, I discussed the idea that the United States is a "Christian nation". America isn't Christian. The ideals of America aren't God's ideals. Yet many try to fuse the two together. In this blog, I'm asking, is it appropriate for churches to display flags?
I have heard it said that many Christians have made the Bible the fourth member of the Trinity (because of the extreme emphasis on biblical inerrancy and infallibility, neither of which I believe in). I do agree that many Christians engage in Biblioatry (the nerdy way of saying many Christians worship the Bible). I also believe that many Christians have made the American flag the fifth member of the Trinity. The flag represents not only America, but democracy and capitalism. Many Christians treat America as God and democracy/capitalism as the savior of the world. When I listen to some Christians, it seems as though the words "free markets" have become a holy mantra.
Growing up in America has blinded Christians. Americans have been pounded over and over with the merits of capitalism, democracy, and the American way of life. This has happened so much that they bring this into their faith. An example is the healthcare. In polling, many conservative Christians say they believe healthcare is not a right, but a privilege. I don't see how any logical person could say that. But moreso, I don't know anyone who has read the Bible and says they're a Christian could say that. This shows how blind some Christians have become. Are some Christians really more concerned about keeping their money rather than making sure everyone has access to healthcare? That is not only outrageous, its anti-biblical. Another example is illegal immigration. The majority of illegal immigrants come to the United States to escape poverty. Illegal immigration is a bad thing (Though legal immigration is a very good thing; blog about that soon). But what's the focus of many conservative Christians? Stopping illegal immigration. It isn't the terrible, impoverished lives the people of Mexico are leading. They are so concerned about their own security and peace of mind that they are too busy to sympathize with the illegal immigrants as people are or understand the roots of the problem and what's causing it. It is their own lives, not the illegal immigrants, they are concerned about. The bible doesn't talk much about defending one's country, but it does talk over and over about helping the poor, lost, and exiled.
In its worst form, this nationalism has been transformed into racism. In the past, this racism has been against blacks or Native Americans. Now it has been transferred to Hispanics and Arabs. Many fervently promote jobs staying in America (especially factory jobs), as if Americans own the jobs or have some sort of right to them. What logic is there to this argument besides racism or nationalism? Many times when I've heard Christians promoting the War on Terror (even saying its God's will) there have been anti-Arab overtones. Jingoism is based in racism and nationalism. This is just one instance. Even with some good intentions Christians have often promoted racism. (Examples being Manifest Destiny, the enslavement of natives by conquistadors, the enslavements of blacks, or the destruction of Native American society, or the Crusades.)
Historically, every time church and state haven't been separated, it hasn't turned out well. Usually it leads to opression and death for many people. Politicians can easily use exploit religion for political goals, getting naive citizens to go along with them. (See rise of the Nazi party in Christian Germany). NO matter how great America may be, it is important to maintain a distinct separation of church and state.
As I've said America isn't perfect. Democracy isn't perfect. Because politicians are elected, it often leads to corruption and bribery. Often elected officials don't truly represent their citizens. Capitalism isn't perfect. Too often it's abused and leads to a few becoming wealthy and most being exploited. I'm not saying America is evil, democracy is evil, or capitalism is evil. They aren't. There is no perfect country or perfect political or economic system. Many Christians need to stop worshipping a certain country or political or economic system. They need to realize that no political system, no economic system, and no country can save the world. Only God can.
For this reason, I don't think flags should be displayed in church. I would prefer a globe, to remind churchgoers that God wants to change the world. Not through a country or an economic system or a political system, but through Jesus. To remind churchgoers that God cares about everyone in every country. I don't think its appropriate to sing patriotic songs in church. Most Americans have been raised with an ethnocentric worldview, but one of the most important points of Jesus' message is to transform that into a Godly worldview.
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