+HRC
Should the Church Wave the Flag?
The trend picked up steam in World War II, when the Italians too were suspected and so had to declare their loyalty. The flag issue became universal during the Cold War when everyone was expected to rally around the nation in its fight against its foreign adversaries.
But looking in back in time to the 18th century and before, to say nothing of the European middle ages and back before the invention of the very idea of the nation state, this entire project would have been completely unknown: the Church nowhere swears allegiance to the state and Christians are citizens first of a universal kingdom with a ruler chosen from all eternity.
Their vows are made unto the Lord, which is precisely why intellectuals like Rousseau said that the Christians make such bad citizens. He was right about that, if by citizens you mean a person whose loyalties are first owed to the civic collective.
Today, however, people think nothing about singing hymns of praise to the state in the very hallowed halls of the Church: America the Beautiful, The Star Spangled Banner, and more. A house of worship in my own town enjoys unfurling the largest American flag I've ever seen and pasting it on the side of the building, oblivious the reality of the intellectual and theological dangers here.
In recent times, very recent times, the Catholic Church in the U.S. has been singled out for special pressure from courts and judges, and this has changed many aspects of parish management in ways that truly do represent an intrusion of politics and state issues in a sacred space. This is a tragedy that is gravely regrettable, even deeply threatening, and one that should not go unnoticed.
However, the Church, as Pope Benedict XVI has written, does not derive its legitimacy or rights from secular or civil sources; its existence transcends time and place and its legitimacy is internally confirmed. Its liturgy should and must represent an exit from temporality and political issues and enter touch elements of eternity: this is where all its art and furnishings and music must point.
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Hence, there is a sense in which the worship space must be a sanctuary from the grittiness, cruelties, and manipulations of such issues as nationalism and profane forms of earthly patriotism which are all about celebrating the control by the coercive state. Never mind the true history of Independence Day, that the motivation for political secession from Britain was partially religious in nature.
That history aside, there is no mistaking the upshot of July 4 celebrations today. So why sing traditional patriotic songs at worship? Signs and symbols drawn from world profane politics constitute a distraction from this essential task at hand.
It is a special temptation when Sunday falls so close to July 4. Surely people should be permitted to express their seasonal enthusiasms? I don't think so. Nationalism is not part of the deepest Christian tradition. Conventional songs of secular-style patriotism cannot contribute to the liturgy but rather depart, even radically, from its spirit and intent.
July 4, 2009
Jeffrey Tucker [send him mail] is editorial vice president of www.Mises.org.
Copyright © 2009 by LewRockwell.com. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit is given.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/tucker/tucker159.html
Well there you go again. You gottes-crowd, always wanting to take things away from the people or force other things on them that are beyond the rubrics. And here, on our country's birthday quoting a papist to tear Old Glory out of our churches. There is no crypto-papism here, it is out in the open. Don't you know that you and your lackeys have no right to be doing this? Old Glory should be right up next to the altar with the Christian flag on the other side, that is the church that I know. Who do you think you are to try and take these things away? I suppose you'll tell us next that we shouldn't be pledging allegiance to both of the flags tomorrow in place of the creed. I'm sure Piepkorn is pleased with you, wherever he is.
ReplyDeleteThis is a pet peeve of mine. In fact, one year ago this weekend, this was the cause of my first visit to what is now my home parish. I wanted the Divine Service, and so I picked the congregation that (by their website) appeared least likely to replace it with an Independence Day celebration.
ReplyDeleteFlags of the host state are not generally flown in a foreign embassy. (This is true of American embassies). Since we are ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor 5), then the Church is a foreign embassy, representing the reign of the King of king and Lord of lords. Embassies are generally considered foreign soil.
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