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Category: Readers' Opinions

Church before state

Jun 08

7:34 AM

In an era where American patriotism has reached the shallow point of waving the flag and wearing lapel pins, Pilot staff writer Stephen G. Vegh's well-balanced report on the presence of American flags in church settings was excellent coverage of this highly emotional subject.

Two quotes in his article speak to the heart of this matter:

A Baptist spokesman worries that 'display of the flag in worship space might suggest that God and country are co-equal.'

The Catholic Diocese of Richmond states that 'flags could compromise the Catholic teaching that challenges the values of a country.'

Most religious bodies, particularly in the Judeo-Christian tradition, challenge 'the values of our country' in the matter of warfare, with its dehumanizing consequences.

If the American flag truly represents the 'values of our country,' I do not want such a symbol in my place of worship, a Catholic church, whose message for 20 centuries has been one of fellowship with all humankind and peace and justice for all. Many of us worship for a communal contact with a universal God who transcends all national and geographic boundaries.

Charles M. Warthen

Virginia Beach

View 7 comment(s) Link to post

Theocracy didn't work here ...

Submitted by FMason on Wed, 06/18/2008 at 10:29 am.

Back in the 17th and into the 18th century the people of this country tried theocracy. It was rejected in favor of reason and rationality. Catholic and Protestant and other sects all have been brutal in enforcing their narrow and irrational demands. No matter how nice the platitudes it always comes down to money, power and coercive measures to maintain adherence to the "true faith" and "behavior acceptable to god."

Keep religion out of government. It only serves as a divisive diversion from real problems and issues.

Mr. Warteh wrote: "...a

Submitted by rrc1943 on Wed, 06/18/2008 at 8:05 am.

Mr. Warteh wrote: "...a Catholic church, whose message for 20 centuries has been one of fellowship with all humankind and peace and justice for all."

Considering the various inquisitions, witch-hunts, the torture and execution of Giordano Bruno, the massacre of men, women, and children at Montsegur, and its harsh treatment of people who dared to defy Rome and think for themselves, I think Mr. Warthen needs to reconsider his statement. The historical behavior of the Catholic Church rivals that of modern radical Muslims extremists.

If I went to a church

Submitted by Carolyn R on Tue, 06/17/2008 at 11:53 pm.

that had a problem with the values the American flag portrays, I'd be looking for a new church promptly. We as Americans and Christians fail at living perfectly but what the American flag stands for is honorable.

Democracy is Secular

Submitted by A Markowitz on Tue, 06/17/2008 at 6:05 pm.

True enough that the Catholic church has a tainted history but anyone with a grasp of history also knows the danger of linking church and state. The founders of our country knew the dangers all too well and wisely wrote a separation of church and state into the constitution. We are a nation of immigrants from every continent and culture and it is vital to any semblance of democracy that we maintain a secular system.

Use the billions of dollars

Submitted by Harold Jackson on Tue, 06/17/2008 at 12:12 pm.

If Catholics really stood for what they claim then they would use the billions of dollars in assets that have been collected from the religious oppressed poor all over the world to ease hunger and poverty. Instead Catholics continue to undermine the laws of the country by encouraging and aiding illegal aliens who are majority Catholic. The source of new members and above all money supersedes anything else.

Comment

Submitted by ralen4 on Tue, 06/17/2008 at 10:06 am.

If you really believe the Catholic Church has stood for peace and fellowship for 20 centuries, you need to go back and read some history.

Ignorance is bliss

Submitted by warrenb73163 on Tue, 06/17/2008 at 9:27 am.

Something bothers me about this letter. The writer says about the Catholic Church having a message that for 20 centuries has been one of fellowship with all humankind and peace and justice for all.

First, before a group can practice ideals listed above, one must seek and attain the freedoms to do so. Said freedoms don’t come peacefully but must be gained usually violently. Once freedoms are secured, then one can enjoy the luxury of pursuing ideals.

As for the Catholic Church with peace and fellowship, the writer may have never known of the history of the Crusades. Such activity were far from peaceful but appropriate and justified. The Church sought to regain the Christian communities lost to violent Islam. Had it not been for the warring Church and Christian resisters, all of Europe would probably bow to Mecca five times a day. The Americas may well have been discovered by Muslim explorers. Who then would most likely be Mr. Warthen’s God but Allah?

First things first. War then peace and fellowship. Peace through strength. Could it be that Warthen hates America?