Flags Removed From Seminary Cafeteria

[Aviyah]

Posted on Fri, Mar. 28, 2003


Associated Press

WILMORE, Ky. - Officials at a theological seminary have ordered American flags removed from its cafeteria tables, saying Friday that "God's people do not wave flags as a sign of conquest."

Gulf War veteran Jason Ballmes, the food services director at Asbury Theological Seminary, said he was asked to remove the flags he had placed "to show our honor and support of our troops serving in harm's way."

"A handful of people, from this country and others, felt that this was an offensive gesture and ... that being a Christian and a patriot do not go together," Ballmes wrote on the interdenominational seminary's Intranet message board last week.

In a statement Friday, administrators at the central Kentucky seminary said the flags were removed because they are "not the most fitting way of representing this conflict."

"God's people do not wave flags as the sign of conquest. We bear crosses as the sign of reconciliation," the statement said.

Ballmes refused further comment on the issue Friday, saying the seminary's statement was "good enough."

The flags were replaced with candles, which Steve Moore, senior vice president of the seminary, said would better reflect people's wide-ranging feelings about the war.

"It was the right decision to replace them with candles, because we all can pray for the troops whether or not we agree with the war," student Jamey Lee said. He said the flags "bring to mind the disagreement we have and cause arguments to arise."

Other students said the flags should return.

"They are making it to seem that this value is in conflict with the value of being a Christian," said Sean Levine, a student and U.S. Army reservist who is training to be a chaplain.

Adam Justice and a fellow student bring their own flags to the cafeteria.

"We're showing our nonviolent protest just like Martin Luther King did," Justice said. "Bringing my flag to lunch every day is the least I can do to support the president and our troops."



im getting so sick and tierd of all this liberal anti american **** just goes to show you what ppl think of those who fought and died for under the AMERICAN FLAG its tiem to kick them out of this counrty if they dont like it here get the hell out and stay out


contra costa times

 

[cenimo]

And what about anyone at or connected with this seminary who has family in the military? Woudn't they be offended by this policy?


Oh, that's right, those who worry so about what's "offensive" never consider both sides of an issue, only thiers.

 

[Gerry]

Interdenominational seminary! Doesn't that explain it all!?! What a joke!

 

[Blindfaith]

/me picks her jaw up off of the ground

Huh?  I'm so confused here.  A seminary school is taking a political stance?  *ahem* 

/me whispers separation....remember separation? 

 

"God's people do not wave flags as the sign of conquest. We bear crosses as the sign of reconciliation,"

Anytime the government starts screwing with religion, and religion starts screwing with politics, that's when everything goes downhill faster than an Olympic slalom skier.  I'm thinking that the person who said the above statement is more interested in their political statement being made than making a sound theological statement based on biblical principal

*Ach*  whatever. 

 

[Inspired]

Did you ever think maybe they did it to avoid future incidents like the one with the american soldier bombing his fellow soliders? There are rumors flying everywhere about american soliders taking a hit out on Bush, so maybe as a means to an end to avois future conflict, taking down a flag isn't such a big thing?

Now don't get me wrong I support everyone's freedom to display the flag, but as I understand it, the soldier's are still free to do so, they will just not be hanging from the actually building any longer.

 

[chickenman]

I didn't realise jesus was an american.

does god recognise the unnatural division of the world into "countries"

I though he cared equally about the whole human race

Would you get upset if someone put up an iraqi flag in a seminary?

 

[D. Scarlatti]

"God's people do not wave flags as the sign of conquest. We bear crosses as the sign of reconciliation," the statement said.

How can any Christian disagree with that?

 

[cenimo]

Perhaps putting up the flag of a country that allows them to openly bear crosses isn't such a bad thing.

 

[D. Scarlatti]

So Christians do wave flags as a sign of conquest?

 

[Blindfaith]

Baiting?

 

[D. Scarlatti]

Of course not. I asked a question: How can any Christian disagree with the seminary's statement? It appears to me to be concordant with Christ's teachings. Perhaps I am wrong.

 

[cenimo]

"as a sign of conquest" is an assumption by the seminary....they are simply pandering to the pc crowd...

Many U.S. churches display flags at the front of the church and that is not controversial at all, nor a "sign of conquest".

 

[Didymus]

two ministers in my hometown--both women --recently paricipated in a local peace demonstration. one has opened her church everyday form 9to7 every day as long as the war lasts. She also lights a peace candle every Sunday on the alter. It is a Methodist church and Methodists are known for mixing poltics and religion.

 

[D. Scarlatti]

"as a sign of conquest" is an assumption by the seminary....

Fair enough. Although it seems a bit silly to me too, it appears that the seminary is just trying to avoid any needless conflict among its denizens. As for the opening post, it's beyond me what the seminary's actions or statement have to do with "liberals."

 

[JohnR7]

Today at 01:26 AM Soldier_of _God said this in Post #1

WILMORE, Ky. - Officials at a theological seminary have ordered American flags removed from its cafeteria tables, saying Friday that "God's people do not wave flags as a sign of conquest."

Interpretation: We do NOT support the war in Iraq.

During the last two wars everyone was flying their flag as a show of support for their country. It would seem that there is not that much support for this war. You see very few flags this time.

In fact just as the artical said, I have seen people take their flag down that they would have been flying, otherwise. There are people who may not even be against the war, but they are not for it either, to offer their support to it.

 

[Caedmon]

Today at 12:00 PM blindfaith said this in Post #10

Baiting?

I'd say more like desiring an answer to a very simple question.

Why wasn't it answered?

 

[Caedmon]

Today at 12:28 PM D. Scarlatti said this in Post #14

"as a sign of conquest" is an assumption by the seminary....

Fair enough. Although it seems a bit silly to me too, it appears that the seminary is just trying to avoid any needless conflict among its denizens. As for the opening post, it's beyond me what the seminary's actions or statement have to do with "liberals."

I agree. It is a way to prevent conflict. I personally don't see it as a liberal decision either.

 

[Caedmon]

Today at 12:26 AM Soldier_of _God said this in Post #1

im getting so sick and tierd of all this liberal anti american **** just goes to show you what ppl think of those who fought and died for under the AMERICAN FLAG its tiem to kick them out of this counrty if they dont like it here get the hell out and stay out

I wouldn't say it's "liberal" or "anti american." I'd say that it's a preventative measure against conflict.

 

[Yekcidmij]

And I'd say its stupid.

 

[coastie]

It is stupid. If anyone is ashamed or offended by the flag of the nation they are living in, then why the heck are they living there?

That is absolutely ridiculous.

I guess our seminaries are also in the business of "padding corners" now too, huh?

Think of all of the overly sensative graduates we are creating nowadays.