By the Rev. Dr. Burnell Eckardt, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Kewanee, IL

Why is the flag best placed in an auditorium, but not in a church?

According to the American pledge of allegiance, the flag stands for the republic itself.  This is why it is proper for Americans to honor the flag, for the republic is due honor as a nation "under God."  All nations are "under God," in that they only exist as nations by God's leave, and also in that their authorities are all "ordained of God" (Romans 13:1).  In America, we accord honor to the flag not only because of this, but also because we recognize the value of America's freedoms, which are a gift of God.  Thus it is right for Christians to observe proper flag etiquette: to stand when the flag passes at a parade; to display the flag only during daylight or when lighted; to replace any torn or tattered flag; never to wear a flag as an article of clothing, etc.

 It is not in the best of Christian tradition, however, to display the national flag in the setting of Christian worship, nor does such a custom have its roots in church history.  The history of displaying national flags in churches is of recent origin, and while perhaps well meant, cannot be defended by reference to the universal history of the Church.

 Proper flag etiquette does not establish or require the display of the flag in civilian churches.  American flag etiquette requires that the American flag take symbolical precedence wherever it is displayed.  On a flagpole, it must fly higher than any other flag; on a stage, it must stand at the stage's right hand — the position of honor, called "the flag's own right."  So it is arguable that in a church's worship space, where the flag's symbolism cannot take precedence over the displayed signs and symbols of the faith (crosses, statues, etc.), it would be better not to display it at all.  (Military settings where chaplains serve might legitimately be seen as an exception to this rule, inasmuch as they are themselves government institutions, and the display of the flag in such a context might well be understood as a necessary designation of the government they represent.)

 The Church must be completely blind to racial and national origin, since God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).  This also means that if someone from another country should visit us, we would not do well to indicate to that person that we are an American church; no, we would rather say that we are a Christian church, and you are welcome, whether you are American or not.  Christian worship is really not to be identified as an "American" thing.  It belongs to all the people of God of all times and places.  So it is in the best of Christian tradition to understand the area of worship as something not belonging to any particular nation.

 On the other hand, auditoriums across the land really ought to display an American flag.  Since the auditorium is not the place of worship, but the place of common assemblies for various purposes, it is therefore proper to designate it as an American place.  Here is where the flag truly belongs; an auditorium without a flag is really less than fully furnished.  To plant the flag there gives the flag its due honor.