[http://www.senate.gov/CRSReports/crs-publish.cfm?pid=%270E%2C*PLS%3F%22%20%20%20%0A ]
Therefore, "proper display of the flag" according to the federal government requires that when it is displayed, it is to "hold the position of superior prominence…in the position of honor", i.e. be placed higher than any other flag or church pennant.
On one hand, I am well aware of the dangers of broaching the issue of displaying the U.S. flag in the chancel of the church. I may be accused of a lack of patriotism, zealous legalism or, worse yet, of plotting purposely to "create division" within the congregation. Please allow me to be very clear at the outset: I am patriotic. It is not my intention to be either legalistic or to create division. On the contrary, I pray what I contend within these pages will bring an even greater singularity and unity of purpose to our spiritual worship. I also believe as Christians, we are commanded to stand firm for what is right and true according to Scripture.
There is no federal law requiring the display of the U.S. flag in our church buildings. And it is true, Scripture neither specifically commands nor forbids the display itself of any national flag within the church building. The simple display of the flag itself without the mandated conditions is therefore an adiaphora. However, when coupled with the federal government’s mandated “conditions of display”, to wit: “a position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor” in the church and the congregation’s willing compliance with these conditions, the display of the flag rapidly loses the characteristic of an adiaphora, especially when the mandated “place of superior prominence and in the position of honor” is set by the congregation to be in the chancel, a place that arguably should be reserved as a place of honor and glory to God, alone. In such a case, shouldn’t we opt out of displaying this symbol of nationalism in the chancel? In addition, I would ask: How does display of the national flag in the chancel uphold the Lutheran-Christian philosophy of keeping the functions of the church and state separate?
Perhaps it is time for every Christian to honestly question whether the display of the U.S. flag in the church chancel under the “conditions of display” mandated by the federal government is prudent and, in fact, a matter of adiaphora.
Yet, the argument is proffered: “But what about accommodating the congregation’s sense of patriotism?” I have absolutely no issue with the U.S. flag being displayed elsewhere in the church building, e.g. in the Narthex, the classroom, or just inside the building's entrance doors. Neither have I any issue with praying (including hymns of prayer) for our nation and her elected government leaders as we are so commanded in First Timothy 2:1-4. Indeed, I do so every night in my evening prayers. I simply believe neither the flag of the United States, nor of any country, or of any other corporate interest rightly deserves place or to be given honor in the sanctuary, and particularly in the chancel, of the church. I contend there may be a time(s) when our sense of patriotism and our evangelistic desire not to unnecessarily burden peoples’ hearts with what may seem to be trifling matters, may over-ride our need to fully understand the fact there are times when an adiaphora becomes no longer an adiaphora, ie. when there are mandated conditions attached, in this case, by the federal government, which, in demanding the superior prominence… and place of honor for the flag so near the Lord’s altar, in essence, demands we render unto Caesar that which is God’s alone. It would be like a congregation agreeing to being licensed by the state to organize a church and conduct worship services as long as it doesn’t teach contrary to the worldly policies of the state...
~ the Lutheran Watchman © 2015