The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

On the anniversary of the founding of our republic, there remain concerns over the ongoing debate of the separation of church and state. Everyone, it would seem, has a position to take, and conversations on the issue can become quite complicated. The following account offers a deeper look into the events of a small rural 1040s church that was sharply divided in its theological position regarding church and state.

The issue fully came to light when certain members of the congregation concluded that the United States flag should be displayed in the otherwise flag-less church sanctuary. This was an especially bold move given the church’s long-standing pacifist teachings and traditions. Not clear how to respond, the elder pastor, out of his own pocket, purchased a Christian flag and displayed it on the opposite side of the dais. Like the beginning of a chess match, each move began to methodically unfold.

At a subsequent meeting of the church board, other questions were soon raised. Was the congregation in agreement on the flag(s)? Did a vote need to be taken? Would it require unanimity or would a simple majority suffice? How should one be displayed in light of the other? Is it better to display them in the back or the front of the church? Should one be higher or lower than the other? Before the issues could be debated, both flags turned up missing.

Some members were feeling played. Others were downright resentful on both sides of the issue. A farmer and church member living a few miles from the church was thought to be the likely thieving culprit. After a few days passed with no progress forthcoming, a church ‘posse’ took matters into their own hands and decided to investigate in hopes of recovering the flags as well as vindicating their suspicions.

It took a lot of nerve to toss someone’s place, even though it was a barn. It took even more daring for the real thief to arrange return of the flags to the sanctuary while the search party was still on the prowl. Feelings had been hurt, good intentions trampled, and a measure of trust lost by all. It came as disappointment, but no real surprise, that the pastor’s vehicle and that of another active parishioner were covered with yellow paint including the headliner inside the car. Solid fencing on the farmer’s place was also splash painted in the process. Eventually, it was determined that the purchasers of the yellow paint were members of the congregation.

The flags became mostly non-issues about a decade or so after the incident. The last anyone heard, they remain stored in a dusty anteroom adjacent to the present pastor’s office. Eighty years later, the hurt occasionally resurfaces. A more recent example involved a debate over supporting scouting programs with their attendant flags and pledges. Out of it comes the reminder of the importance of cultural traditions and the values they impart on society.

Before going down the path of thought-provoking issues regarding state church relations, imagine the viewpoints of all parties. What you see on the surface is just the tip of the iceberg. Hopefully we have grown beyond the church posse days that have characterized frontier Christianity for so long.

One of the more helpful pieces of advice offered came from a gentle soul steeped in the church. It was a reminder that there are multitudinous ways to express true patriotism beyond the stereotypes. Are we up for the task?