Florida Pastor Receives Threats for Separating State-Worship from God-Worship
In a sad story, a Baptist pastor in Florida has taken leave pending an investigation into threatening notes he received. What did he do to incur such hateful, un-Christian animus? Rev. Sean Allen dared to remove the American and Christian flags from the church altar. When did devotion to flag become more important than - or, maybe worse still, equated with - devotion to God?
The Daytona News-Journal Online quotes an expert explaining that from a Baptist perspective especially, Allen's theology is correct.
Dixon Sutherland, professor of religious studies at Stetson University who specializes in Christian ethics, said Allen acted according to Baptist theology by removing the U.S. and Christian flags. Theologically, Baptist churches shouldn't display any symbol that is not an inherent part of the Christian faith, and have historically rejected placement of secondary symbols, he said.Here's hoping this conflict is resolved peacefully and soon."(Allen) understands that the flag is a very intense symbol that has a connection with our country, of being American. Nothing is wrong with that but it doesn't belong on the altar of the church," Sutherland said. "God is the only object of worship and you don't need a flag to do that."