Christian Flag Makes Waves At War Memorial

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Remember that? It’s the First Amendment from the Constitution. People love quoting it. People love beating it over the brow of others (both the religious and non-religious) in order to change something in culture.

That’s what’s going in in the small town of King, NC:

“The city council decided last month to remove the flag from above the monument in Central Park after a resident complained, and after city leaders got letters from the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State urging them to remove it.” (source here)

The ruling has upset veterans groups, churches, and many residents. The question is, of course, is this a proper application of the First Amendment?

There’s a part of the Constitution that often gets left out in these type of court rulings. It’s this “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” That means if the residents want it, it’s fine. So long as the opportunity is open to every faith, it’s fine.

This amendment is not, and never was, meant to be used as a white-washing secularization of society (or for creating a theocracy, for that matter). So long as there is no law mandating people worship via a prescribed religion, this flag flying is fine. Again, if there is no law mandating it, flying the flag is actually protected under the law (or should be).

So is a Christian symbol okay on a public memorial? You betcha! And so would a symbol from any other religion. Although that may make you comfortable, it’s the law. It’s always sad, and a bit scary, to see a misapplication of the law.