Shelby church to fly Christian flag over American flag

[KamaAina]

http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/29472787/shelby-church-to-fly-christian-flag-over-american-flag

In Cleveland County, Old Glory flies high. From shops, to homes, to houses of worship - the red, white and blue can be spotted on every street corner.

But this Fourth of July weekend, one Shelby flag pole will be reassessing its priorities. On Sunday, Pastor Rit Varriale will raise the Christian flag above the American flag in front of Elizabeth Baptist Church.

"Our typical flag etiquette is to have the American flag above the Christian flag. But when you stop and think about it, it should be our commitment to God first, then our commitment to country," Varriale said....

"As I was changing the rope one day, the Lord just laid on me that he is first and when he told me that, I switched the flags around," Wilson said.

Why do these people hate America so much?

[randys1]

1. What in the FUCK is a christian flag! Jesus christ, no wonder you people are laughed at

[Rex]

2. It is a flag flown all over the world evidently by Christians. News to me too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Flag

The Christian Flag is a flag designed in the early 20th century to represent all of Christianity and Christendom,[1] and has been most popular among Christian churches in North America, Africa and Latin America. [2] The flag has a white field, with a red Latin cross inside a blue canton. The shade of red on the cross symbolizes the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary.[3] The blue represents the waters of baptism as well as the faithfulness of Jesus.[4] The white represents Jesus' purity.[5] In conventional vexillology, a white flag is linked to surrender, a reference to the Biblical description of Jesus' non-violence and surrender to God.[6] The dimensions of the flag and canton have no official specifications.

[arcane1]

5. It's the first I've heard of it too

Though once I saw the picture, it is something I've seen before.

[krispos42]

10. Baptists seem to fly it a lot

I was married to the daughter of a part-time Baptist minister (now on hubby #3, with two kids from hubby #2 born out of wedlock), and the first time I saw that flag was when I attended some function at her private Christian high school.

There's a pledge, too. Guess what the rhythm and meter is.

[yuiyoshida]

20. Here ya go

[randys1]

23. Jesus would break land speed records tearing that up and setting it on fire

[cwydro]

3. I never heard of this flag.

Wow.

[gratuitous]

6. Our denomination doesn't fly any flags

At our annual conference (held in various venues around the country), we respectfully request the facility where we're meeting to remove any flags in the meeting areas for the duration of our conference. We regard it for ourselves as a form of idolatry.

Personally, I've noticed too many Christians getting their symbols confused and as a result their priorities can get confused also. Pastor Varriale seems to have had a new thought develop in his mind. He might want to check in with his congregation about the wisdom of flying any flag out front.

Judging from the comments to the story, Pastor Varriale might find out what actual persecution entails, instead of the "persecution" of "not everyone agrees with my point of view, which is all godly and stuff."

[Solly Mack]

7. And then I called the news to let them know what I was doing.

[A Little Weird]

8. I always thought it was specific to Methodists

Don't think I've ever seen it in front of any other church.

[Adrahil]

16. My Lutheran church used it when I was a kid. nt

[xmas74]

19. And we rarely use it.

At least at most of the churches I've been at. The only time I've watched it used in a Methodist church is during Boy Scout and Girl Scout Sunday and even then it's a bit of an afterthought.

None of the Methodist churches I've attended have ever had it actually flying out front.

[Cirque du So-What]

9. There's even a 'pledge of allegiance' to the Christian flag. I shit you not.

I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag and to the Saviour for whose kingdom it stands; one brotherhood, uniting all mankind in service and in love.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Flag

[longship]

13. With stoning and crucifixion for all who don't agree.

That is why I never salute, stand, or put my hand on my heart over a piece of cloth.

And the "Star Spangled Banner" is fucking unsingable. So I don't even sing it.

My one allegiance was expressed when I applied for, and was granted, a top secret clearance (don't ask). And also when I taught high school mathematics in Calofornia. Both, as working in a government funded job, required a background check (the DOD top secret clearance somewhat more invasive) and swearing an oath, not to a fucking flag, but to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Well, in the case of the top secret thing there was also not flapping ones gums under some rather severe penalties.

But I do not pledge my allegiance to a flag and as I public school teacher for years I never did.

[msongs]

11. talking about a flag that represents 2000 years of rape, torture, and murder on a

humongous scale? no thanks

[joeybee12]

12. Arrest him for treason...nt

[onenote]

22. Again with the treason nonsense

How could you have posted 50,000 times and not yet learned what treason is and isn't?

[kcdoug1]

14. y'all need to read yer bible

This whole story is VERY clearly laid out. See chapters 6-66 in the book of Stupidshitimadeup... it's inbetween Mark and James and that other dude!

[TlalocW]

15. How many people on the design committee were killed

Trying to figure out what design would best symbolize their devotion to a guy who said love your neighbor?

TlalocW

[Nevernose]

17. I never understood the purpose of flags

Do the people who fly them think the rest of us don't know what country we're in? I guess it makes sense if you fly them along an unmarked border...

The only country I've ever been to that waves their own flag as much as the U.S. is China (with France close behind).

[pintobean]

18. It's a conspiracy

We do it to keep you wondering.

[yuiyoshida]

21. Reading the comments was fun...

Seems most agree that flying their flag above the Country's flag is just wrong and the church should lose their tax free status. Sure, why not!