Flags in Church?

WHY ISN’T THE AMERICAN FLAG DISPLAYED IN MY CHURCH ANYMORE?

I have clear memories from my childhood of attending church with my grandparents and seeing the American flag on display in the sanctuary.  This was just after the end of World War II, and patriotism was still very high among Americans.

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Because of military service, and later because of extensive travel as part of my employment, I didn’t attend church regularly for a number of years.  When I retired and returned to regular church attendance, I was surprised to see that our flag was no longer there.  When I asked why it was not there, I never received a clear answer.  The only response I did receive was that somehow, showing our flag in the church was a violation of the 1st amendment to our constitution.    The wording of that amendment-“congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” was intended to prevent a repetition of the conditions they had left behind in Europe, and nothing more.
Those words have been twisted and mis-interpreted over the years to remove God from our schools, public buildings, and even sporting events to the detriment of us all.

To me, our flag represents everything that is good in our nation.  It should remind us all that, as we fought under it for our freedom,  we also fought under it to preserve the freedom- including freedom of religion- for nations far removed from our shores.  In the past one hundred years, nearly three million Americans have sacrificed their blood and their lives in Europe and Asia for that cause.

Since the end of WWII, many of the mainline churches have become very liberal in their positions toward social issues.  Some pastors refuse to display our flag in their churches because it might offend some of those in attendance.    I’m puzzled by this opinion.  If those present in the church are native-born, they might be indifferent, but they certainly should not be offended.  For those who came here from the land of their birth because they were seeking a better life, they should be proud of their adopted country’s flag.  If either of the two groups above are in fact offended by the sight of the American flag, I strongly suggest they move to a country whose flag doesn’t offend them.

I want to see the American flag on display in my church.  If you do too, I have a suggestion.   On November ninth, the Sunday closest to Veteran’s day, carry or wear a small American flag.  Show your church leaders that you are proud of our flag, and you want to see it every Sunday.

John Jamieson

Farmville

One Vote for Cornell Walker

Having sponsored the debate on October 16, 2014 of the three candidates for the unexpired term of the late Pete Campbell as the Prospect representative on the Prince Edward County Board Of Supervisors, and after listening very carefully to each candidate, I am convinced that Cornell Walker would best serve the citizens of the Prospect Voting District on the Board of Supervisors.

During the debate, efficiently conducted by Dr. Brian Bates, each candidate made a number of significant, good points, however motivational words and wishes will not “get the job done”!  We must all realize that these are tough times and that “belt tightening” are the keywords in today’s world.

I believe that Cornell’s dedication to attending innumerable Board of Supervisors meetings during the last eight years, educating himself on the needs of Prince Edward County, his business background and his “down to earth” approach to our problems clearly sets him apart as the Candidate of Choice in this election. Cornell has repeatedly shown that he is an independent thinker and that he will support what is best for Prospect and Prince Edward County and will not vote for an issue just because another member of the Board tells him to.

Again, I appreciate each candidate’s willingness to serve and I acknowledge that each one has good points, however, on balance I believe that Cornell would best serve us on the Board of Supervisors of Prince Edward County, and I strongly urge every citizen of the Prospect voting district to support Cornell Walker in the election on November 4, 2014.

Furman Joye

Prospect

Comments on the Virginia Senate Race

In the words of Charles Krauthammer, America’s renowned commentator – winning the Senate for Republicans matter to us Americans. You can’t govern the country from one house of Congress. Controlling both houses would allow the GOP to discuss and vote on critically necessary legislation now totaling 357 plus bills passed by the Republican controlled House. These certainly include good bills that would address problems such as the economy, health care, taxes, regulations, the border disaster, energy, education and important national defense issues. As the news media and liberal democrats continue to accuse the republicans of doing nothing, all these bills are held captive by Senate Leader Harry Reid and not allowed to come to the floor for discussion and vote.
We haven’t heard one Senator, not even our own Senator Mark Warner, take the lead and demand that the Senate do its job and act on these bills. Senator Warner, here at re-election time, is claiming he will work to fix these problems. Our answer should be- he has had six years to stand up and lead to help the people in these trying times. He has betrayed we the people with an average 97% voting record supporting President Obama and the other liberal Senators. It is not what he will do for us, it’s what he has done to us.
Please for the sake of our children and grandchildren, we must return governing controlled by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. If you do not think Senator Reid, co-conspirator with President Obama, should be in control of our country for five more years, please urge your family and friends to join us at the polls this November 4th and please vote for Republican candidate Ed Gillespie for Senate and your Republican House candidate, responsible conservatives, in our effort to save America before it is too late!

Eva Scott

Amelia, VA