Posted on 03/29/2003 8:58:00 AM PST by Theodore R.
Seminary removes flags from cafeteria WILMORE LEADERSHIP WANTS TO AVOID 'SIGN OF CONQUEST' By Greg Kocher CENTRAL KENTUCKY BUREAU
WILMORE - Flags are just symbols, but in these days of war they are potent, emotionally charged symbols -- as Asbury Theological Seminary can attest.
American flags line downtown Wilmore, where the largest single employer is a state-run veterans' nursing home. But when American flags were put on cafeteria tables at the interdenominational seminary, administrators asked that they be removed because "God's people do not wave flags as the sign of conquest."
Later, large flags owned by the seminary representing some of the 50 nations of the military coalition U.S. allies were taken from a collection in the student center hallway and placed together in the Dining Commons.
Again, the administration asked that those flags be returned to their places among the rest of the flag collection.
Protests were voiced -- particularly on a campus chat room, where students have debated the issue.
Jason Ballmes, a Gulf War veteran and food services director, had no comment yesterday and referred questions to the administration. But he explained on the seminary's "Table Talk" chat room last week that he put the flags on the tables and was asked by seminary officials to remove them.
"A handful of people, from this country and others, felt that this was an offensive gesture and ... that being a Christian and a patriot do not go together," Ballmes wrote.
Seminary President Maxie Dunnam has taken the position that the campus is an international community, with students from 45 different countries among its enrollment of 1,440, including some of Iraqi descent and who have loved ones living in Baghdad and fighting in the Iraqi military.
In a written statement, Dunnam said: "How we deal with issues like this says something about our Christian faith -- but please don't allow yourself to believe that a person's position on this war is a measure of his or her patriotism. We are an international community, we're a part of a lot of different nations and most of us -- perhaps all of us -- love and want to serve our nation."
Student Paula Winchester said there should be more support for American troops.
"If I was there, I would want to know that my country is behind me," she said.
Ray Nothsine said he was disappointed with the administration's removing the flags because he thought it was a violation of the First Amendment right to free speech. Nothsine and his friend Adam Justice bring their own flags and display them on the table each time they come to the cafeteria.
"Bringing my flag to lunch each day is the least I can do to support the president and our troops," Justice said.
But Doug Baker, 45, a student completing his second year at the seminary, said he thinks the Asbury administration acted properly.
"I believe we're called to be Christians first, Americans second," Baker said. "I support the war 100 percent, don't get me wrong. But I believe the Iraqi people subject to Saddam Hussein right now are being persecuted, and they are my brothers and sisters in Christ before I'm an American. When you have students who are of Iraqi descent in the student body, I think you have to be a little more sensitive as an institution as to how you portray your message."
Now in the Dining Commons, a small candle sits on each table with a yellow ribbon. Diners are asked to light the candle and "pray together for an end to the war, the saving of human life, the safe return of the troops, and the end of human oppression," according to an "official statement of the administration" from J.D. Walt Jr., dean of the seminary chapel.
In that statement released this week to students, Walt noted that the American flag still flies on the campus quadrangle.
"Physically speaking it is the highest symbol on our campus," Walt wrote. "We support American and allied troops and their families. While we do not lend support to the leadership and armies of Iraq, we do stand in solidarity with the oppressed Iraqi people and we pray for a minimization of the loss of life among these people."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach Greg Kocher at (859) 885-5775 or gkocher1@herald-leader.com.
Is there anything we can learn from this?
When they came for the Catholics?
When they came for the Baptists?
When they came for the fundamentalists?
When they came for the agnostics?
Just something for all of us to think about -- is this picture larger than we currently see it?
The problem with their position was the reference to "conquest." Apparently whoever made the statement tying the US flag to conquest doesn't understand what this war is all about.
I tried to email Dr. Dunnam, Asbury's President but the message bounced. If his email is blocked that is a mistake. He needs to know there are people who support Asbury but also totally disagree with the removal of the flags AND totally reject the "conquest" reference.
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