Here’s an op ed I wrote several years ago on “Freedom Sunday.”

Alan, please forgive me for walking out during our church’s Freedom Sunday. I mean you no disrespect. At our service you sit down near the front with your prosthetic leg in camo. I recognize your courage–the agony you endured plus your agony when you inflicted suffering on others. I pray for your complete healing—body, mind, and spirit.

 I grieve for you, but also for my church and her mixed loyalties. In the narthex, a huge American flag hangs over the cross, a crown of thorns obscuring its starry field. We sing “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and the spotlight swings to illuminate a raised white cross. “As he died to make men holy let us die to make men free…” On the big video screen behind the altar, three F−15’s flash over the three-crossed hill of Calvary. Not missionaries, but uniformed soldiers march up and down our church aisles bearing, not Christian, but military flags. Today, Caesar trumps Christ. The sword trumps the dove. America’s founding fathers trump Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

It seems that even more than the cross, patriotism bonds people together. In front of the pulpit I see the central sacred symbol—erect between army boots stands an upright AK-47 rifle holding a helmet. We learn it’s even okay for Christians to kill other Christians if the targets are fighting in enemy armies. Today, the nonviolent, bloodied Lamb of God wears camo and carries a gun. They’d better not try to take away his rights again. Our children learn the lesson well—it takes redemptive violence to bring peace.

On Freedom Sunday the church cheerleads for the State, praising its force as she mourns her own dead and wounded. The State returns the favor and declares the church tax-exempt.

 So Alan, I honor you. I’m glad the church makes a place for you at Christ’s table. I love my country; I love my church. I’ll be back next Sunday. But today, I must walk out. Please forgive me.

Thank you.

James P. Hurd