Flagolatry: The Golden Calf Returns
by Nekeisha Alexis-Manners

The Christian faith is under attack and its enemy is by no means an unfamiliar one. Flagolatry, also known as Flag Worship, has been around since the dawn of borders, nation states and governments. However, since the World Trade Center tragedy on September 11th, it has reached a fever pitch. It is increasingly worrisome to concerned members of the Body of Christ like myself to witness Christians in large numbers shed their "What Would Jesus Do" paraphernalia for the catchier "What Would Dubya Do" phrase. Though masked in His name, this incredible denial of God, may even make the "Jesus Junk" industry antsy, as their trendy clothing lines and record labels go head to head with the even more pagan Old Navy Flag t-shirts and pop versions of "God bless America". In order for peacemakers to curb the message of war inherent in the flag's symbolism, we must first explore its relationship to historical forms of idol worship. Only then can we see why all this flag waving may be damaging to the soul.

In order to understand the prevalence of Flagolatry, parallels can be drawn to the first major idol mentioned in the Old Testament: the Golden Calf. As we see in Exodus 32, Moses goes up the mountain to convene with God and receive the instructions for the Israelites after bringing them out of Egypt into the wilderness. The countenance of the Israelites is important during this time: Moses is nowhere to be found, and instead of trusting in his return and the God who had but a short time ago parted the Red Sea and emancipated them, they begged for something they could hold on to. Exodus 32:1 states:

And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, "Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him".

Perhaps Aaron was also worried about his brother's whereabouts, or his faith in God faltered because without hesitation, he asked for their golden adornments and used them to sculpt a molten calf. As if creating a piece of eye-candy for the people weren't bad enough, Aaron proclaimed to all, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of Egypt", and built an altar in its honor. Together the people worshipped the calf and made merry-much to God's most justified dismay. His people's swift abandonment of Him despite His victory against Pharaoh causes a wrath to grow in Him against the "stiffnecked" people, so much so that he thinks to destroy them. Thankfully it is Moses' words of wisdom that compels a compassionate and forgiving God to "[repent] of the evil, which he thought to do unto his people." (Exodus 32:14).

It is important to note here that the sin of the people wasn't the golden calf in and of itself. On the streets of New York City, one can see the elephants, zebras, wooden statues and a host of artwork artists sell, made using everything from tin to fake-gold: no one considers those to be idols. The problem with the golden calf was the faith that people placed in it. Through no fault of his own the calf was worshipped and elevated to a god-like status. People chose to construct something they could see to quell their fears, not only of losing Moses but also for protection in the days ahead. They also chose to make something they could see to explain the events that brought them this newfound freedom. It wasn't enough that an invisible God caused extraordinary plagues to descend on Egypt, or that He had parted the Red Sea and crushed their enemies before them. Without a change of heart, the Israelites needed to see to believe, so they cast aside their faith in God and turned to a lifeless object instead.

The situation facing the country is incredibly similar to the daunting circumstances of the Israelites. Americans have been feeling a high level of uncertainty, both for the present and the future in the wake of the events on September 11th. Talks of war destabilize attempts at normalcy, making thousands worried and fearful. The nation's "Moses" - our belief in our invincibility - has left us, and in our struggle to deal with this realization many are looking for places to turn to and trying to find an explanation for what has happened. In this quest for answers, Christians like Israelites have begun to abandon the One who rescued them from the ultimate tragedy of the human condition: the bondage of sin. In this time when it seems as if God is too far up the mountain for them to reach, they are turning to something they can set their eyes on - the American flag. It says in Psalm 46:1,7 that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble . . . the Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Yet one would not think that this is our belief when examining the speed with which we have made patriotism and violence the gods of our freedom and salvation.

Like the golden calf, the cotton fibers of the American flag are no more of an idol than the cotton fibers of our favorite T-shirt, and yet the treatment is has received classifies it as such. The level of veneration that the flag has garnered in these past few weeks is enough to make the golden calf silver with envy. Christians have placed our faith in the flag and the Republic for which it stands instead of in the Word of God. We demand with the rest of the populace that someone "kill the bastards!" We rally behind an imperfect and utterly racist human justice. We say, "go in peace" a sermon that is pro-war. The church has pledged its allegiance to the flag and boldly rejects God in His own name. Perhaps one of the more startling effects of Flagolatry is the way Christians confuse the ideals of man with the ideals of God. God is not democratic. His "freedom and justice for all" is not founded on the destruction of others. Christians have forgotten that we are slaves to His will or we are not His, that God has no desire to "protect his pride" and that Jesus' demise shows us God does not require any man made defense for His chosen ones. God has no need for the principles of this or any other government, but his people cling to them with each step down the path of Stars and Stripes.

The persistent waving of the American flag, its ubiquitous presence on store windows, hats and cars, and the literal and symbolic bowing down before it is the people's way of quelling their fears and seeking protection in the days ahead. By its participation in these exercises however, the Christians are proving their hearts are still hardened: many still need to see to believe.

Burning the American flag can be qualified as one of the nation's seven deadly sins; yet Christians are rallying our support for those who would desecrate Christ's name while trampling on God's Word. God repented of his need to take out his wrath on the people of Israel who broke the ultimate commandment. Yet his people who are explicitly instructed to "love their enemies", "turn the other cheek" and "overcome evil with good" are so untrusting that they cannot do the same when horrific evil comes to their doorstep. The thirst for retaliation and the rejection of love and forgiveness by Christians are the results of succumbing to the cult of patriotism. It is the result of a faithless people who no longer look to the mountain for their refuge, but find their comfort in hate and violence.
__________________
Nekeisha Alexis-Manners is currently a senior at New York University majoring in African Studies. She is also a web designer (she designed www.jesusradicals.com) and works part-time at a recreational program for the mentally disabled.