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The comments came from Rev. Clayton Childers, of the Washington-based United Methodist Board of Church and Society, who said, "The presence of a national flag in worship can imply endorsement of national policies which often run counter to the teachings of Jesus Christ and our Christian faith. … One need only recall the way the swastika flag was displayed prominently in German churches during the Nazi era."

It can only imply endorsement of national policies if the church endorses those policies, or remains silent about those it opposes.

The swastika flag in German churches at that time should have been a constant reminder of what the church stood in opposition to, even if they could not oppose it overtly.

I likely disagree with this Methodist leader on much of what the church should oppose in our government. I also disagree that removing the flag is the right approach.

If you don't agree with what your government is doing, it's your responsibility to do what you can to change it. Christianity teaches us to be moral members of society. While Christianity does teach forgiveness of the repentant, it also teaches personal accountability.

Much of the Church seems to have forgotten that forgiveness is something that comes in response to repentance and has abandoned the concept of personal responsibility for sinful actions.