|
 Flags of convenience? 
 When English Knights in the Eleventh and Twelfth centuries first began to 'take the cross', it was a distinctly mixed gesture.
'Taking the cross' meant taking a vow to go on crusade to the Holy Land, and thereby having a cross stitched onto the surcoat-originally a black one onto the shoulder and later a red one onto the breast.
The gesture was mixed because their motives were mixed.
For some it was a gesture of genuine piety, whilst for others it was a last ditch attempt to absolve their souls of many sins.
A place on a crusade meant the slate was wiped clean of all wrongdoing.
Like many a public figure today, bold deeds overseas were often intended to distract attention from ignoble ones at home.
When Richard the Lionheart returned from the crusades to troubles at home, he reputedly did so under a white banner emblazoned with a red cross - thus the flag of St George was born.
Does this make it a symbol of good or evil, of piety or of folly?
For some it is a symbol of national pride, whilst for others it whips up the worst kind of xenophobia.
Christians are quite used to the 'hijacking' of their symbol for other ends.
It has been twisted into a swastika, broken to form an anti-nuclear symbol, and even served more recently as a glittering prop for pop-queen Madonna's stage show. In the main we live with these ambiguities because the cross itself is not venerated.
It is, after all, an empty cross.
Christ's supreme and selfless act of love upon it was conducted once and for all - and now we remember him rather than it.
The misuse of this distinctively Christian symbol should trouble us only when we feel that the name of the Christ who died upon it is being brought into disrepute.
All this brings us back to that red and white enigma, the flag of St George.
Should Christians side with those who want to fly it as a symbol of national pride, especially as we head into the World Cup?
Alternatively, perhaps we should side with those who want to ban it, either in Hampshire, where it might frighten the horses, or in Gloucestershire, where it might upset and confuse the punters?
The answer depends on whether we think it can be dissociated from its less positive associations.
These could be its ancient association with the crusades, or its modern one with ultra-nationalism.
Like any other moral dilemma, there are judgements to be made.
Last week, as ever, there were many cars parked in the crowded roads around our church.
One of them bore the crescent moon of Islam, and another the cross emblazoned in red on a white background.
Was the first one driven by a Muslim…or the supporter of a certain rugby club?
And what of the other - was it driven by a Christian, or perhaps an enthusiastic Muslim supporter of the English national football team?
Of such ambiguities modern multi-cultural Britain is made.
For us as Christians it calls for great sensitivity, but also provides great opportunity- the world is (literally) on our doorstep.
|
