Thursday, April 08, 2010

The Cross and Flame

One of the blogs I subscribe to on my Google reader is called God Hates Protesters. Today they featured what appeared to be a screenshot from the KKK website saying that they are not affiliated with Westboro Baptist Church and that they do not approve of WBC.

While this is the most clear-cut case of the pot using racial slurs against the kettle, I wanted to see if it was true. So even though it made me sick to do so (I took a shower afterward and am seriously considering burning my computer) I went to the KKK's website to find their denunciation.

I figured the FAQ page would be the most likely place, so I scanned down the page, which is mostly devoted to "clearing up misconceptions". One of the questions was attempting to say how burning crosses isn't racist, violent, or disrespectful to Christianity. (By the way, if you buy their argument, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you)

Part of the Klan's defense of burning crosses was a claim that "Methodist churches also have a burning cross". They are referencing the Cross and Flame, which is the official symbol of the United Methodist Church.

In case anyone was wondering, our symbol IS NOT a burning cross!!!

The flame represents the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), the two flames symbolizing the two denominations that came together to form the United Methodist Church in 1968: The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren.

The United Methodist Church has nothing to do with the KKK. Just thought I'd share that.

2 comments:

SpeasHill said...

You know, I get the symbolism and everything, but I've often wondered why they went with this logo. I'm a UM pastor, and it looks a little like a burning cross to me. Am I the only one (other than the Klansmen, of course!)?

p.s. I'm also angered by the KKK's, um, endorsement? of out logo.

Unknown said...

I'm willing to bet that, like many actions of our denomination, it was well intentioned but not fully thought through.