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2008-01-22 issue:

Of cats, sacraments and ‘pagan’ flags

Mennonite Media presents 2007 questions to Third Way Café and answers.

by Melodie Davis

Print Article

Mennonite Media staff selected the top questions from 208 people who inquired to Third Way Café or Mennonite Media in 2007. Following are the top five questions (and responses) included in that list:

1. Recently several Mennonite families moved near our farm, and I have noticed that they watched our cats when they were at our house. Is there a certain Mennonite belief concerning cats?

As far as I know, no Mennonite (conservative or otherwise) groups have any beliefs concerning cats. I think it’s safe to say that the more conservative groups tend to view animals less as pets and more as help around the farm, so it’s possible that they just aren’t used to cats as indoor pets?

2. The older I get, the more sense the Ana- baptist lifestyle makes. I have recently started ordering clothes from Amish or Mennonite ladies, because they are, quite frankly, better clothes, not made in sweatshops, wear like iron and actually fit average body shapes.

After looking through Third Way Café, you might be interested in our official statement of beliefs, the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective. That said, you should note that Mennonite Church USA does share your concern regarding the influence of modern culture and consumerism in our lives, but we don’t withdraw from society in the same way more conservative groups do.

3. I want your definition of “sacrament.” Some Mennonites think they have seven sacraments, but they cannot name them or provide me with a definition of “sacrament.”

“Sacrament” is the doctrinal language of the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican/Episcopal, Lutheran, Calvinist/Reformed, Presbyterian churches. Mennonites emerged out of that European ecclesiastical scene and never have comfortably and collectively used for themselves the word “sacrament,” perhaps because the term may suggest that it is a purveyor of sacred mystery that only the mysteriously sacred, qualified person can purvey.

4. Does one just go to a service or is this not done? We stopped at the Mennonite Information Center on Route 30 in Lancaster, Pa., but I was too shy to ask any questions.
It would be a bit irregular to just “pop in” at an Old Order or Amish meeting house, but most Mennonite churches welcome any and all visitors.

5. The local store run by people of the Mennonite doctrine does not sell American flags, but they do sell flags with flowers, animals and other earthly symbols, which many of us flag-flying Christians consider pagan. Why will a Mennonite-run store not sell an American flag?

Most Mennonites would not consider flags with flowers and animals on them to be pagan. Such flags aren’t necessarily Christian, but most of us would say that they are simply a religion-neutral decoration that shows an appreciation for the beauty of God’s creation—not a statement of belief or loyalty to a certain idea or government, unlike the American flag, which is hung as a symbol of patriotism and allegiance to the U.S. government. Most Mennonites do not fly government flags, as we do not pledge our allegiance to any worldly government or country—our allegiance is to God and the building of God’s kingdom on Earth. —Melodie Davis for Mennonite Mission Network

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