WARSAW —  A Warsaw church being used for a polling center for the 2016 Election is causing a stir. Six months ago, New Life Christian Church, a polling center for Wayne Township precinct five, raised their Christian flag above their American flag on the flag pole.

Tradition states that the American flag is to be higher than any other flag on the flag pole.

It isn’t just the improper flag etiquette that is causing individuals to question the New Life Christian Church’s decision to switch the flags, it’s also the fact that some individuals believe this decision may be considered a type of political protest.

Some individuals have resorted to calling the County Clerk’s office with complaints of the switch, as well as calling the church to voice concerns.

New Life Christian Church Pastor John B. Lowe stated that one person called him on election day complaining of the flag and called him a “bigot.” Over the last several months, one individual has stopped by the church several times and switched the flags back to the American flag being on top.

Democratic chairman David Kolbe voiced his opinion with the Clerk of the Circuit Court Ann Torphy, “I lodged a complaint with Ann Torpy. She is doing a great job as we address a number of complaints. There have been more apparently than any election. People are highly engaged.”

Co-legal counsel for the Indiana Election Division Matthew R. Kochevar stated that if the flag pole is outside the 50-foot area at the pole, they have no control to ask the church to switch the flags, according to his interpretation of Title 3. Title 3 refers to political protests outside of polling centers.

Unless the pole is within the 50-foot area and/or the pastor is out there telling people why the flag is being flown that way, there is no violation according to Kochevar. Kochevar stated anything outside of the 50-foot area, an area where no electioneering can take place, is under control of the property owner. He even stated even if that flag pole is within that 50-foot area, it is different all together and is not even sure if it would be considered electioneering as it is not supporting a specific candidate or ballot question.

The County Election Board and the Secretary of State Office both commented there is nothing they can do in regards to this issue. They will not and they cannot tell the church to take the flag down. They commented that the issue with the flag is, “More of an etiquette thing,” rather than an official political protest. The County Clerk Office did say they may be looking into finding a new polling center for the precinct for the next election because of the complaints.

Lowe stated the church was not out to cause problems when it made the switch six months ago. Lowe said there was not one signal event that caused the church to switch the flags.

Lowe emphasizes America was founded upon religious freedom. He states this is an integral part of our country and sees nothing wrong with raising the Christian flag above the American flag. Lowe cites that the American Pledge of Allegiance says that America is, “One nation under God.”

Lowe says that, “I’m a patriot to the the bone,” he added, “I’m a Christian first before an American. I didn’t know that was illegal or improper.”

Lowe also referenced the church has American flags lined along the entrance of the church as well as in the sanctuary of the church.