“Warring Over Peace”

Monday, December 10, 2012

Hi.  Not sure what to do; my daughter is now eleven-years-old, and her friend is into the peace symbol.  She has it everywhere, her clothes, her room, just everywhere; my daughter is starting to like it; my wife doesn't mind it; she likes it also.  For some reason, I do not like it.  I do not even like seeing it.  It bothers me when I see my daughter wearing it.  There is no other sign but the CROSS; Jesus is our Prince of Peace.  I know it represents peace.  I worry; will they mistake that peace for the peace sign that she wears?  I just do not know what to do.  How can that sign represent peace?  I am worried about her.  I just don't want anything that will dim her light.  I want her to be as close to God as possible, but I don't know what to do.  One thing I always remember is not to bring your children to anger; they will be discouraged.  I talked to her, told her how I felt, and she still wants to keep it, and my wife likes it.  She says there is nothing wrong with it.  What do I tell them?  Do I just over look it?  Would like some advice.

Sincerely,
No Outer Peace

Dear No Outer Peace,

Eph 6:4 could be summarized in the idea “pick your battles as a parent”.  This is not a battle worth picking.  The peace symbol is not a religious symbol (although, there have been times where it represented a fanatical worldview), and symbols are not in contradiction to Christ.  National flags are symbols, and yet, they are permissible (1 Pet 2:13-14); many, many, christians proudly wave the American flag in front of their homes without ever wavering in their allegiance to Christ above all others.  The peace symbol simply means ‘peace’ – it is up to your child and your family to give context to that term.

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