Posted by Rachel on: 05.22.2007 /
al·le·giance
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 2006
Over the last few years, I have been struggling with the question “Should a follower of Jesus pledge allegiance to a nation-state?” Growing up in a conservative American household, I never questioned that it was the duty of every patriotic citizen to say the pledge. Hundreds of times in school, at sporting events, and even in church, I proudly placed my hand over my heart and promised my loyalty to “the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.”
But as I have begun to understand more clearly the radical anti-imperial message of Jesus and as I have learned more about the life and convictions of the Early Church, I have grown increasingly uneasy with this pledge.
My Christ following sisters and brothers in the first 300 years of the church were willing to die rather than give an oath of fealty to the Emperor and to Rome. Of course, they were required to acknowledge the Emperor as a god. And we are not being asked to actually worship or deify our countries or our leaders. Or are we?
I now understand that to be a follower of Christ is to give my allegiance to another King and another Kingdom. And my King taught that no one can serve two masters. So is it appropriate for me to take an oath of fidelity to the USA? Can I truly pledge my allegiance both to the kingdoms of this world and to the Kingdom of our God? How do Christian citizens of other nations deal with this dilemma?
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Comment by: Julie Clawson
1 05/22/07 8:58 AM | Comment Link |I see the Pledge as pure idolatry. I won’t say it and I will fight and law that requires my child to say it in school.
To give my allegiance to a human government denies the Kingdom of God and worships the empire. I find it sad that since the cold war especially civil religion has undermined true Christianity so that now it is widely believed that to be a patriot and worship your nation is to be a good Christian. So much so that churches fly the flag, say the pledge to it in church, and sings hymns to the empire in church. Our mind truly have been taken captive by hollow philosophies.
Comment by: joe
2 05/22/07 12:09 PM | Comment Link |We don’t have a pledge.
I don’t believe in my country right and wrong.
Comment by: Helen
3 05/22/07 5:56 PM | Comment Link |I grew up where Joe lives and the pledge has always seemed weird to me.
Comment by: Benjamin
4 05/22/07 8:49 PM | Comment Link |the Revised Code of Washington, RCW 28A.230.140, requires public schools in our state to have flag exercises at the beginning of each school day in every class, including a time for those students who so desire to recite the pledge of allegiance. I find this incredibly off putting.
Even more off putting, however, was when I found out the preschool at Westminster Chapel in Bellevue was having my three year old daughter recite the pledge when she was attending preschool there once a week, a while ago, while my wife was at a meeting there. I find it just as confusing. I have to remind myself that what other people mean by “Christian” (that is, someone who has prayed the prayer and therefore will get into heaven, and who attends church regularly, and perhaps one or two other things) and what I mean by “Christian” (that is, someone who has decided that what jesus said/did–the way of Jesus–is something they want to follow/emulate) are very different things. Of course it seems absurd to me to at the same time call oneself a christian and pledge one’s allegiance to Rome, er, I mean the United States. But that’s only because I mean something esle by “Christian”. Using the … majority definition of the word, it’s not absurd at all.
I think that if my children do end up in public school here, I shall strongly encourage them *not* to say the pledge, and teach them why. And speak … diplomatically with their teacher about this, so that he/she can make space for that, if they aren’t already. I imagine this wouldn’t be a problem so much in
Seattle, but I bet over in Eastern Washington, for instance, or in Virginia, or … Texas, it would create rather a furor in some places.
On the other hand, I like the liberty and justice for all idea.
It’s just that I can’t reconcile myself to the idea that the republic stands for that now, if it ever did.
Interesting that it was originally first just an advertising technique to sell flags! And associated with a celebration of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Columbus (and thus the beginning of the destruction of the native americans)
Comment by: Helen
5 05/23/07 7:55 AM | Comment Link |My kids used to go to AWANA. At AWANA you say two pledges: the US Pledge and then the AWANA Pledge.
Let’s see…I bet I can find it on Google…here it is:
Comment by: Julie Clawson
6 05/23/07 9:13 AM | Comment Link |I know some high school teachers who complain about the trouble maker kids who refuse to say the pledge. Teachers here are required to lead it once a day, but the students aren’t required to say it. But they just assume that if a student won’t say it, he is just being rebellous and trying to get attention. She said she makes him at least stand up and look like he is part of the group. This teacher is in general a very open minded person who questions a lot of stuff, but who has so bought into the disciplene to conformity mentality of the public school that she couldn’t see that the student might have real issues with the pledge.
Comment by: Karlene
7 05/23/07 12:45 PM | Comment Link |The church we used to attend had a program for kids, probably similar to AWANA, in which they were taught to say the pledge to the US flag, the Christian flag, and the Bible. I think the Christian flag is even more offensive, as it is red,white & blue and (please correct me if my understanding is wrong) used exclusively by N. American Christians. The pledge to the Bible is also very strange. Isn’t a Christian’s allegiance ultimately to Christ? I’ve never heard a pledge of allegiance to Christ.
I love our country because it is my home and because at its best it is wonderful. But at its worst, our country is guilty of horrific sins which I cannot commend as a follower of Jesus. As Ben said, we have a hard time with that ‘liberty and justice for all’ thing.
Comment by: benjamin ady
8 05/23/07 1:18 PM | Comment Link |Karlene,
yeah, I grew up with those three plegdes. Very strange. One of the basic tenets of our faith, and as Julie points out, sometimes of the public school system, was “Don’t *think*, just conform!” Very sad. I’m so thankful to have … escaped that whole thing. I coulda totally been there the rest of my life. Lots of people do. This is such a strange country in so many ways, something I’ve come to realize more and more as I’ve gained a more international perspective. Our semi secular, semi religious jingoism and patriotism are both way out there, and also fairly scary.
Comment by: Staci
9 05/23/07 2:50 PM | Comment Link |I didn’t know that it was originally a marketing ploy, Benjamin. Thanks for sharing that. It’s good to reevaluate our traditions from time to time. Teaching the pledge tradition to 3 yr. olds is a way such things become a habit before a person can possibly understand what they are doing.
I’ve experienced the weird looks when I didn’t participate in saying the pledge. But I think it is weirder that the people who thought I was disrespectful put a bumper sticker of the flag on their dirty truck, painted their birdhouses like the flag (and we know what birds do there), and/or wore clothing made out of flag-like material.
Comment by: Doreen
10 05/27/07 9:31 AM | Comment Link |I would no longer say the pledge when it a situation expected to. My attitude is reinforced by the scary order the president just signed giving him, and him alone, control of the country in the event of a national emergency. No power or decision sharing with the other branches, JUST HIM!
Comment by: Rachel
11 05/30/07 8:17 AM | Comment Link |That IS scary, Doreen! I wonder what he defines as an “emergency”?!
Many of George Bush’s critics refer to him as “the imperial president” - it seems that title is becoming increasingly accurate.
Comment by: Janice
12 05/30/07 1:36 PM | Comment Link |Rachel, I’ve thought about this a lot recently too, its funny that I should log in and see this.
For me the jury is out and I guess its not something that I completely ‘get’ the extreme horror over. I feel some mild misgivings which I have been in the process of examining.
To me the pledge does not suggest that my ‘allegiance’ to my nation supercedes my allegiance to Christ. I get hung up on though the ‘to the republic’ part, as in my allegiance to the government. I think I am loyal to my government - but I think the idea of loyalty has come to mean unquestioning, unthinking, going along with. To me thats not loyalty, it could be the kiss of death. Being loyal to, to me, means supporting the best outcome. (helping someone or something be the best it can be)
I AM loyal to my country in that I am not going to purposefully do something that I think would be detrimental to my country or the people of my country. I AM loyal to the ideas of democracry, justice for all, one nation, not divided.
I think the way people react to the pledge also has to do with their upbringing, its apparently been synonymous for many christians as a part of their faith. To me it never has been. I’d be disappointed if I ever heard the pledge being performed in a church for instance. That’s so far outside of my scope of experience it sounds much like a caricature or spoof (what is the word I am looking for!???) but I am sure it happens.
SO thats my .02. :)
Janice
Comment by: Doreen
13 06/2/07 3:30 PM | Comment Link |Hi Janice,
Your posting reminded me of an offline conversation I heard recently concerning the placement of the US flag on or near the altar. I’m not sure if it’s a denomination requirement for some denoms, always optional, etc., but to me it does muddy the waters of exactly who or what is supposed to be what we are most loyal to.
Comment by: Rachel
14 06/3/07 10:11 PM | Comment Link |I think you are right, Janice. For me, American Civil Religion was always part of my Christian faith. I grew up in churches where there was always an American flag on stage, next to the red, white and blue “Christian flag” Karlene mentioned. In our Fourth of July services, we saluted the flag, sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic and prayed for military victory over our enemies.
In the run-up to the Iraq War, my pastor preached a sermon asserting that the US-led invasion was justified by Scripture. His sole sermon text was Romans 13; there was no mention of the Sermon on the Mount or St Augustine’s Just War criteria. I was pleased to be reassured that my country was on the side of right and good.
In the early days of the invasion, I attended a rally organized by the local VFW hall in my town. It was billed as a “Support the Troops” rally but it really turned out to be a pro-war rally. We marched through the center of town waving American flags, until we reached the courthouse square where several elected officials offered public prayers for a swift military victory.
Recently while reading Shane Claiborne’s book, I learned more about the early days of the “shock and awe” bombing of Baghdad. Shane told about being in a hospital, standing next to the bed of a badly injured little girl. He said that she kept shaking uncontrollably and saying over and over, “What did I do to America? What did I do to America?” I wept bitter tears of shame and regret as I realized that about the same time that little child was suffering, I was marching down the streets of my town, chanting, “USA! USA!”
As Job said, I repent in sackcloth and ashes. I will not pledge my allegiance to America again.
Comment by: David H
15 06/6/07 10:15 PM | Comment Link |I stopped saying the pledge while I was in high school. I stood with the class, but didn’t put my hand over my heart and didn’t even mouth the words. My problem with the pledge began with the words “one nation under God.” I knew it wasn’t true and, according to the democratic principles I was studying in civics, not exactly something the nation should even aspire to. Which God would we be one nation under — the God of Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Muslims?
I was raised in a very conservative home. I went to churches and Sunday Schools where the Pledge of Allegiance and American Flag seemed almost as important as the opening prayer and pulpit. But there was something wrong with those words and eventually I came to the conclusion there was something bigger wrong with the whole pledge. (My parents were very upset with me years later when I defended the right of protestors to burn the flag and opposed efforts to add a Constitutional amendment banning that practice.)
A question I have asked of myself and of others is: If my citizenship in heaven came into conflict with my citizenship in the US, which am I expected to put first. The problem with civil religion is the blurring of the borders between THE kingdom of heaven and a kingdom on earth. Inevitably, the result of that blurring hinders my allegiance to heaven. That hindrance may begin with innocent compromise and lead to white lies. Eventually, though, it results in a power of the world usurping the place of God. After all, Jesus made clear that no one can serve two masters.
Despite that I have not told my kids they shouldn’t say the pledge and I have never spoken to their teachers about it. My children know I don’t say the pledge — they have seen me at public events and heard me explain to them and others why I don’t participate. I hope it will prepare them to decide for themselves how to separate their faith from their country.
Just as an aside, I am equally alarmed by the pledge to the Bible. I went to churches as a child where that was an expected part of Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. I am concerned about the bibliodatry that seems rampant in some Christian circles. To be a follower of Christ means that your allegiance is to Jesus — not the book that talks about him.
Comment by: Janice
16 06/7/07 9:41 AM | Comment Link |Hi Rachel! thanks for your post. I am always still a bit stunned when I hear about faith like that which you speak of - I hope I never lose that ’stunned’ feeling when I hear of it. I don’t want to be immune…. It is so far from what I know and hope for. Its a bit scary to me.
The story of the little girl is beyond words. I think that for many, right or wrong, that is what they feel about the Sept 11 attacks. and what others have felt down through the ages in times of deadly attacks. What did “I” do? What did “I” do to deserver this, provoke this, etc. Seems like in any given case there is always someone who feels they have an answer. Some ‘justifiable’ words to say that alleviate their responsibility.
What circumstances had you marching through town chanting USA?
David, I appreciate your comments both here and in other places ont his blog. I have spent far more time this morning reading here than I should have. Regarding saying the words - “one nation under God”, is there any room in your mind or way of thinking that can incorporate the idea that we are ALL nations under ‘god’ whether we identify with ‘a’ god or not. ? What you mean by god and what I mean by god or what someone else means by god may be different things - can the words take on whatever meaning the speaker intends and/or can they stand apart from any meaning we attach to them and have a greater meaning altogether? [I am thinking of organizations such as AA and NA that use God (some have converted to 'higher power') in their creed]
I’ve never heard of a pledge to the bible - again, a custom I am totally unfamiliar with but share the alarm over. There is such a large sect of christians who seem to have an idolotry to the bible from what I have encountered even apart from knowing of a pledge to it.
I share your concern over a possible conflict re: citizenship, I have never considered the pledge to be in conflict with my ‘pledge’ to Christ but can certainly see the implications and that is one thing I have been pondering this past year. I have found myself refraining from saying the pledge on occassion recently though I have to admit my instances of ‘pledge saying’ are very few and very far between. I did get some chills though the last time I stood in my sons kindergarten class and the pledge came on. I’d love to chat with some of the parents of the children in his class as my region is VERY ethnically diverse - in preschool and kindergarten both we’ve had at least 8 different nations represented with many of them being rather new to the US.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I will be considering much of what I’ve read here and look forward to reading the most recent topic posted.
Janice
Comment by: David H
17 06/7/07 10:23 AM | Comment Link |As a writer, I believe that words are important. It is about what you say and how you say it and especially why. I also believe that all nations are “under” God. C.S. Lewis was once asked if he believed God thought about us. His response was essentially that if we weren’t on God’s mind we would cease to exist. But all nation’s under God isn’t what the pledge is about. I don’t think I could say it now even without the God part. I owe this country and Jesus did say I must pay that debt in Cesar’s coinage. But that isn’t my allegiance to the flag or the nation for which it stands. Such allegiance would too often conflict with my true obligations. I’m not going to try and make anyone else stop, but I can’t say those words anymore.
Comment by: Janice
18 06/7/07 11:12 AM | Comment Link |Thanks David. In no way was I attempting to sway your thinking, just understand it. :) I agree with you overall. I am interested in exploring intersections - convergences, and divergences of thought.
While I agree that all nations are under God, what I was considering was your comment re: “whose god” when we say the pledge. I can imagine different people mean different things when they say it. Interesting that the original pledge never had the words ‘under God’ in it to begin with.
You said: ’such allegiance would too often confilct with my true obligations’ — that is another area I am exploring for myself - what are my true obligations and if the superceding obligations inherent in that of my faith actually includes obligations to my nation (pledge or no pledge). I recognize that for many though, ‘obligation’, ‘oathe’, or ‘pledge’ to the nation has meant ‘unquestioning submission to’ which I think is very far from what our real obligation to our nation should be.
Janice
Comment by: Doreen
19 06/7/07 11:32 AM | Comment Link |hi David H,
I have so much respect for you for stopping to say the pledge in H.S.
You wrote
Bibliodatry is one of my newest hot buttons. It’s frustrating when you try to dialog with something about your interpretation of what Jesus said and they start quoting chapter/verses at you.
Comment by: David H
20 06/7/07 11:37 AM | Comment Link |My bigger problem on that subject is when people start saying it is OK to do something because God ordered it done in the old testament — such as going to war and wiping out entire nations.
I don’t call my self a Godite or a Biblian. I call myself a Chrisian — a follower of Christ. That doesn’t negate or invalidate anything that appears in the rest of the Bible. But it does mean that I am obligated to take the tack Jesus either discussed or exampled in his life.
The pastor of my church calls it using Jesus as the lens through which I see the Bible, just as Jesus is the lens through which God sees me. Thank goodness for the latter, because without Jesus to obscure God’s vision of me then the rest of the Bible seems to indicate I would be in rather significant trouble.
Comment by: Janice
21 06/7/07 11:47 AM | Comment Link |I couldn’t agree more David. On a related note, I saw a couple of bumper stickers not long ago - one of them said something about God’s army in Iraq - or God’s soldiers….made me want to gag. And the other said something about “its not our place to judge, we’re just arranging the meeting”. That left me so cold. So very cold.
That is a great analogy of lenses David. Thanks for sharing it. I will be referring to that frequently over the coming days. :)
Janice
Comment by: Rachel
22 06/7/07 3:37 PM | Comment Link |Janice, it was the rally I mentioned that was sponsored by the local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Hall. The stated purpose of the event was to demonstrate our support of the troops. This was very important to me as my dad had always spoken bitterly about how horribly many of his Vietnam vet friends had been treated after they returned home.
For our friends abroad who might not be familiar, the public opposition to our war in Vietnam was very intense. Many of our servicemen (a great number of whom had been drafted involuntarily) returned home, not to welcome parades, but to being spit upon and called “baby-killers.” My husband’s boss was pelted with rotten tomatoes when he arrived back home after serving in Vietnam. Like many Americans, I was very concerned that such a scenario not be repeated.
I also completely believed our government’s rationale for the war in Iraq. While I thought war was a tragedy, I never questioned that Saddam Hussein had WMD and posed an emminent threat and that military intervention was necessary. I also genuinely believed that we were doing a great service to the Iraqi people by freeing them from such an evil dictator.
The plan for the rally was to begin at the VFW Hall and then march through the downtown mall of our medium sized town to assemble at the federal courthouse. Many people carried flags and “support the troops, hooray for the USA” types of banners. The chant of “USA! USA!” arose spontaneously during the mile long walk. Even at the time, I felt very ambivalent about the chanting. I was caught up in the crowd, yet I had a nagging feeling something wasn’t right.
My subsequent journey over the last four years has led me to a very different view of nationalism and militarism and of my faith in Christ. I’m not proud that I participated in such a rally, though I know that Christ has forgiven me. And I am completely disillusioned with the American civil religion that I was taught at my prosperous, conservative megachurch.
Comment by: Rachel
23 06/7/07 4:55 PM | Comment Link |Brian McLaren also says that we must interpret Paul in light of Jesus, not Jesus in light of Paul.
Comment by: David H
24 06/7/07 5:10 PM | Comment Link |Rachel, I think Paul would agree with McLaren.