I’ve debated writing this post for months out of fear of being misunderstood. So before I get into the gist of it all, and before you write me off completely, hear what I’m NOT saying in writing this post. I’m not saying that America is evil or that it is the worst country in the world. I am not intending to disrespect those who have served in our armed forces, past and present. I have multiple family members who have served in the Reserves and I deeply appreciate them. I also am not advocating that the government ought to be ignored – Scripture is clear that we ought to respect our governing bodies within reason. What I AM (hopefully!) saying is that we need to think about what we do and say as American Christians… err… Christians who live in America.
I was reminded of my thoughts on this recently while at an Eagle Court of Honor. The ceremony opened with the presentation of the American flag and all in attendance were asked to stand and say the pledge of allegiance. I stood but refrained from reciting the pledge. In the short moments when others were reciting it, I thought about why I don’t say the pledge. Here are 5 reasons why I don’t say the pledge of allegiance.
1. The pledge of allegiance is eerily similar to the Lord’s Prayer. I noticed this the other day. The cadence of each, especially in the first few lines, is almost identical. Try it – it breaks down eventually, but the opening lines have a similar rhythm. That, combined with the placing of your hand over your heart, reminded me of worship. Now I’m NOT saying that to say the pledge of allegiance is to worship America. Rather, I think the fact that the pledge of allegiance is a liturgical action is not neutral – the repetitive nature of this action does something to us. It can form within us an inordinate love of America.
2. Pledging allegiance to my country can potentially put me at odds with my primary allegiance, Christ, and subsequently, his people. Let’s say that we go to war with Russia. It would follow then that Russians and Americans, on the whole, would be enemies. Now there are most definitely Christians in Russia, people who, by our common commitment to Christ, are my brothers and sisters. And yet, according to our countries, we would be enemies. So which allegiance ought to be primary? I think, in following Jesus, we look to him to have our loves and allegiances oriented. And I am convinced that Jesus loves people more than countries. And I ought to do the same. I pledge my allegiance to Christ and his people, not my country.
3. I don’t want to say something I don’t mean. I’ve increasingly become convicted of speaking truth in all things and not just saying things because of social convention. I have respect for America and I am thankful for the freedoms and rights that I have within America, freedom and rights that are not granted in other countries. I know that, because of America, I have the freedom to voice my thoughts without fear of being labeled a traitor. Maybe my refusal to say the pledge is actually a way of living out the radical freedom afforded by my American citizenship.
4. I don’t love America. I love Americans but not America. The same could be said for Mormonism. I don’t love Mormonism but I love Mormons. The same is true of my own faith. I don’t love Christianity, I love Jesus and I love Christians. I’d like to make a distinction and separate the concept or construct from the actual individuals who inhabit and make up that construct. So I don’t love America (the concept) but I do love Americans (the individuals).
5. I don’t think I ought to be told how to show respect to my country and it’s people. If in my marriage, I told my wife in detail how she had to love me (foot rubs every morning, no disagreements ever), it wouldn’t actually be love. It would be coercion. Now the analogy isn’t 100% but I think it applies.
Those are the reasons why I don’t say the pledge of allegiance. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me but I hope that this encourages you to think through this and other things we may take for granted. As Christians, and people in general, I think it is important for us to go through life thoughtfully.
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