For many of us, whether we would express it this way or not, America is (or close to) a Christian nation. It is true that many of our foundational values as a nation, as expressed in the Constitution and elsewhere, appealed to Christian principles.
Ideas like inherent value, equal rights, freedom of religion (whether for or against Christianity), etc. - these are ideas that we hear about in church in varying degrees. There are also campaigns, of sorts, being led by some Christians who genuinely believe and/or want America to be a Christian nation because they are convinced that if we could convince others of this, then many of the problems plaguing our nation (divorce, abortion, homosexual agendas, etc) would be fixed.
This belief in a Christian nation is further sealed in our hearts by the Pledge of Allegiance:
I pledge allegiance to the flag
Of the United States of America
And to the Republic for which it stands
One nation, under God, indivisible
With liberty and justice for all
Liberty, justice, indivisibility... all under God? While many of us would agree that to be a patriot does not necessarily cause one to be a Christian, it is almost considered blasphemous to consider that a Christian living in America may not be very patriotic. Many of our churches, in fact, are led by former military men and women whether as clergy or lay people.
The American qualities present within Christianity are particularly emphasized on the Fourth of July weekend. For example, at my church over the past weekend, there was a man dressed in full military garb who gave a short speech about why he serves his country, how he loves his country, how he is thankful not just to enjoy his freedoms, but to fight so that others might do the same -- it was an inspiring speech. To conclude his speech, he led the congregation in the pledge of allegiance, him saluting the flags onstage and the congregation holding their hands over their hearts, hats removed (it was an outside service), pledging their allegiance to a flag, a country. Pledging allegiance to a country... in the middle of a service designed to honor God.
I know it may not be popular to do so, and I know that there are many who would disagree with me, but saying the pledge of allegiance in a church service is idolatry - worshiping someone, or something else, when we should be worshiping God.
Its not that I am against the pledge of allegiance altogether; in fact, I think it to be a great and valuable resource to the American people. I say it now and again myself, depending on the circumstances. But we need to take a serious, reverent pause before we consider saying the pledge of allegiance during our worship services. Such an act, while it may not seem like a big deal, is a huge deal. Perhaps, even, the fact that it seems so small is what makes it a big deal - when we treat God and his presence as something trite, normal, or trivial, we are putting ourselves into a very dangerous position with Him as we are prone to abuse the very one we are meeting to experience and glorify.
I want us to imagine how Jesus might have responded if the Jews of his day had been pledging their allegiance to Rome in the midst of their sacrificing in the temple. I can't imagine he would have allowed them to compartmentalize the two; even had Rome had an "under God" clause in it (by the way, in case you were unaware, the words "under God" were not added to the pledge of allegiance until the 1950's -- see more
here). Or perhaps we should consider how God might feel if we replaced "flag" and "nation" with "currency" and "wealth" - no that's too stark a difference in our minds. How about we replace "flag" and "nation" with "denomination" and "beliefs"? Now we're getting a little uncomfortable, aren't we?
I want to make something clear: I'm not advocating for an anarchist mindset or one where we become disrespectful of our history, our nation, or those who sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms. We
should vow to our nation, promising to sacrifice for her. We
should be thankful for those who have sacrificed on our behalf. We should even, dare I say, celebrate our nation's birthday - but when it comes to pledging allegiance in a church service, that should be reserved for God.
The reason is simple: pledging allegiance to the State in the same breath that we are worshiping God leads to a conflict of interest. What happens, for example, when keeping our allegiance to the State results in being in opposition to God? What happens when our commitment to Christ necessitates a forsaking of our nation? It is all too easy to assume that we would be willing to make the hard decision, but more likely we'll attempt to walk the middle line and thus compromise both our allegiance to our nation, and our commitment to God resulting in a lukewarm patriotism and a lukewarm faith.
Further, when any symbol is compared to, set aside as equal to, or
pledged allegiance to when a cross - the very instrument that was used
crucify the god-man who died a brutal death so that we might not suffer
the punishment for our sins -is in the room, we have problems.
Church leaders: leave the pledge of allegiance out of your services. Everyone else: next time your church starts the pledge, exercise your freedom, and remain silent. If you are going to err, err on the side of devotion to God.
What do you think: Is there a line between patriotism and idolatry? Should we be reciting the pledge of allegiance in church?
Jesse is a twenty-something married guy living in Colorado who is trying to figure out what it means to follow Christ in the twenty-first century. He is finding that there is no one way to be Christian, no single belief system, no single Bible interpretive method. Faith is too messy for that. You can read more of his thoughts at his blog, Balancing Tension.
Personally, I find it unnecessary to have an American flag on a church altar, but I also have a compassion and concern for soldier fighting overseas. I know that these experiences can be tragic and difficult, and the last thing I want is for American soldiers to feel unappreciated, or even hated, by American Christians.
And yet, Christ-followers must not merely agree with every political action that America takes (especially if it doesn't line up with the ethics of the kingdom of God), but we must learn to disagree respectfully and lovingly.
As my pastor would say, there's nothing wrong with being patriotic, but we just need to remember that America is not our kingdom.
We must always be wary of anyone who thinks that the voice of God and the voice of the nation are the same. The Psalms remind us that the nations (our included) are the dust on God's scales. I would not want to ever worship dust in the presence of God.
I think Jeff's pastor has it most right!
However, a couple of points where I have a different view.
Worship is not just something we do on Sundays. We offer up our lives as living sacrifices every day, Romans 12:1, in everything we do, Col. 3:17, whether to the one true God, or to other gods (like self, for instance). We can worship other gods (idolatry) in even our smallest actions and thoughts every day. In fact, we commit idolatry like that so much more than in "official" ways.
So if it is idolatry to say the pledge in church service on Sunday, then it is idolatry to say it any other time and place. But I maintain that it is not idolatry.
Allegiance to a nation and allegiance to God are not mutually exclusive. In fact, in the United States it is recognized that citizens of other countries reside in the U.S. have a dual allegiance. The only sticking point is that in the case that there is a conflict, U.S. law says that allegiance to the U.S. trumps allegiance to the other state. At any rate, in Acts we have support for civil disobedience in that case, "we must obey God rather than man". But we are blessed to live in a country where there is usually not any conflict. In those cases, God does want us to have allegiance to our own country: obey the laws, don't commit treason, etc.
I take it a step further and choose (in ALMOST every case) to refrain from saying the pledge of allegiance at all. I understand that it is part of our national heritage and all that, but it certainly is idolatry.
Admittedly, I "pledge" my allegiance to different gods on a daily basis through my actions, but this particular act seems pretty blatant in placing it before God. And it is one that I can easily remedy by just refraining. Great post.
Jeff - Surely there is tension to this issue. Especially for those of us who have served in the military or have military family - it is an issue that is very close to home. I want to emphasize again that I am very thankful for their service and do not write this article out of any sort of disrespect whatsoever. I do feel, however, that in the context of a worship service our allegiance and devotion should go to God alone - anything else seems...wrong, or at least disrespectful to God. Imagine how it might be perceived for one of the President's children to pledge their allegiance to another country while sleeping in the White House - it just doesn't seem like they quite appreciate their American-ness and status as daughters of the President, does it?
Josh - Allow me to clarify what I mean when I say that freedom of religion is a Christian ideal. You're right, the history of Christendom has seen many abuses and many "holy wars," instances where Christians were forcing their religions on others or face punishment, even death. I do not deny that fact. However, I do dispute the idea that such actions were/are sanctioned by Christ. Free will is inherent in the Gospel message. God wants us to choose him, make no mistake, but he will not force himself upon anyone. Any attempt by his followers to do otherwise should be denounced as anything but Christian - Constantine, the Crusaders and any other historical Christian figure. This is what I am referring to when I say freedom of religion. Sorry for any confusion.
Kevin - Great story for the teens - I have imagined similar scenarios with the Great Samaritan parable in an attempt to bring it home. Good work...let me know how it goes!
Tom - You are right, worship is not something we just on Sundays, it is the entirety of our lives. That said, worship, while it may be encompassed within the "everything" of our lives, is also a deliberate action confined to a specific space and time. The obvious analogy is a marriage - everything you do shows your love to your wife from cleaning the dishes to complimenting her hair, but love is also those quality times spent with just her where you make it a point to tell her the things you don't normally tell her, but actually do believe. I hope that makes sense, I'm trying to be brief, but concise.
To address your other point, you're right, devotion to God and allegiance to God are not necessarily mutually exclusive. However, I take issue with you on one point: simply because we have the freedom of religion in America, does not mean that nationalism is not vying for our worship. There are, as you pointed out, many idols we allow into our lives and they take many forms: from the "bad" like money and sex to the "good" like family and community - I see nationalism as a similar potential idol and see any pledge to the allegiance thereof, particular in a time and place that is reserved solely for God, as borderline (if not flagrant) idolatry.
Looking forward to your responses!
Yes, worship should be always and not just on Sunday morning. But just in that one little space of my week I would strongly prefer not to tear my attention away from the Lord to cheerlead for the USA. Still, I find myself standing and mumbling resentfully through the pledge every service, because my protesting would probably run someone else off the rails...or at least that is what I tell myself.
No simple answers. Still, it is good to read someone else who feels the same way. Thanks for making me feel a bit less alone in this.
Although for some maybe that's an issue. Those people would not do things such as say the pledge ANYWHERE at ANYTIME, not just in church. I maintain they have a wrong idea of what the pledge is SUPPOSED to be. But if they truly in their heart think that it is denying God then they should refrain, of course.
However, I think that the core issue here, for Jesse and others, is that they are unhappy about it being a part of their church's ritual. The issue in that case is the institutionalization of things in the church. (my bias here is that I do not attend an institutional church) When a church has some kind of ritual that everyone is "expected" to do, then the implication can be that if you don't then your heart is not in unity with God. (I can understand why such a thing would certainly be a distraction from setting our hearts on God during a church service!) This is especially the case with the pledge. When the pledge of allegiance is brought into the church, then the associated expectations are also brought in. So I can see that part of Jesse's point. However, this can be a problem with ANYTHING that we bring in and hold up as a litmus test of our heart (or a litmus test of IDOLATRY!). That is legalism. What matters is our heart itself.
John
Steve
'under God' wasn't added until the 1950's because in the era of the Cold War, having God on our side meant God wasn't on the gosh dern Commies' side.
The fact that we pledge allegiance to a country but try to justify it as a country that is under God is so confusing. Seeing as how the only 'nation' ever to be truly 'under God' in the bible was Israel.
Also, even though the founding father's principles may be aimed towards good morals, greater good, and christian ideals. It was not founded on Christianity.
"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."- Treaty of Tripoli, Article 11
This topic is highly disputed but that's my stand on it.
Also, the fact that a soldier can say he fights for God and Country is way too messed up. We fight for God by showing unconditional love and compassion, you fight for country with a rifle in your hands.
"I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creation of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him." –Napoleon
How can a country founded upon force for the freedom of import tax from England say it is also fighting for God....
Idk... this comment probably sounds like more of a rant. But I think I needed it. sry about that....
Good comments. I agree with what you said about the country not being founded on Christianity. The philosophical climate at the time was one that attempted to have the moral convictions of orthodox Christianity based on "natural" observations, living of the borrowed capital of hundreds of years of moral reflection but acting like they had just discovered it.
In my personal reflections I have come to a point where I no longer believe in the fundamentalist (or perhaps, gnostic) dualism that is only capable of seeing the world in black or white through American democratic moral ideals. We have tried for so long to prove that we are democratic to people who are heirs of the Enlightenment and explicitly rejected the revealed word (and Word) of God that we never even question whether democracy is really God's best political system.
I have come to the conclusion (tentatively) that God is not at all concerned with upholding our political rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. He calls out to us that He is life, in Him is liberty, and that happiness can be found nowhere else. To that end, as individual citizens, we are to "turn the other cheek."
But Paul explicitly states that governments are there to enforce laws as God's emissaries. They might be morally corrupt, and their laws may not be perfectly just, but the expectation that such a scenario is possible this side of heaven is just another Enlightenment bias that is found nowhere in Scripture. God has given these governments the duty to protect their citizens and to stamp out injustice. Often this gets mixed up with WMD and personal vendettas, but when I saw the stories of how Saddam executed people in droves and dumped them in mass graves I, with trembling heart and much trepidation, thanked God for his terrible mercy to the Iraqi's. It doesn't mean that all the other stuff that surrounded the war and our plans to turn them into Westerners is right, but Saddam was a bad dude.
I think back on how things were for the first couple centuries of Christians living in the Roman Empire, or at best, in a Jewish culture that was often hostile towards the new sect following Jesus. Almost all of the apostles went out into "non-Christian" nations and died in those nations. They took their lights into the darkness as Christ called us to.
But don't we American Christians tend to try and hoard our lights in one land and make it "a Christian nation"? And then we get really upset when someone dares to suggest that our loyalties to Christ and nation should be separate?
I think of the cross of Jesus Christ and all it means. The absolute, holy, perfect Creator God. He loved the unloveable. The Clean came among the Unclean. The only deserving One came and gave His life to the undeserving. Grace. He came and died for us. He loved the wicked. Mercy came instead of judgment. He loved the outcast. He loved the sinners. He loved His enemies. He died for them all, both worthy and unworthy (and all are unworthy). Grace.
Is *THAT* what the United States is about? Is the USA founded on the cross? Founded on GRACE?? Founded on Christ's finished work of atonement? Founded on His agape love?
If we focus just on the "name" of Christ and the laws of the old covenant, we can maybe convince ourselves that such things are "Christianity" and as such we have "a Christian nation". But wow, where is the CROSS? Where is GRACE? Where AGAPE love? You can't quite found a nation on those things. Not an earthly nation, anyway. That's why He said His kingdom is not of this world.
And, hallelu Yah, that is why His kingdom can penetrate, flourish, thrive and survive in *ANY* nation on earth -- no matter what the state religion may be!
Time to let the Cross of Grace break up the proud ground in our hearts! (A picture I did of that: http://art-for-jesus.blogspot.com/2008/10/praying-for-america.html)
"The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power is Destroying the Church" by Gregory Boyd
"Jesus for President" by Shane Claiborne
"Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World" by Lee Camp
"Jesus and Empire: The Kingdom of God and the New World Disorder" by Richard Horsley
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