PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

I have struggled with the open protests of not giving proper honor to the Flag of our country. I am not particularly a flag-waver or political patriot by any means…but if we live here, work here, have our babies and family here, have our government here (regardless of personal preference) we should honor our nation as best as our conscience will allow. We are pledging allegiance to a way of life that is based in democratic principle. Of course there are problems and inconsistencies that are unfortunate and many of these depend solely upon whom you ask about them. There are many things that seem unfair about how our society works in politics and culture. Though these things exist, protest will not remove and repair them as well as honor and respect for individuals and positions of authority.

Paul, an apostle, wrote to the church at Rome, “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (Romans 13:7) It does not mean he agreed with everything Rome was doing but that is what exists and to make the best of it.

It perhaps also reveals how we should honor other allegiances. Like how we Pledge Allegiance to One Another, as husbands/wives, children, friends, brothers/sisters, to our job…to Jesus. Flag Allegiance may just be a hint of our understanding of allegiance. So how far do we go with this line of reasoning? Peter, an apostle, wrote, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) We should give allegiance to man’s authority as long as it does not conflict with allegiance to God’s authority. Or, maybe find another country and way of life to Pledge Allegiance to.

I would like to see us put our hand over our hearts and pledge allegiance to our mates and children and see what would happen socially and culturally.

“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” Jesus