Why as a Christian I Don't Pledge Allegiance to the American Flag

PJ Media ^ | September 12, 2016 | John Ellis

[C19fan]

Colin Kaepernick's decision to remain seated during the playing of the national anthem has generated a lot of noise. Seemingly carving the divide between Americans into an even larger chasm, people's anger has consumed the controversy and shut down most attempts at actual dialogue. Within that cultural framework, I meekly submit that I do not pledge allegiance to the American flag because I am a Christian. I pray that instead of adding to the division, my reason(s) why I do not will encourage fellow Believers as well as prompt unbelievers to research what it means to be a Christian.

[Heart of Georgia]

The red, white and blue is a symbol of what we’re supposed to be as a country, including the principles established in our Constitution.

Now if they tell me in order to be loyal to my country I must disavow my Lord, that’s a different story and will not happen.

Other than that, there’s nothing wrong with pledging allegiance to our country, IMO.

[CapitalistCrusader]

The Pledge is an interesting subject to me. It was written by a socialist Baptist Minister, Francis Bellamy, in 1892. More than 100 years after the Declaration and the adoption the Constitution.

I have often wondered what the Founders would have thought of a pledge of allegiance to the federal government. I've come to the conclusion that most of them would abhor it.

Don't get me wrong. I revere the flag and principles for which it stands. I just think a pledge of allegiance flies in the face of the Revolution.

[tumblindice]

“Why as a Christian ... what it means to be a Christian”

“And if those same people started ignoring the athletes, this would all dry up quickly.”

1 Thessalonians 5:14
Parallel Verses
New International Version
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

We’re just going by what the author wrote: “because I am a Christian ... my fellow believers”.
These things Jesus said and Paul wrote weren’t intended as suggestions.

[Theophilus]

If all the people having a shit fit over this flag brouhaha were equally passionate about the Constitution having been overthrown by a Fascist oligarchy, the future would look brighter than it does.

Amen

I pledge alliegence to the Lord Jesus Christ and those who do the will of His Father.

Matthew 12:50
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

[Romulus]

The pledge was originally conceived and promoted by socialists. I believe in a constitutional right to secession, and therefore reject the concept of indivisibility. I do not recognize the republic described in the pledge, where liberty and justice are universal.

Anyway, I already have a religion. This world is passing away.

[CyberAnt]

Jesus told us .. “... be subject to those in authority”. If you don’t like those in authority, get off your duff and elect somebody else.

[SkyDancer]

Good point. Maybe he’s a closet JW. But then, he did stand before all this BLM nonsense.

[tumblindice]

Since some here mention socialists, here you go: the communists and 9th Circuit agree with your position that the pledge of allegiance is a bad thing:
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2004/07/pldg-j01.html
The SCOTUS disagreed.

[PghBaldy]

For me, and probably many people, what Colin and the other players is doing is different. It is not rooted in sincere religious belief, it is rooted in hatred of police, white people, and the USA in general.

[wardaddy]

That’s why it says UNDER GOD

dumbass

(At thread..not you.....you’d be surprised how many original posters think it’s at them)

[EarlT357]

Beat me to it!

A real Christian understands this; a Leftist poseur does not!

[cymbeline]

This guy is overthinking (go to the link). You can have allegiance to more than one thing. He says his allegiance is only to God. If he has children he probably has allegiance them, etc.

Having allegiance to America means to me that I support the constitution and I’ll support America when others are trying to run it down.

[marron]

I have often wondered what the Founders would have thought of a pledge of allegiance to the federal government.

But of course we don't pledge allegiance to the government. Its to the flag that represents the country, and not the government.

Further along those lines, you'll note that soldiers and public officials pledge to uphold the Constitution, they do not pledge loyalty to any government either.

So as long as loyalty the flag doesn't contradict our prior allegiance to God, it is not idolatry though I have heard some people try to say so.

[EarlT357]

You are flat WRONG!

Its a pledge to the REPUBLIC, i.e. the form of government establish by the Constitution.

So in essence, it is a pledge to the Constitution itself.

[Ohioan]

The idea that there is some sort of failure of Faith to pledge allegiance to America is ridiculous. Patriotism is simply an expansion of the concept of the Fifth Commandment. It is a family sort of thing--as clearly recognized by the Preamble to our written Constitution, which requires our putting America First ("Who We Are?" (Trump Supporters)).

I am sure that the writer means well, but the implication is that there was some sort of moral failure, when the Founding Fathers pledged to one another, before the Creator, their "lives, their fortunes & their sacred honor."

[stocksthatgoup]

“Yeah, that’s the ticket. Would you believe ................?
Hillary: “He could be my son!” /s

[Ohioan]

You are being much to kind to Kaepernick. He is actually lending celebrity credence to the Soros backed war on the Police, which is making inner city neighborhoods much more dangerous, forcing the law abiding in those neighborhoods to live in fear, as the Police are forced to display far less profile than the neighborhood need actually calls for.

Kaepernick is a gullible idiot, if he thinks he is actually conferring a benefit on those with whom he claims to identify.

[tumblindice]

I see it as a balancing between the duty owed to God and to the state. Maybe trying to achieve the golden mean.
Notice that the SCOTUS rejected the plaintiff’s claim on technical grounds. With more leftists on the SCOTUS, I expect soon the pledge may be outlawed.
Agree that it is tough to take the position that you agree with the communists and reject His commandments, then hold yourself out as a Christian.
But I reject the “You’re a flag worshipper!” position. This is the greatest country on Earth. Preachers, priests and rabbis don’t give us the right to freedom of worship: soldiers, sailors and airmen did and do, and the same people who attack the pledge of allegiance and Old Glory itself are degrading our armed forces and threatening the natural right of the people to keep and bear arms.

By saluting the flag, IMHO, admittedly we inculcate in young Americans the importance of dedicating ourselves as a people to the proposition—that this novel modern experiment in the notion that people are capable of governing themselves—is viable and ongoing.
So the rub: patriots accused of being statists by Christians, while the idea of America and the Bill of Rights balances on a knife’s edge.

[thoughtomator]

Nope, sorry! The Pledge very clearly and explicitly places the flag itself first, and the Republic subordinate to it.

[catman67]

The whole “Render unto Caesar...” thing.