"The Christian assembly is the place where we remember that there is only one ultimate allegiance, and it is to Jesus Christ. It is where we remember that any other ultimate allegiance is idolatry.
The early church didn’t pledge allegiance to Rome. They confessed Jesus as Lord — which was a political statement over against the confession that Caesar is Lord."
This made me think about the Pledge when I heard it on KLTY yesterday morning. If it does not belong in the church, does it belong on Christian radio?
I have never had a problem with the pledge. I feel that God does honor governments that are put in place, and he wants us to honor them some too. I don't feel like saying the Pledge is a big huge deal. Maybe I should. Maybe since I've had to say it in school my whole life, I just don't think much of it.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you feel churches should or should not say the pledge in their worship assemblies? Is it wrong for a Christian radio station to have the pledge aired?
Let the discussion begin!
4 comments:
Well..
First, the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the US does not say that we pledge all our allegiance to it, and in its current form (with "under God") recognizes that the civil government is subservient to the government of God. The same goes for the Texas pledge (For those that don't know it: "Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, and indivisible." Italicized words were added during the past legislative session. I'm not sure if it passed the Senate though.)
There are some denominations that forbid oaths completely, such as the Friends. I have some trouble equating the realms of the political and religious, by saying something like the pledge at church. I don't think that goes both ways, though. Churches should be able to be politically active.
Stephanie,
I saw where Mike had approx. 140 comments in regards to this post. I was amazed at people's opinions and passion over this. I guess I have never thought about it really. There has never been a flag in a church building I have been in, so don't guess I have ever said the pledge there. I guess for me saying the pledge is a way of acknowledging the freedoms that God has given us and those who have died to ensure we keep them. I don't know that saying it inside of a church building would be any different than anywhere else. After all where two or more or gathered we are the church? Anyway, I am not putting my country above my God when I say it. Guess it comes down to that verse that says let each do according to their own conscience.
Lynn summed it up nicely. I have never really thought much about it either.
Ok. I'll jump in on this. There's so much more to be said and discussed than what can be done in a reasonably-sized comment, but I will say that I think that a worship service is not really the place for the pledge of allegiance. I don't think it serves the main purpose of the gathering. However, you won't see me throwing my arms up in exasperation if it were to happen in a service I was attending.
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