Pledging allegiance
Isn't it even odd that we would have an American flag in a place of worship? If we went to China and found the Chinese flag prominently displayed in a place of worship what would we think? Would we think that such a church was obviously registered with the state and therefore probably compromised in their commitments? What if we went into a German church in the 1930s and found a Nazi flag draped over the communion table (it actually wasn't unusual, by the way)? Would we have been repulsed? Didn't the Nazis have the support of the German church? Is it somehow different in America simply because we say, "one nation under God?"
posted by Milton Stanley at 8:36 AM
3 Comments:
As a Brit, the answer is simple, when there is an American flag prominently displayed (as there sometimes is in Mission places of worship in Africa), I feel that I am not wanted. A national symbol includes all those who belong to the group, but excludes those from outside - as there are more non-Americans in the world than Americans, flying a flag in church excludes most Christians.
Of course, there are churches in the UK which fly the British flag and the same criticism applies (even more so - we are so small!)
1399, from Anglo-Fr. legaunce "loyalty of a liege-man to his lord," from O.Fr. legeance, from liege (see liege); erroneously associated with L. ligare "to bind;" corrupted in spelling by confusion with the now-obsolete legal term allegeance "alleviation." General fig. sense of "recognition of claims to respect or duty" is attested from 1732.
i pledge allegiance...to the Lord God of all, and to Love for which He is. One Body, under Christ, in unity, with liberty and justice for all.
Thanks, Eddie, and Nancy. I agree with you both.
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