Okay this is going to get me in trouble with some on here, but read the whole thread before you blow a gasket.

 

My faith through Scripture says very clearly that I should not worship idols or put other things in front of God. That includes family, country, work, sports teams, etc, etc.

 

That said I quit saying the Pledge of Allegiance about 10 years ago because no one has ever convinced me with a good argument that pledging allegiance to an American flag is not idol worshipping.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE HERE: at the time of the pledge or star spangled banner, I say a prayer for the country. I pray that for the leaders of the country and for the people of the country. I pray that God will protect those in this country. I spend that time in prayer for this country. I thank God for all of the soldiers that have given me the freedoms I enjoy in this country. I pray for the kids in the sporting event I may be at or the school function.

 

Anyone got a good, Christian argument to show me that this is not bordering on idol worshipping?

I had a friend who played 8th grade basketball with me. He was a Jehovah's Witness and didn't believe in swearing oaths, pledges, etc. In school he didn't stand for the pledge or national anthems before ballgames. It's a free country and you don't have to if you don't want to.

I don't know. I worked Saturday and Sunday and the Bible says I should be put to death for working on the Sabbath. I'm a little worried about my situation right now....

Allegiance - 1) commitment: the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action 2) the loyalty that citizens owe to their country (or subjects to their sovereign)

 

I don't really see how you make the jump from allegiance to worship. I see it as nothing more than pledging to be loyal to your country, to be patriotic, etc. The flag is simply a symbol used to represent these ideas. The words in the pledge IMO do not indicate the any type of worship is taking place.

 

The national anthem is simply a patriotic song, I see it as no different than "God Bless American" or "America the Beautiful".

 

You stand up during the national anthem as a sign of respect for your country. Is this any different that standing up as a judge enters the courtroom. Does the judge now become an idol that we are worshiping?

That said I quit saying the Pledge of Allegiance about 10 years ago because no one has ever convinced me with a good argument that pledging allegiance to an American flag is not idol worshipping.

So what you're saying is, that only atheists and non-Christians should immigrate to America.

Okay this is going to get me in trouble with some on here, but read the whole thread before you blow a gasket.

 

My faith through Scripture says very clearly that I should not worship idols or put other things in front of God. That includes family, country, work, sports teams, etc, etc.

 

That said I quit saying the Pledge of Allegiance about 10 years ago because no one has ever convinced me with a good argument that pledging allegiance to an American flag is not idol worshipping.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE HERE: at the time of the pledge or star spangled banner, I say a prayer for the country. I pray that for the leaders of the country and for the people of the country. I pray that God will protect those in this country. I spend that time in prayer for this country. I thank God for all of the soldiers that have given me the freedoms I enjoy in this country. I pray for the kids in the sporting event I may be at or the school function.

 

Anyone got a good, Christian argument to show me that this is not bordering on idol worshipping?

 

I don't have a Biblical argument against it, because there is nothing wrong with it because it is your right.

 

Our soldiers live, fight, and die to preserve democracy and our rights. One of those rights is freedom of speech. Basically what I am saying in a nutshell is it is your right to do as you please as long as you don't tread on others :thumb:

 

As far as Christian arguments go, sorry I have none. The flag is not to be worshipped any more than the ark of the covenant was. It was a major symbol of EXTREME IMPORTANCE that deserved respect.

:walk:The flag is our freedom of many things, it is not worshipped in anyway , IMO. We owe or I owe it to those who fight and have died for these rights. I do this as a thank you to them , this is not worship. But people have died to let you and other have this privledge. Just my thought.

Let me add that I feel the same way with the pledge of allegiance that I have seen some churches do to the Christian flag or the pledge of allegiance to the Bible that I have seen some Christians do.

 

And I am very appreciative of what the soldiers have done for me. Thus, the prayer of gratitude during that time and my asking for a Christian argument to show that is okay.

So what you're saying is, that only atheists and non-Christians should immigrate to America.

 

If that was true, why would I spend that time in prayer thanking God for those who have come before me and give me the freedoms I do and prayers for the future of this country?

 

And I am not sure where I said what you are alluding to that I said.

I agree with strike-3. I don't believe that pledging allegiance to your country overrides your dedication to your God. In fact, I believe your prayer of thanksgiving demonstrates your allegiance and I don't see where publicly pledging is any different.

LBBC, how do you feel about wedding vows?

LBBC, how do you feel about wedding vows?

Good question.

 

I think the key with the wedding vows is that mine were done with God as a focus of our relationship. We realized (not as much as we should have at that time) that God was supposed to be a part of our lives.

 

If this country believed that, it would be different. But this country has made it clear that they don't want God to be part of the leadership/focus of this country.

 

This country has stricken God from so many of the facets of this country.

 

While, I believe that this is the best country on the planet, I realize that this country has taken the position that they don't want to work for God as a country.

I agree with strike-3. I don't believe that pledging allegiance to your country overrides your dedication to your God. In fact, I believe your prayer of thanksgiving demonstrates your allegiance and I don't see where publicly pledging is any different.

 

Key thing is that it comes down to choosing between my God and my country, the country loses. It is an easy choice.

 

The 2nd commandment:

 

You shall not make for yourself a carved image -- any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.

 

I am just not willing to take the risk. Right now. If someone can convince me with Scriptures that pledging allegiance to the flag, the Christian flag, the Bible is not idolatry, I would strongly consider it.

 

I just haven't found that point, yet. And I have discussed it with Senior Ministers and Elders but neither were able to find me arguments that made it clear to me.

 

And I am not willing to take that risk.

I pledge allegiance to this country with no trepidation that God might not like it.

Key thing is that it comes down to choosing between my God and my country, the country loses. It is an easy choice.

 

 

As it should be. It is my opinion that is not what is being asked of you, but if you feel it is, then you are doing the correct thing.