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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Pledge, "under God", WWJD? | Bible general Archive 2 | Parable | 105863 | ||
In response to the "under God" controversy, Christians who object to the recent challenge to the Pledge of Allegiance might want to consider the question, What Would Jesus Do? Scripture (e.g. Romans 13) informs that all authority is ordained by God and that believers are to submit to civil authority as part of their submission to God. In the US, that civil authority ultimately is the Constitution, which precludes the establishment any official state religion. There are good reasons for this, not the least of which is the brutal persecution of independent groups of believers by powerful sectarian state churches. The Pledge is not law and therefore has no authority under the Constitution, yet it remains a nationwide daily ritual in public schools, imposed through the force of tradition. Of course, children and teachers can opt to remain silent during the Pledge, but such civil disobedience, with its associated personal costs, clearly should not be the expected norm for any student or teacher at any public school. Furthermore, for anyone in public schools to be required to recite an oath of allegience to "one nation under god" is to require them to swear an oath to that god, or at least to acknowledge that god. Consider how would you feel if the pledge were to say "one nation under Allah" or "one nation under Buddha" or "one nation under Cosmic Consciousness"? How can we be so sure that the pledge is not simply religious indoctrination imposed by the might of the majority? Is this how God operates in our lives? As Christians, are we not called to embrace the oppressed, weak and powerless, even if, especially if, we disagree with them? If the Supreme Court upholds the Pledge, it will be all too easy to gloat that justice, and God, have been served. But, the real test of moral conviction will be if "under God" gets struck down and it is Christians, not atheists, who must choose submission or disobedience. So, with all due respect I ask, what would Jesus do, submit or disobey? Please support your response with specific verses or generally accepted biblical principles. Parable |
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2 | Pledge, "under God", WWJD? | Bible general Archive 2 | EdB | 105864 | ||
Parable The question is not what would Jesus do, the question is what should a follower of Christ do? We can get all tangled up in this question, especially the what if’s. The main danger is what ever is decided can be/probably will be turned around come back and bite us, as we Christians have seen happen before. The fact the question comes up tells us where we are. Morals and character can not be legislated it must be taught by parents and developed by peers. We as a nation have allowed those morals and values be eroded not because we lacked laws or willingness to demonstrate. We lost it because we let society define us and shape our character. We have gotten so comfortable we have allowed our comfort to cause us to seek our own self centered desires even before the good of our children. We let others raise them so we can live the “good” life”. We let what we drive or where we live define who we are instead of being defined by what we believe and how we live. We can recite anything at all but unless we have the character to live a Christ like life none of it matters. Another point or question that could be raised is, should a Christian be pledging his alliance to a nation to begin with? I love this country but this country is not my home I’m a citizen of a better country one that I long for. Would I like to see “one nation under God” remain in the pledge? Yes, however I would rather see this country become a nation living for God. EdB |
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3 | Pledge, "under God", WWJD? | Bible general Archive 2 | Parable | 105949 | ||
You said "the question is not what would Jesus do, the question is what should a follower of Christ do?" I say a follower of Christ looks to Him for direction, courage and strength. Accordingly, I have offered a position and biblical support for it. Regarding the "what if's", this is not about hypothetical situations, the question is real and it is before us now. We are not talking about legislating morals, we are talking about a specific challenge to a specific practice. There are many Christians who vehemently oppose even having the dialogue, let alone submitting to the authority of the State should it come to that. As for this submission, and for pledging allegiance to a nation, Jesus said to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God. So, if you were a Supreme Court Justice with the Constitution in one hand, and as a Christian with the Bible in the other, how would you vote and how would you justify your vote on whether "under God" shall remain in the Pledge of Allegiance? Peace, Parable |
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4 | Pledge, "under God", WWJD? | Bible general Archive 2 | EdB | 105963 | ||
Parable I would vote to keep it in since this nation has established the right of religious freedom not freedom from religion. To do anything else the Supreme court moves from judicial position to legislative. If the people that want it removed they should be forced to put the issue to a vote. Somewhere this country turned from a democracy where the majority rules to what the Supreme court interprets as we can't offend anyone. That is nonsense! However that is not how things work. I would vote to keep it in on the premise that this nation was established as a God fearing nation (actually a Christian God fearing nation). Therefore those words are the essence of what this nation was. Alas that also is not how things work. How things work is to make sure special interest groups are not offended and by what people see or believe to be positive. We judge what is good therefor morals are good provided you define them, truth is good provided it is situational, justice is good provided you win, religion is bad it takes away all our fun. The real problem is instead of living Christian live we have tried to force religion down peoples throats. To the unsaved world most Christians are viewed as hypocrites, narrow minded and mean spirited. Why because we tried to legislate our religion upon them instead of living a Christian life before them. Lastly I do not see this as a line drawn in the sand issue. I seriously question whether a Christian should even pledge allegiance in the first place. Rest assured my allegiance is not to this country but rather to the Creator of this world and His Son Jesus Christ. While I support this country over any other even to the point of dying to protect it’s right to exist my allegiance remains to God. EdB |
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5 | Pledge, "under God", WWJD? | Bible general Archive 2 | SpinyNorman73 | 106111 | ||
I could not agree more with your statement that we as Christians have shot ourselves on the foot by trying to jam religion down people's throats instead of live out the Christ centered life in front of them. Why did so many people follow Jesus? Was it because he was courting poilticians and crusading to change Israel through the government? NO. They followed him because of his authentic example. If more people would apply the popular WWJD correctly, they would go to the gospels to see exactly how He did do it. I teach public school (If you want to see a battle come here) and I personally have no problem pledging my allegiance to the flag. I do this knowing that in my heart that the allegiance I pledge each morning is but a drop in the bucket compared to the allegiance my heart has to God. Christians need to set the example. |
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6 | Pledge, "under God", WWJD? | Bible general Archive 2 | EdB | 106115 | ||
My hat off to you. We talk about hero's and this nation has many but I think the real hero's are the teachers that serving in our schools today. Thank you! Your right we as Christians must set the example by our life, not the laws we pass, rules we make, or the things we say. EdB |
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