Bible Question:
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 |
Bible Answer: 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 |