why do we salute the flag? Why do we pledge our allegiance to it?

Question

I was wondering what you thought about this. If you are a christian, isn't saluting and pledging to a flag a kinda way of worshiping a false idol? I know that you are going to say that it is a form of pride for you country, but isn't pride one of the seven deadly sins? If you think that you would have some good clarification to this, please share.

Answer 1

What scriptures have always had a bearing on the attitude of true Christians toward ceremonies involving flags and national anthems?

1 Cor. 10:14: “Flee from idolatry.” (Also Exodus 20:4, 5)

1 John 5:21: “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”

Luke 4:8: “In reply Jesus said to him: ‘It is written, “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’ ”

See also Daniel 3:1-28.

Do such patriotic symbols and ceremonies really have religious significance?

“Historian Carlton Hayes pointed out long ago that the ritual of flag-worship and oath-taking in an American school is a religious observance. . . . And that these daily rituals are religious has been at last affirmed by the Supreme Court in a series of cases.”—The American Character (New York, 1956), D. W. Brogan, pp. 163, 164.

“Early flags were almost purely of a religious character. . . . The national banner of England for centuries—the red cross of St. George—was a religious one; in fact the aid of religion seems ever to have been sought to give sanctity to national flags, and the origin of many can be traced to a sacred banner.”—Encyclopædia Britannica (1946), Vol. 9, p. 343.

“In a public ceremony presided over by the vice president of the [Military Supreme] Court, on the 19th of November, honors were shown to the Brazilian flag. . . . After the flag was hoisted, Minister General of the Army Tristao de Alencar Araripe expressed himself concerning the commemoration in this manner: ‘ . . . flags have become a divinity of patriotic religion which imposes worship . . . The flag is venerated and worshiped . . . The flag is worshiped, just as the Fatherland is worshiped.’”—Diario da Justiça (Federal Capital, Brazil), February 16, 1956, p. 1906.
With reference to patriotic ceremonies, what does secular history say about the attitude of those known as early Christians?

“Christians refused to . . . sacrifice to the emperor’s genius—roughly equivalent today to refusing to salute the flag or repeat the oath of allegiance. . . . Very few of the Christians recanted, although an altar with a fire burning on it was generally kept in the arena for their convenience. All a prisoner had to do was scatter a pinch of incense on the flame and he was given a Certificate of Sacrifice and turned free. It was also carefully explained to him that he was not worshiping the emperor; merely acknowledging the divine character of the emperor as head of the Roman state. Still, almost no Christians availed themselves of the chance to escape.”—Those About to Die (New York, 1958), D. P. Mannix, pp. 135, 137.

“The act of emperor worship consisted in sprinkling a few grains of incense or a few drops of wine on an altar which stood before an image of the emperor. Perhaps at our long remove from the situation we see in the act nothing different from . . . lifting the hand in salute to the flag or to some distinguished ruler of state, an expression of courtesy, respect, and patriotism. Possibly a good many people in the first century felt just that way about it but not so the Christians. They viewed the whole matter as one of religious worship, acknowledging the emperor as a deity and therefore being disloyal to God and Christ, and they refused to do it.”—The Beginnings of the Christian Religion (New Haven, Conn.; 1958), M. F. Eller, pp. 208, 209.

Are national flags simply signs serving some utilitarian function? What do they symbolize? “Nationalism’s chief symbol of faith and central object of worship is the flag,” stated author J. Paul Williams. The Encyclopedia Americana says: “The flag, like the cross, is sacred.” The flag is the symbol of the State. Therefore, bowing down to it or saluting it is a religious ceremony that gives reverence to the State. Such an act ascribes salvation to the State and does not harmonize with what the Bible says about idolatry.

So it is with true Christians today. In order to render Jehovah exclusive devotion, they refrain from saluting the flag of any nation. By doing so, they put God first while maintaining respect for governments and their rulers. Indeed, they recognize their responsibility to be in subjection to the governmental “superior authorities.” (Romans 13:1-7)

Answer 2

Yes, pride is one of the seven deadly sins, if you're catholic. To a protestant, they're all deadly. However, if you're catholic, then your used to surrogate symbols in the church and would have no problems. Don't salute the flag. That is a signal of respect from a military man. If you haven't served, you'll only embarass yourself. God never once told you not to pledge yourself an ally to someone. We pledge our allegiance to the flag to reaffirm our patriotism, and list our values. The republic, God, unity, liberty, justice for all; are all on the list. Because there is no specific god being prayed to (one is mentioned, but it still isn't a prayer to him), it isn't idolatry. If you were to begin asking the flag for things, or talking to it expecting an answer, then it would be idolatry- or crazy. One of those.

Answer 3

I am a christian and I see it as a way of showing my loyalty to this country. Pledging the flag is not worshiping the flag. I do not give it money or sit and pray to it like it is Ala or something. When you pledge you are saying that you will stand by your country no matter what happens to the rest of the world. Just as your marriage vows will pledge your undying love to your spouse. Pride is only sinful when you allow it to rule your thoughts and life. Do you think God did not want us to be proud of our children, or proud to be good Christians? He does not want it to stand in the way of others coming to Christ.

Answer 4

The pledge isn't SUPPOSED to be a form of worship at all. Unfortunately it was at least partially made this way in the 1950s with the addition of "under God."

Traditionally the pledge is just an affirmation of your loyalty to the country. It's all tied in with the idea of citizenship and even treason.

Answer 5

I salute the flag as a sign of respect for all the lives that have been lost to make and keep freedom. This is no more of an act of worship that respectfull calling someone sir, ma'am Mr or Mrs.

Answer 6

that was a good question, never thought of it like that before. i guess u could consider it paying respects to the forefathers of the country. but i think really its just a statement of loyalty to ones country. u dont have to look at it as worshipping or pride. "i pledge my ALLEGANCE to the flag" flag being a symbol for the country. so i guess in reality ur just stating ur loyalty.

Answer 7

This nation and that flag were founded as " one nation under GOD." Unfortunately in the last several decades...folks have forgotten that and this is the result of trying to remove Him from this nation in so many ways. It's not the nation...it's not the flag... It is God we salute.

Answer 8

doesnt matter what religion you are we take pride in what our ansestors did to bring us freedom to this country. Thats why we salute it- we also at the same time salute everyone who has protected us and kept this country free to this day.

Answer 9

its a symbol of respect and allegiance to your country. you dont worship it you pay your respects to the flag.

Answer 10

Is it a symbol of freedom we enjoy in USA.