The American flag as an idol?

Question

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic (for which it stands), one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

In the Bible, we are told not to make ourselves idols to worship. I am beginning to think that the American flag is an idol. Why should I pledge my allegiance to a flag (or even a country)? God is my life, and we are all Children of God.

I think it is silly that we should divide ourselves up into nations, and as Children of God, wage wars on other Children of God just because they pledge their allegiance to a different flag.

What would happen if I refused to stand up and recite the pledge? Could I justifiably get into trouble with the school if it is against my religion?

Hypothetically speaking, if I held a flag burning, could I get into legal trouble.

If I could, what kind of free nation is this?

Oh geez, I'm not actually going to burn the American flag. I have better things to do than to make political statements.

(By the way, I am no liberal. I am in the middle, only leaning slightly more to the conservative side.)

Also, in the Bible, when you pledge your allegiance to anything besides God, it is an idol. Don't try to change my beliefs. I have been where all of you are trying to put me, and now I know better.

A government's only job is to protect its citizens. I can give thanks to my government, write Mr. Bush a nice letter of gratitude, and mail flowers to the White House.

Thank you, America, for giving me a stable piece of land to live on!

That's all it takes.

And I don't need to stand up and pledge my undying allegiance to my country everyday for 13 years. I don't identify myself as an American. I am a Child of God. God would not be disapointed if I did not pledge my allegiance to a country he initially didn't intend to create.

I say we pledge our allegiance to the Truth. For those of you who are critical of me, this should be no hard change because, according to you, America is the Truth (or you wouldn't be pledging your allegiance to it).

The Tower of Babel:

The reason God did this was because his Children were being vain in that they thought they could build a tower to Heaven. God split up their language as a means of stopping their project. It was a punishment, in a sense.

"There is niether Jew nor Greek, man nor woman, slave nor free man; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)

By the way, I would feel extremely uncomfortable with kissing a Christian image such as a cross or a Bible. I believe that is a form of worship.

Wait, wait, wait...

I am non-denominational. I have been to a Catholic church, and a Jehovah's Witness kingdom hall (not because I wanted to. I am minor and go where my parents say).

I have done research. I am neither Catholic nor Jehovah's Witness. I am just a Child of God living for the Truth.

And yes, I am aware that the flag is just a symbol! I know! I know! I know! But to go through an action as to put your hand on your heart and recite the pledge everyday for 13 years is just a little odd.

I told you, I appreciate my country. I will seriously write Mr. Bush a letter of gratitude. But I am not going to do something that I believe is against my religion.

I was just wondering if this country would sink so low as to forcing me to pledge my allgiance to it.

Answer 1

Remember Jesus said, "Render unto Ceasar the things that are Ceasar's and to God the things that are God's". He did not tell them not to pay tribute to their government. You may not realize it but you give your allegiance to many people and groups beside God.
Do you not give your allegiance to your family? Do you not give your allegiance to your employer? Do you not give your allegiance to your church? None of these things are God. God wants you to do what is right and oppose evil. Some Countries are evil and some are not. God certainly expects his belivers to give their allegiance to the good countries and help oppose the evil ones.

Answer 2

You come across, at least to me, as a Jehovah's Witness wannabe. When we say the pledge, we're not WORSHIPING anything. I've never heard of anyone WORSHIPING the Red White and Blue, nor worshiping America. The FLAG is a SYMBOL of the greatest country on earth, the United States of America. Thus when one pledges allegiance to the FLAG, we are actually pledging allegiance to AMERICA. If you prefer not to promise (pledge) your allegiance (promising loyalty) to the United States of America, then don't expect this country or it's citizens to respect you or come to your aid. Get sick? Tough. Lose your job? Tough. Need the police? Tough Get the message?
There is no longer any requirement for any children to stand and say the pledge. There is no law against FLAG BURNING...but I'd be very careful where and when I burned a flag of America.
(USN, retired/proud Patriot Guard Rider/PROUD AMERICAN CITIZEN!)

Answer 3

in our country there is seperation between church and state (technically)
So as far as the idol they are not one in the same. The flag is a symbol of America, as the 10 commandments are a symbol of Christianity.
As far as refusing to pledge, that is your right. Hence, why it is no longer allowed in most public school systems to have the pledge led by the authority figures. Mostly, because of the "under God", but not entirely. Again, freedom of religion.
If you held a flag burning, that is still a hot topic. In most places it is just seriously looked down upon. In a few others they have tried to ban the act, but mostly unsuccessful.
So it is your right to turn your back on your country, but just because you have a right, doesn't mean you should use it!

Answer 4

The flag stands for freedom and the nation. We are not worshiping the flag, rather, we are being thankful that we live in sucha a great nation. You should pledge allegiance because you live in a country that allows you to believe in whatever you want, to express these beliefs. I mean, the pledge even mentions God for Christ's sake!

You do realize that according to the bible God himself spread and divided his people throughout the World and mixed up their language (recall the Tower of Babel)?

Answer 5

Under our system you have many rights including the right to object to the direction the country is moving.toward. And you can even take action to change the direction of the country, PROVIDING you do all such things in a legal manner.

Our flag is a symbol of our country, just as all other flags are symbols of other countries. Honoring your flag is honoring your country. Is that such a difficult thing to do?

When you consider all the benefits that your country provides for you, is it asking too much for you to offer something back?

Dreaming about a free world is a great idea, but first we have to remove all the power-happy individuals who are controlling their countries.

Make honest comparisons between your country and the others then decide how much you have and what price you have to pay for it. Then, ask yourself if what your country offers is enough to satisfy you.

Answer 6

Here's a hint: Schools today can justify pretty much anything they want to do to you administratively, whether it's right or not. The same with flag burning. The laws are not concrete. They can be bent or outright ignored.

Take Scott Peterson. He was convicted of murdering his wife and unborn child. He probably did do it. The fact remains, they had absolutely NO EVIDENCE. He should've been a free man, by the law. The jury however, ignored the law and put him away because they didn't like him. Juries don't like flag burners, either. Be ware the mob.

Answer 7

You should not limit your mindset to flag or religious worship. The powers at the top do not adhere to national or religious boundaries. In this fashion they are able to successfully further their agenda against the masses. By having no allegiance to country or religion they are free of mind to only worship "their" own.

Answer 8

well for one the flag isn't an idol, it's a symbol of America. so when you pledge allegiance to the flag your actually pledging to America, and if you don't want to pledge America, get out. the reason you should want to pledge is because America gives you the freedoms to practice what ever religion you want, with out fear of prosecution. and if you burn the American flag you should be sent to jail and i hope you burn in hell for it, hypothetically speaking...

Answer 9

I agree with everything you said. You are just as much of an American as everyone else, and freedom of religion is the right of every American.

Answer 10

I think it's silly to denounce all reason to a God. At least the flag I can see for myself, which is a symbol of freedom.