This is virtually the only thing I agree with Jehovah's Witnesses on....
2007-05-02 05:31:51 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe so, The first line: "I pledge allegiance to the flag" really says it all. Children are taught to recite this before they understand its meaning. Pledging your allegiance to an inanimate object is, by definition, an act of idolatry.
2007-05-02 05:36:45 · answer #1 · answered by leedogg1981 3 · 3⤊ 5⤋
I beg to differ with Pagan Rebirth. Up until recently, flag worship was all the rage in America. It seems to have died down a bit over the past six months or so, but you can be sure there are still plenty of flag-worshippers out there.
Pledging allegiance to a flag, while ridiculous, is not idolatrous unless that pledge offers primary allegiance to that flag to the exclusion or relegation of deity.
Edit:
The founding fathers of the US did NOT include the phrase, "under G-d." That was added by McCarthyists in the '50s as a nose-thumbing to the Soviets. The pledge to the American flag wasn't written at all until long after all of the founding fathers were dead.
2007-05-02 12:39:27 · answer #2 · answered by Alowishus B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The words "under God" were added in 1954. Before that, we managed to remember that there is a need for the separation of church and state. After that, we began to have so many social problems that it seems we may never fully recover. Another related point is about the phrase "In God We Trust" on our money. Doesn't this mean we are condoning the worship of money? If I was a Christian, I would have a serious grievance with both of these issues. Thankfully, I'm an atheist, so I just say the Pledge as it was originally written. That, and I cover those annoying words on my money.
2007-05-02 12:40:39 · answer #3 · answered by seattlefan74 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes/No. If someone pledges there allegiance to an Item, they are serving that item. If someone is pledging there allegiance to a country, then they are putting that country before God as well.
2007-05-02 20:39:19 · answer #4 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, of course a ceremonial "pledge of allegiance" connotes idolatry.
Around the globe, Jehovah's Witnesses respect the governments and flags under which they live. However, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the flag salute is an act of worship, and a "pledge of allegiance" can only made to God. Witnesses practice strict neutrality.
Jehovah's Witnesses understand the bible to teach that Almighty God requires exclusive devotion; that is, he requires that worship and unrestricted allegiance belong to Him alone.
(Exodus 20:5) I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion
(Matthew 4:10) Then Jesus said... ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’
Of course, Jehovah's Witnesses are well-known as law-abiding persons. The Scriptures also teach that obedience is owed to secular governments, which the bible calls "the superior authorities". Of course, such subjection is RELATIVE to the unrestricted allegiance which is owed to God.
(Romans 13:1) Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God
(Acts 5:29) We must obey God as ruler rather than men
It may be helpful for non-Witnesses to read all of Daniel chapter 3, and note the connections between the ceremony described there and modern pledge of allegiance.
http://www.watchtower.org/bible/da/chapter_003.htm
Learn more:
http://www.jw-media.org/edu_videos/vcfi_e.htm
http://www.jw-media.org/edu_videos/vcut_e.htm
http://www.jw-media.org/vnr/5263723221/22812301.htm
2007-05-02 14:45:13 · answer #5 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yea, me to. In reading the pledge is sounds like worship.
Complete with music. Like church music.
I just refuse to do it. Some are looking for a emplanted chip or something to show the mark of the wild beast.
But to me that is to much like worship. Governments are always referred to as wild beasts.
I am a loyal American but also a Christian and my allegiance goes to God. I think I can be both. Without some pledge.
2007-05-02 12:37:42 · answer #6 · answered by Vanessa 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
no it is a pledge of allegiance to our country. ALLEGIANCE is not a form of worshiping. It is saying- UNDER GOD- I pledge my support to this country.
Although Under God was added later- it still shows you the significance of realizing that it is only a pledge of allegiance not a pledge of worshiping a false entity. Under God is giving God the glory over the country. In America I have the right to say Under God and you have the right to keep your mouth shut during that part of the pledge. I feel that it gives God glory over America. If you don't just don't say it. Say under (Buddha, the cow, whatever).
I do know the history of the pledge. I just prefer its use with Under God.
2007-05-02 12:40:05 · answer #7 · answered by momof2 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No, its not idolaty. Idolaty is when we worship an object or an idea above God. To some it may be but as long as God is the first priority in your life then claming allegiance to a country is not idolaty.
Keep in mind our founding fathers built this country with a christian theology, placing "one nation, under god" within the pledge to remind us where our loalty's should lye.
2007-05-02 12:37:45 · answer #8 · answered by honest guy 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I am afraid you don't understand the concept being demonstrated by pledging allegiance to something...
2007-05-02 12:34:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
No, its an act of honor to this country and to those who have given their lives or are now giving them so we are free to respond in any way we want on Yahoo Answers.
The Skeptical Christian
Grace and Peace
Peg
2007-05-02 12:36:02 · answer #10 · answered by Dust in the Wind 7 · 6⤊ 3⤋