Aug 03 2008
The Pledge of Alligence – Under God and “In God We Trust”
There is a lot of heated conversations going on right now about people refusing to stand, cover their hearts and say the Pledge of Alligence to our flag. I read a lot of fiery emails about how people who refuse to comply should leave. I think this is nonsense.
I remember when the two words, “under God”, was added to our Pledge. I was a young man then and even then it troubled me. I’d always been taught that there was and should be a separation of church and state. These two words violated that intent. My own reaction was simple, when saying the Pledge of Alligence I simply omit the two words. I still love my country, I still make my pledge and I still live by my own personal conviction that those two words are not necessary and are divisive.
But refusing to stand and say the pledge is offensive. It is a matter of respect. Respect for the nation that has given us all great freedoms and respect for our fellow citizens who take the pledge seriously. Shame on those who refuse to show respect.
Now I don’t think the mention of a diety is wrong in all things. For example I believe that the words “In God We Trust” belong on our currency. Why? Because every since we came off the gold standard nothing has been backing our currency but hot air, lies and deception. It is a fiat currency based totally on faith. And it is this faith that has wrought the hovac throughout our financial system today. They dropped gold and silver for oil. Our monetary system has for decades been based on the “petro dollar”. As long as oil was sold and traded on the dollar standard our currency remained strong and sound. But today the world is moving to the “petro Euro”. And now everyone is seeing the consequences on the speculative nature or our monetary foundation.
So yes, “In God We Trust” applies. Unfortunately faith will buy you little when the markets fail. But a handfull of gold and silver will still get you what you need anywhere in the world.
It knocks me sideways the amount of ignorance and pig-headedness our fellow citizens display…what are we going to do Frog?
I agree that standing is important as way of respecting other’s beliefs. However, some people might feel, that pledging allegiance to a piece of cloth is idolatry. You may remember that Moses was furious with his people after he came down from the mountain and found them worshiping a golden calf. By worshiping the symbol, they were denigrating the real God. By pledging allegiance to a symbol, we are trivializing the real values. What is important is freedom; the flag is just a shorthand way of expressing it. The flag in itself is unimportant. We don’t want to confuse the symbol with what it represents.
Thanks for dropping bye Pat, and I appreciate your perspective.
I agree that the flag is just a symbol. But I have to make one thing clear. Anyone who has faced the enemy on the battlefield and seen their tattered flag waving after a lethal engagement understands the almost mystical power our flag represents. It is not the flag, but the blood and sacrifice it stands for that commands honor.
But, back to the point, I don’t think the mention of a diety in our pledge is necessary. I believe that organized superstition has no place in our government or schools. I am glad we have a secular society. It is the theocratic governments of the world that cause the greatest harm to mankind.
Religion is a personal issue. It is best kept around the dinner table, in the home and at religious services. If a person lives by their religious principles then we all benefit. But if they try to impose their beliefs on those around them . . . well then they just become a pain in the ass.