Overreactions In Either Direction Are Still Both Wrong (or) My Earthly Allegiance Doesn't Need To Be Reaffirmed Daily

So, I'm pretty sure trolling for stories I can respond to and link my post in the comments might be a bit confrontational and sensationalist, but whatever.  This one is (technically) harmless.  Or at least what I'll comment on.

No, I don't think the teachers should be allowed to manhandle students.  No, I do believe that everyone should stand for the pledge, the anthem, et cetera.  No, I do not believe you are required to participate/recite/sing the pledge, et al.  No, I don't think opting out of participation (even to the point of kneeling) is un-American, though in context it may be disrespectful.  But that is what I don't think, how about what I do think.

I think that my own children do not have to recite the pledge.  It is an oath, to be sure, and as a Christian, taking an oath is an occasional sticky wicket.  Even more so since the wording has the speaker's loyalty tied to a symbol.  Not the people, not the foundational legal documents, not the governmental leadership.  No.  An image.

Kinda like when the Romans would go around and have people give a small prayer and offering to an icon of the emperor.  Christians knew this wasn't an issue of loyalty to the empire (which they were fine with, by the way) but a conflict of faith.

So, yes, I stand for the national anthem, and I'll stand for the pledge, but I don't recite it anymore.  As a Christian, especially as one who is going to be a pastor, my allegiance is to God first, then other entities, such as the nation.  Is that disrespectful?  And to whom?

People talk about how the men who died for that flag.  Its just a striped canvas.  A symbol of identification.  Does it represent anything worth honoring?

Of course it does.  And I am proud and grateful for being a member of a nation where I can freely learn and express.

But if someone says that it is not appropriate of them to give an oath because their loyalty is to God alone, calling them unpatriotic and saying they don't love their country is ignorant.  Context matters.  Now, does that mean it is appropriate for a middle schooler to refuse to recite?

(pardon me while I shrug my shoulders in indifference)

Its not right, its not wrong.  As for not standing or back-talking to teachers... that is inappropriate, though the latter more than the former.  Not standing for the pledge is like not taking off your hat and sunglasses when indoors.  It is about respect and reverence.  Something both sides of this juxtaposition have forgotten.

I think the United States is the greatest nation on earth, but I have every intention of removing the US flag from the front of the sanctuary at whichever church I serve at.  Why?  Because the state does not control the Church, nor do we, the Church, owe allegiance to the state where it does not deserve it.

We would do good to remember that while unchecked individualism leads to anarchy (often through socialism first), unchecked patriotism leads to nationalism.  Both are bad.  But this situation is about unchecked nationalism, to the point of it being a religion.

Hence why I feel able and compelled to write about it without any fear of being called out.  Even if someone does respond with something like "love our country or leave it," or that philosophy is the exact opposite of American philosophy," I won't take it personally.

In the first example, because nothing I have said means I do not love the country I live in.  I wouldn't be such a student of history if I did not love it at some level.

As for the second, it is true, the philosophy I subscribe to is opposite the American worldview.  And every other one, for that matter.  Like Peter said "we must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29)  When the choice is between my loyalty to my country and loyalty to my God, and I cannot choose both, I will choose God.

Now, this is not a defense of anyone else's actions, including those of a player of professional "hand-egg."  Rather, this is an explanation of my take on the issue, writ large.  We have people running around calling each other out for being either un-American or being fascist.  To be honest, both sides are un-American and fascist.  We've always taught Americans work together, but not as a collective being lead by a dictator, but as a community of peers.  We are not dependent on the central government, but are independent yet united.  We call out that which is wrong, cruel, and unjust, especially if it parades as patriotic.

To be certain, the situation with the student not standing is frustrating to me, but not in the way most would realize.  What was missed was a teachable moment.  The teacher should have taken the time to call attention to the issue: people doing something simply because they are told to (both sides, here).  Explain why the pledge is spoken, and why so many feel so passionate about the symbol that the flag is.  Explain why people use this time as a peaceable protest, and when this is and is not an appropriate action.  Explain how one can be respectful to the authorities placed above them (something else God has told us to do) while still maintaining their integrity and values when compelled to do something that goes against their beliefs.

I've had a similar scenario recently.  My wife, our two boys, and my in-laws, went to Arlington National Cemetery.  Our oldest is autistic, so I was ready to react so as not to disturb anyone.  Now, to be fair, he did admirably.  Better than many of the adults I saw there.  And much better than the high schoolers.

But at the tomb he did get too restless and was becoming vocal.  Thankfully it was near the changing of the guard.  So he and I walked down the path toward the Maine's mast and I explained to him what was going on.  We watched from a distance, and he did shout a couple times, but without the usual vigor.

If we had stayed there, and he had shouted, the guard would have called for silence (he duty to do so) and everyone would have stupidly stared at us to shame us for bringing our son to learn about our history and his grandfather's time in the army.

In that situation, who is the one acting inappropriately: the one who, due to unfortunate and uncontrollable circumstance cannot filter themselves; or those who out of ignorance and self-righteousness look down upon someone who is incapable of conforming to their standards for whatever reason?

If you think it is the boy who stood, respectfully, silently, for the committal of his veteran great-grandfather (including the salute), then I have some unfortunate news for you.

It is all in how we teach the next generation.  And as a Christian from a tradition that has a deep understanding of the Two Kingdoms, patriotism isn't a problem, but neither is conscientious objection.  If it was, then neither choice Alvin York struggled with would have been correct.

If you haven't familiarized yourself with that story, please do, its good.  The movie's not bad either.  After completing training, York was struggling with going to war.  As a Christian, killing is wrong.  As a soldier, killing is your duty.  He could not find the middle ground, until he read Matthew 22, verse 21.  "Give to caesar what is caesar's, and to God what is God's."

You can have it both ways.

So, if you see me at a baseball game, I'll have my hat off, and I may even try my hand at the lyrics (if I'm feeling extra musically inclined).  If I'm in a situation with the pledge of allegiance, I'll stand, respectfully.  If you see me on the 4th of July, I'll likely be in red, white, and blue.

(I really should do that case study on Vocation using Alvin York as the example.)