Guest Post by Jordan Henderson
A Facemask for the Christian Right – The Pledge of Allegiance
The pledge of allegiance is a similar ritual to Covid facemask wearing: it is a ritual of subservience to the state, and a ceremonial statement of belief and faith in the authorities. The pledge of allegiance is extremely common in the USA, especially in schools and at government and community meetings.
“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,”
The reality of people across the USA pledging their allegiance to the flag of the US federal government while wearing a Covid facemask was my initial inspiration for the painting above. I then remembered where I first learned the pledge of allegiance as a child…in church.[1]
It is not uncommon to see the flag of the U.S. federal government displayed in evangelical churches. Certain evangelical church youth programs regularly begin with all the children being led through the pledge of allegiance to the government’s flag.[2]
In light of this it is no surprise to me, that when the government ordered churches to close their doors in compliance with the government’s decrees, many churches failed to protest against the state; most complied.
Christians were persecuted in ancient times for refusing to participate in the Roman Empire’s rituals to their gods, yet today many Christians see no conflict of interest in offering up their allegiance in idolatrous rituals to the flag of the U.S. Empire.
Do Americans really mean to commit themselves to obeying future government orders? If their government asks them to do something that they believe is morally wrong, are they going to do it? Hopefully not. If Americans have sense enough to refuse to follow orders that they as individuals deem to be wrongful orders; then why are they voluntarily pledging allegiance to their government?
Someone might reply…
“You see, I am pledging allegiance to my country only to the extent that what they ask me to do is good; if they ask me to do something reprehensible I won’t.”
They will do as they are ordered unless they disagree? If they reserve the right to veto their government’s demands, especially if they acknowledge the moral imperative to do so when those demands are immoral, then they are not swearing allegiance at all.
That’s why the pledge of allegiance doesn’t end with the clause “Unless I disagree for ethical reasons.” That’s called an escape clause, and we might as well dispense with the Swearing Allegiance theater, if we add that kind of clause.
It is not only the mandate-welcoming/police-state-cheerleading/lockdown-loving/triple-masking/triple vaccinated/Left that has an addiction to virtue signaling through government subservience rituals. Here in the USA this problem is rampant on the Right, and the Christian Right too, as demonstrated by the prevalence of the pledge of allegiance.
In the Name of Science” is now a better pretext than “In the Name of God,” but Christians are still important apologists for the powerful
Alongside my earlier paintings commemorating The Triumph and Victory of Science I included this quote from C.S Lewis.
In every age the men who want us under their thumb, if they have any sense, will put forward the particular pretension which the hopes and fears of that age render most potent. They ‘cash in.’ It has been magic, it has been Christianity. Now it will certainly be science”
C.S. Lewis, 1958
Science has clearly superseded Christianity as the pretension of choice by which the powerful rationalize their rule. Yet ( Here is a list ).
However, just as science only supports the legitimacy of the state’s decrees if we allow the state to define what science is; Christianity only supports the legitimacy of the state if we allow the state’s junior accomplices and fellow promoters of earthly authority, the churches, to define what Christianity is.[3]
Christianity has been used to oppress, yet it has also been used to liberate. Corrupt politicians hide behind Jesus, yet Christian Anarchists who reject the legitimacy of state power have built on a foundation of Jesus’ core teachings.
Christianity played a historical role in undermining, and de-legitimizing, acts of humans exercising power over other humans; long before social justice warriors made Christianity into an all purpose scapegoat for social ills, popes issued Papal Bulls condemning slavery in no uncertain terms.
Christians spearheaded abolitionist movements – from Saint Bathilde, and Saint Anskar in medieval Europe to the Quakers in 19th century America.[4]
And Christians refused to allow themselves to be enslaved by the state through military conscription: they denied the state the right to do that.
Christians today could be responsible, they could delegitimize authoritarianism, and they could undermine power structures, if we could pry the Christians out from their hiding place underneath the thumb of the churches and the boot of the state.
Final Thoughts
It is a testament to the ability of churches to mislead their followers into subservience to human authorities, that the Bible itself in the book of Hebrews teaches that divine authority arises within each and every human being, yet the subservience teaching continues (emphasis mine);
This is the covenant which I will make with them
After those days, declares the Lord:
I will put My laws upon their hearts,
And write them on their mind,”
Hebrews 10:16 – NASB
“The Church sets itself up as the means by which divine authority is enacted in the world. If that divine authority was seen as arising from within each and every human being, the Church’s own role would be fatally undermined, along with the hierarchical structures of the wider social system of which it is part.”
Paul Cudenec, from his book ~ Forms of Freedom ~ Chapter 34
Constantine’s conversion did not mark the embrace by the Roman Empire of Jesus’ teaching, but the conversion of Christianity to the interests of the Empire.”
Christian Anarchism for Absolute Beginners an interview of Alexandre Christoyannopoulos conducted by Lars Schall
Eclipsed,, oil on canvas [click to enlarge]
Jordan Henderson lives in the Northwest of the United States. He works in oil paints, and charcoals. A portfolio of his works can be viewed at either of his websites: Original Paintings – Fine Art Prints
Footnotes:
[1] I learned the pledge of allegiance in church during a Christian youth program called Awana (more on that in note footnote 2), and later during Boy Scouts, and tons of other community programs. It’s all melting together now so I don’t remember if the adults ever recited the pledge of allegiance in the church I attended outside the context of the youth program or not. But here are some other people’s interesting, and to their credit, critical, accounts of the pledge of allegiance in church during regular services; see Here and message boards Here and Here.
[2] The Christian youth program I have in mind that regularly begins or began with the pledge of allegiance to the US flag followed by some other pledges, is called Awana. It’s been years since I was in that program as a child, so I called up Awana and asked them if they still begin their programs with the pledge of allegiance. The very polite customer service representative evidently sensed a loaded question and diplomatically skirted the question altogether.
As far as I can tell at least some churches still do begin their Awana youth programs with the pledge of allegiance, and I surmise that many do, because the Awana program guides that I was able to find for specific churches through a general internet search, mentioned beginning with the pledge of allegiance such as Here, and Here.
See the following link for another type of church youth program (Vacation Bible School) having the children recite multiple pledges including to the US flag.
[3] The Bible does not define Christianity per se, because Christians decide what writings go into the Bible – this is the Question of Canon – and Christians themselves define how authoritative the Bible is or is not, such as accepting or rejecting The Doctrine of Inerrancy – and Christians decide which teachings to follow, which to ignore, and how to interpret them.
For example; the practice of stoning to death people who have committed the grave sin of collecting firewood on the Sabbath is Biblical, but I’ve never heard anyone advocate reviving it! (see Numbers 15:32-36)
[4] Regarding Queen Bathilde and Saint Anskar – my reference is Rodney Stark’s book – For the Glory of God: How monotheism led to reformations, science, witch-hunts and the end of slavery – Chapter 4, subheading, Saints and Popes, page 329 – ISBN 0-691- 11436-6
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I do not recite the pledge to the flag. The flag is a symbol of the incarnation of the government. When in a situation calling for this recital, I recite my similar pledge to the Constitution, the Constitution being a collection of ideals-based rules for the government to obey. My pledge does not contain the words “under god” or “indivisible”, and does contain the words “to the republic for which it once stood”. Doing so I am encouraging the enforcement of the highest law of the land, with which I still agree.
No one has ever questioned or chellenged me on this afterwards.
“When in a situation calling for this recital, I recite my similar pledge to the Constitution, the Constitution being a collection of ideals-based rules for the government to obey. My pledge does not contain the words “under god” or “indivisible”, and does contain the words “to the republic for which it once stood”.”
So, what IS your pledge? Word for word.
I always said from 1st grade on ” they pledge ” at the beginning. I paid attention to my grandmother’s stories about how her family was abused by yankees occupying Saline County, Ar and stealing their food after they cooked it. It finally got so bad they took a wagon to SW Arkansas with gr grandma dying on the way and being buried along the trail.
Dammum! You mean there are two of us?
1) I was very disappointed in the church’s response. Terrible.
2) keeping Christianity from stepping up to the plate will kill Christianity.
3) if you can’t even answer a simple question, what exactly do you stand for? Probably not much.
“The very polite customer service representative evidently sensed a loaded question and diplomatically skirted the question altogether.”
No, it won’t kill Christianity, it will however, purge it.
There should always be an ongoing purge.
False teachers have always been a problem, Jesus Himself warned of the wolves in sheep’s clothing “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15
The Book of Jude is almost strictly about it. They will be judged accordingly.
The Holy Spirit allows the believer to discern what is true. It is an individual thing, not some blanket proclamation that all of Christianity are being suckered in by someone.
”For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”
1 Peter 4:17
Upvote.
A little biblical research will explain this in detail. Look up “the falling away”.
Caution: This type of research can induce panic for some select individuals.
And for true believers .. it will instill tremendous confidence/faith and excitement.
Agreed, even a life changing experience, mixed in with some comfort in these times that will try men’s souls.
Not much difference than people taking shit shots to keep their jobs.
I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the Great Reset
and for the Oligarchy for which it stands:
one Corporatocracy under Central Control , incorrigible,
with servitude and complacency for all.
I pledge allegiance to all the fags in the United States of America
and to all the Woke
who alone will be left standing
where there is no Nation, and no God
where our Enemies will be made invisible
with diversity, inclusion, and equity for all (who think like us).
New York Times chooses the holiest week of the year to attack God
“The God-shaped hole” posits that humans are hardwired to seek meaning through a divinity. Certainly, no culture has ever been without a God — and that’s true for Marxist cultures, which have sought to make a god of man, always with deadly results.
The most recent example of this comes from a guest essay at the New York Times from a very angry lapsed Orthodox Jew who insists that the world would be better if it “passed over” God. It’s a sad, foolish essay, but one that the Times thought worth running on the holiest week in America.
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2022/04/new_york_times_chooses_the_holiest_week_of_the_year_to_attack_god.html
They will do as they are ordered unless they disagree? If they reserve the right to veto their government’s demands, especially if they acknowledge the moral imperative to do so when those demands are immoral, then they are not swearing allegiance at all.
That’s why the pledge of allegiance doesn’t end with the clause “Unless I disagree for ethical reasons.” That’s called an escape clause, and we might as well dispense with the Swearing Allegiance theater, if we add that kind of clause.
That’s not true, is it?
The escape clause is written in the text of the pledge-
“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 order for the pledge to retain integrity there exists an implied contract- that the United States of America is a Republic- with the flag itself a symbol of that political state- that it is one nation under God– and that liberty and justice must exist for all.
If any of those conditions are not met, then one has no obligation to honor their pledge.
Clearly we are no longer a nation under God, there certainly isn’t anything even remotely approaching liberty or justice equitably, and unless I slept through the last half century the concept of America as a Republic has faded into the sunset of we are a Democracy, something not even mentioned in the pledge.
Astute
I always thought that the pledge of allegiance was some sort of cultish ritual of worshipping an inanimate object. It has struck me as un-Christian, but I thought that I just don´t fully understand its significance, not being born here an all. We had to recite it for the Naturalization ceremony, but I just pretended to and have never recited it. I do sing the National Anthem with pride and ferver though.
A nation cannot survive unless there are people who are willing to defend it. In order to defend something with your life, there has to be a reason. The pledge articulates that reason and by reciting it you ritualize that belief in the Nation- which should be, in rational circles, a kind of extended family.
Empires are the end result of a nation gone to seed. It keeps the rituals around to serve its own interests while denying the people the benefits they were willing to risk their lives and their children’s lives defending.
I have said the pledge plenty of times, all the while believing in and accepting the premise within. Once it became clear that the contract was null and void- due in no part to my actions, but to those of the administrators and bureaucrats that took over the levers of power- I was no longer under any obligation to honor it.
YMMV
“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear.”
– Marcus Tullius Cicero
The word “pledge” is a verb. By reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, you are binding yourself to the nation that the flag represents. It is an oath to defend it. The government has been overthrown by an unlawful internal insurrection by those who have violated the supreme law of the land – the Constitution. Did you do anything to stop it? (Voting doesn’t count – ask Trump). If we don’t restore true constitutional government our children and our children’s children will live under eternal tyranny.
The Pledge of Allegiance is simply a statement of faith in an arrangement of men.
Like the Lords Prayer, Kaddish, or Namaz, it audibly identifies you with a side and your willingness to be seen or heard to do so.
Interpret it how you want, just don’t expect others to share your interpretation.
Expecting others to do a deep parsing of the words and meaning is expecting too much of our fellow citizens.
Right now two similar peoples are shooting at each other based on the color of tape on their arms.
Pick a side, and understand you don’t get a long discussion to explain your choice.
This isn’t the height of Empire.
The problem with most churches is they are 501(c)(3) with the IRS. They took the Leviathan’s shilling and must say what the Leviathan wants them to say. This was LBJ’s doing when he was Senate Majority Leader way back when. The churches do not want to pay taxes. Most congregations got on board. Add to that, the amount of clueless, unbiblical “Pastors” who take Romans 13 literally and are Leviathan lickspittles worshipping at the altars of Baal. The only real exception which I am aware of is Pastor Chuck Baldwin out of Kalispell, MT.
As frustrating and unpleasant as our current situation is, time is running out for all the sheeple, normies, cucks, and the Leviathan’s remoras, Orcs and Orcettes. The increasing death toll from the jabs, a debt buck collapse, double-digit inflation, and out-of-control crime in the Blue Hives are lumps under the carpet which cannot be hidden. Keep prepping, be of good cheer, be vigilant, and plan accordingly. Bleib ubrig.
Well, the Catholic churches followed the orders of a fake Pope, a true wolf in sheeps clothing, when they were dictated to follow the CDC, et. al, with lockdowns, mask mandates, etc.
As for Liberty and Justice For All,
stream the movie, starring Al Pacino as a public defender, frustrated with the system’s flaws.
John Forsyth plays a corrupt judge who doesn’t give a damn about perps, regardless of innocence.
It’s a heartbreaking eye opener, and the climactic final scene is linked below.
It’s right up there with Three Days of the Condor, and others that have exposed the
hypocrisy and double standards of the system we live under.
Cue up Carlin’s: It’s a big club, and we ain’t in it.
And excellent final scene I’d forgotten. Didn’t appreciate it as much until just now.
The problem is not the flag – or the Pledge of Allegiance … it is that we have an illegitimate government. We have no one to blame but ourselves (and our parents and their parents) for allowing it.