Sunday, September 21, 2008
Sunday Reflection: Oaths and Christ
I'm a very imperfect man and a deeply flawed Christian, but there are times I am willing to risk ridicule and humiliation for my faith. One of those is when everyone rises to place their hand over their heart and say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jesus' teaching on swearing allegiance to a nation (or a church) was very clear. In Matthew 5:34-37, he tells us:
"But I say to you, do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be 'Yes, yes,' or 'No, no'; anything more than this comes from the evil one."
The context of this passage makes it clear that Jesus was talking about oaths to God, church, or state, and not swear words or something like that. I take this instruction seriously, and while I will say "yes, yes!" to the idea that this country is great, wonderful, and privileged, I do not swear allegiance to it. This is consistent with my moral viewpoint, which places God before country, and acknowledges that sometimes my faith will conflict with what my country may desire or require.
Much as I love my church, I don't swear an oath to it, either.
This stubbornness on my part has led to some awkward moments. It's not uncommon for people to glare at me, or even make comments, when I don't say the pledge. Once in a while, they will comment that I have been "rude" or disrespectful. When I became an Assistant US Attorney, the US Attorney called me in to his office to swear me in; I told him I couldn't do that for religious reasons. He let it go, which was kind. We just kind of shook hands and I signed some paperwork. I realize, too, that I would probably not be elected dogcatcher unless I was willing to say the Pledge.
Jesus requests much greater hardship than this, of course, and sometimes I have not been willing to bear those hardships. I will continue that struggle. However, I do believe that Christianity is not a faith which is meant to make life easy, or comfortable, or eliminate friction between the believer and the state.
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I can see your point about not wanting to pledge your allegiance.
I am glad for your sake that you live here in the US where you will not be beheaded or worse for refusing to do it.
I am glad for your sake that you live here in the US where you will not be beheaded or worse for refusing to do it.
Tyd-- No kidding! This is the only country I would want to live in, and I've been to some others.
Jesse-- Ha! Actually I would be ok with a lapel pin. Plus, I'm pretty sure that the terrorist take a LOT of oaths...
Jesse-- Ha! Actually I would be ok with a lapel pin. Plus, I'm pretty sure that the terrorist take a LOT of oaths...
You didn't mention the word "creed" but I assume that's what you mean when talking about swearing allegiance to a church. I'm uncomfortable with it too (and I also refuse to say the Pledge, for much the same reasons.)
But with the creed idea: the "credo" has been part of the Mass for centuries, ever since the Mass started (and I don't know when that was, but I imagine like 1000 years ago.) The creed is a statement of belief, not exactly allegiance, although when said in public, standing, even facing the altar, it has much the same effect. But it would seem the notion of the creed would have come about not that long after the Gospel was written . . . .
Anyway, just musing . . . and find it interesting that Jesus spoke so clearly about not swearing oaths yet it's been a prominent part of worship almost as long as there has been Christian worship . . . don't know how that came about.
But with the creed idea: the "credo" has been part of the Mass for centuries, ever since the Mass started (and I don't know when that was, but I imagine like 1000 years ago.) The creed is a statement of belief, not exactly allegiance, although when said in public, standing, even facing the altar, it has much the same effect. But it would seem the notion of the creed would have come about not that long after the Gospel was written . . . .
Anyway, just musing . . . and find it interesting that Jesus spoke so clearly about not swearing oaths yet it's been a prominent part of worship almost as long as there has been Christian worship . . . don't know how that came about.
# posted by 
: 10:46 PM
: 10:46 PM
I respect your decision as I feel the same way. I stand in respect, but no hand over the heart.
Hats off for the National Anthem, but no hand over the heart. Just a respectful stance.
This is a shared belief in our household.
Hats off for the National Anthem, but no hand over the heart. Just a respectful stance.
This is a shared belief in our household.
Did you know the author of The Pledge of Allegiance was from Tampa. They named a new (empty)condo tower after him.
Anyway, the original text of 'The Pledge' did not include 'under God'. It simply stated: One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Anyway, the original text of 'The Pledge' did not include 'under God'. It simply stated: One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The Pledge was also written by a socialist, Francis Bellamy. This makes it deliciously ironic since Joe McCarthy was the one who led the charge to have the words "under God" inserted in the pledge to differentiate us from the godless, socialist heathens.
I refused to say it in high school, though for probably different reasons since I feel no religious compulsion: I do not take oaths to those that work for me. In a democratic society, the government serves me. No flag and no republic command my allegiance, and nor do I expect an oath to uphold the Constitution and laws from public servants. Those that don't take it seriously would make such oath a mockery, and those that would take such an oath seriously don't need it to act moral.
I refused to say it in high school, though for probably different reasons since I feel no religious compulsion: I do not take oaths to those that work for me. In a democratic society, the government serves me. No flag and no republic command my allegiance, and nor do I expect an oath to uphold the Constitution and laws from public servants. Those that don't take it seriously would make such oath a mockery, and those that would take such an oath seriously don't need it to act moral.
I talked to Bill about this last night at dinner and he gets it too. Bill's parents are very religious and they really do also "walk the walk." They never let Bill go Trick or Treating, They purposely never had a Christmas tree, and there are a few other things like that they do that I cannot remember.
We did wonder though about one thing... what if you have to one day testify in a trial or go under oath... do they make you do it? And if you are an attorney do they give you crap? That would be hard.
Also we both agreed that you look better WITH your head attached.
Hey get this.... I found in a box yesterday an old HS yearbook that had your senior year. You look really really really young, But kinda the same. But I mean, you look like, younger than the other young people there.
We did wonder though about one thing... what if you have to one day testify in a trial or go under oath... do they make you do it? And if you are an attorney do they give you crap? That would be hard.
Also we both agreed that you look better WITH your head attached.
Hey get this.... I found in a box yesterday an old HS yearbook that had your senior year. You look really really really young, But kinda the same. But I mean, you look like, younger than the other young people there.
Lane - thanks for the Bellamy name it had escaped me and the St. Pete Times gave us the full history of the change a few years ago. I don't agree with the alteration of someones work and I definitely disagree with McCarthy. I guess it would have been considered PC back in the day or you would be blacklisted. Not so different than current occupant's mantra ~ you are either with us or with the terrorists. I prefer to be one who doesn't always march in lock step with everyone else.
I'm not sure what I would do about taking an oath. If required (in court), I wouldn't make a stink about it. I might request 3 books in fairness to the major religions (I am not religious). I find oaths to be formalities (tradition) that don't give insight to the person's moral character. Anyone can repeat words and not contemplate the meaning of those words.
Twd - I found a HS yearbook 2 weeks ago that has Prof's Jr year photo and I think there was a photo of someone referred to as Stovepipe with a bag over his head.
I'm not sure what I would do about taking an oath. If required (in court), I wouldn't make a stink about it. I might request 3 books in fairness to the major religions (I am not religious). I find oaths to be formalities (tradition) that don't give insight to the person's moral character. Anyone can repeat words and not contemplate the meaning of those words.
Twd - I found a HS yearbook 2 weeks ago that has Prof's Jr year photo and I think there was a photo of someone referred to as Stovepipe with a bag over his head.
Prof. Osler,
Are you familiar with Derek Webb and his song A King and a Kingdom?
If not, you should check it out on iTunes...or at least google the lyrics.
You two seem to have similar views...and not just in this area.
Are you familiar with Derek Webb and his song A King and a Kingdom?
If not, you should check it out on iTunes...or at least google the lyrics.
You two seem to have similar views...and not just in this area.
FYI, in Judaism, one sings a prayer, the Kol Nidre, on the New Year. It's like an oath, annulling, in advance, any oaths a Jew might make during the course of the coming year. Not retroactively, as one might if looking for penance. But forward-looking, because Jews would be expected, in the course of their dealings with non-Jews and others, to make vows that were, according to Jewish law, binding to G-d if not fulfilled. And the consequence of not fulfilling a vow to G-d are so great, according to Jewish law, that this prayer was necessary. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVpSoNvyFvA&feature=related (or the Perry Como version! at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cduz4RApBfU&feature=related). The text is at http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Kol_Nidrei.jpg/350px-Kol_Nidrei.jpg
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# posted by : 5:26 PM
: 5:26 PM << Home
