TO MY FELLOW CHRISTIANS: THE FLAG IS AN IDOL!

Flag Or The Cross? ^

[LalahLand]

I am curious to find out why some of my fellow Christians still recite the pledge of allegiance. When you "pledge your allegiance" to an inanimate object you are basically worshipping that object. Am I missing something here? Why do some of us choose to salute and break one of the most important commandments? Shouldn't our pledge of allegiance be to God, and not a piece of cloth? The pledge of allegiance to the flag basically states that we will (blindly) support the flag and the actions of our government without question. That is the very essence of what idolatry is all about! Please check out the attached article.

idol SYLLABICATION: i·dol PRONUNCIATION: AUDIO: dl KEY NOUN: 1a. An image used as an object of worship. b. A false god. 2. One that is adored, often blindly or excessively.

idolatry SYLLABICATION: i·dol·a·try PRONUNCIATION: AUDIO: -dl-tr KEY NOUN: Inflected forms: pl. i·dol·a·tries 1. Worship of idols. 2. Blind or excessive devotion to something.

[oceanperch]

Just from your title the first thought that came into my head was Texe Marrs.

[farmfriend]

Picture: Comwatch

[mhking]

a cult that was part Jehovah Witness and part Unitarian.

OK, now that's downright scary...

[jeremiah]

See the bible for reports of banners and flags used by ancient Israelis for to symbolize tribes and unity of purpose.

[bethelgrad]

what are you a Jehoveh's Witness? Come on dude. Pick your battles better.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

[LalahLand]

1: I did not post this under Breaking News, or News. Apparently the Mods changed it or something.

2: I came here for intelligent discourse with fellow Christians, and judging by the hateful remarks here, either you guys are frauds, or not Christians.

3: Does anyone have anything intelligent to add to this discussion? Is this the type of place where if the masses doesn't agree with your post you're shunned, ignored, deleted?

[perfect stranger]

Thank you Senator for posting a picture of the only other character I had any respect for on that show. He was great.

IIRC he told people that he was in the CIC so people would think he's in the CIA. LOL

[Paul Atreides]

Does anyone have anything intelligent to add to this discussion?

Whaddya think about the Dixie Chicks?

[bcoffey]

"I came here for intelligent discourse with fellow Christians"

You reap what you sow.

[sweetliberty]

That's great! LOL!

[Brett66]

[mrsalty]

Hey dude, Im new here too, but I can see you need some teachings.The flag is not an idol, Dont know what kind of church you heard that in, but I sure dont want to visit it.

[OHelix]

Well... I don't think it's fair to just label LalahLand an idiot. I don't think I agree that it's idolatry to pledge alegiance to the flag, but I can see how someone could believe that. I scimmed the article, and I can agree with the notion of you can't promise allegiance to God and to something else without potentially limiting your allegience to God. Paul even went so far as to make that same point regarding marriage. Marriage is permitted, but he makes the case that your heart will be divided, and you will serve the desires of your spouse more than the desires of God... And even goes so far as to say he thinks it is better to remain unmarried for that reason.

That said, a few years ago I did decided I could not in good concience pledge allegiance to the flag. And I usually don't bring it up because I know many, if not most, Americans would take offense, and not understand why. When I'm in a place where it is being said, I will usually stand with the others and put my hand over my heart but not say the words. Not to be deceptive, but simply not to draw attention to it, as I realize most would not understand why. My decision was based on the commandment not to take oaths. I may not understand the commandment properly, but my understanding of that commandment is the basis for that decision. I do not have to take an oath of allegiance to be faithfull to my country. I made a similar decision involving swearing on the Bible in court. I will not do that. Not taking an oath does not prevent me from giving truthfull testimony any more than not pledging allegiance to the flag makes me unable be faithfull to my country.

So for me it comes down to obeying the cherished traditions of my country, or obeying God's word. And I must obey God's word even if everyone I love dissaproves. There are many who refuse to take such a pledge because they've been poisoned against America, and I am not in that group. And I would be offended to be associated with them.

I've thought a great deal about this in the past, and come to the conclusion that I could never hold office because of the requirement of taking an oath. I would be very willing to serve in the Armed Services, but I do not know if they would allow it without an oath. I'm old enough now it's probably a moot point, but if things go badly I may be called and have to deal with it. I know the courts have made some provisions for others who hold that view, it may be that the Armed Services have too. But it's something I avoid because I know people will be acusatory.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Well c'mon, you do realize that the only possible appropriate place for your post would be in the religious section?

[nicmarlo]

LOL! : )

[LalahLand]

Furthermore, did you guys actually take the time to read the link I posted? Or are you afraid that it will confirm that you've been breaking more than one of the ten commandments (obviously you've already broken the "Love They Neighbor" one).

[Hank Kerchief]

Ah, finally... someone figured out the point of my post.

(I was getting worried.)

Do not worry. Most people have no interest in the truth. Even those that fashion themselves "conservatives," really only want to get away with not having to think, without having to be responsible for their own choices and actions. Preconceived "canned" opinions and responses are always less demanding than actually thinking for one's self.

This is a wonderful thread, because it so wonderfully illustrates what is wrong with this country. No one thinks for even five seconds about anything. When they have lost everything this wonderful country has provided them, it will be you and I they blame, not their ignorant worshipping of government and that creeping totalitarian superstition that the government and what America stands for are the same thing.

Hank

[Diddle E. Squat]

[William McKinley]

No, Paul said that to the Corinthians, not to all men. He was addressing a specific set of conditions, giving them guidance for how to navigate out of the moral hole they had descended into.