Wow! I’m still a bit stunned by the news article Guy pointed me to yesterday. A judge in Mississippi put a lawyer in jail because the lawyer wouldn’t say the Pledge of Allegiance.
I don’t know all of the back story. This wasn’t the first time that this judge and the attorney in question had a run-in over saying the Pledge. The lawyer has also worked with the ALCU in the past, representing clients who were against prayers in school and the teaching of Bible classes in public schools.
What happened the other day was something like this. The judge ordered everyone to stand for the saying of the Pledge. After the Pledge had been recited, the judge asked this attorney to say the Pledge by himself, having noticed that the man had remained silent during the Pledge. The attorney refused and was sent to jail for contempt of court. The order stated that the attorney was to be held until he said the Pledge, but the judge released him 4 hours later.
I’m hoping that this judge gets a serious reprimand. Such actions are truly scary. Some people have predicted that persecution of Christians will be common in the U.S. in this century. When I read things like this, I believe it.
You might like to read:
I Pledge Allegiance
What Are We Pledging?
What Are We Pledging? 2
Should Christians Around The World Pledge Allegiance?
Answering Some Pledge Questions
Moreover, allegiance that is mandatory — under threat of incarceration — isn’t allegiance. It’s just obedience or acquiescence. Compulsory recitation of sacred words as feigned devotion to the god of the land. Hideous.
Some people, including the ACLU, are describing the case against Westboro Baptist as persecution of Christian free speech.
and this is a pretty good piece, entitled “A Tale of Two Blasphemies,” also dealing with current events around the intersection of free speech and Christianity.
Jimmy, I have to agree.
Nick, I read that article when you posted it elsewhere. Definitely something to think about.
My youngest daughter just completed an outdoor painting seminar sponsored by the Loveland Art Museum. It is the last thing she will do under their auspices. They are no longer a safe place. Many elementary schools take field trips there. My children will be opting out.
Tim,
What’s the story behind the pic????? Those kids are shooting the Hail-Hitler at the flag!
—guy
Guy,
That was the standard way to say the pledge until WWII.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Not only that, Tim: that gesture (like the swastika was a popular symbol) had been a standard military saluting gesture – mostly among cultures that did not have a history of visored helmets on their knights – for centuries before WWII.
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