I enjoy reading Al Maxey’s Reflections. I don’t always agree with him, but he always makes me think. He recently wrote about a subject that fits with what I’ve been talking about lately. Al wrote about the appropriateness of saying the Pledge of Allegiance. I’ve written some on this before. (see I Pledge Allegiance) My teaching in the last few years has been that, when we say the Pledge of Allegiance, we are always placing an asterisk at the end of the pledge. We pledge allegiance with the understanding that allegiance to God comes first. We pledge allegiance as long as the nation remains under God.
But now I wonder about that even. Just what are we pledging? What are we promising to do? I guess this is sort of like an oath, and oaths make me uneasy anyway. But I especially worry when I’m not even sure what I am pledging. What does it mean to be loyal to the flag and to the country? Up to what point? In what ways?
When I got married, I made a pledge to my wife (pledging her my troth, for those that like the old language). I understand what those vows involve. I’m not sure what these vows involve. And I’m not sure that I’m altogether comfortable with making a promise to an earthly kingdom. But I’m more than willing to learn, so please enlighten me with your views. Just what’s being pledged?