The Pledge of Allegiance (4am) - Essay

The Pledge of Allegiance (4am)

“…with liberty and justice for all.”  What does this mean? Presumably, since the phrase is a part of the pledge of allegiance to the Republic of the United States of America, and since only Americans make this pledge, it means “with liberty and justice for all Americans.” There is nothing wrong with this. This is a country. Countries have agendas, borders, interests to protect and to foster. America does what countries do, and does it well in many instances. It may be argued that it does what countries do more perfectly than any in the history of the world, but that’s another question. My questions today came about because it seems that some Americans somehow see their Republic as more than a country; maybe like God’s favorite country or as a promised land of some sort, as if their God  favors this soil above any other. (“Their God” being an often redundant phrase since theirs is, or should be to them, everyone’s.) Leaving that for a moment, let’s take a look at another phrase in the Pledge of Allegiance, one that speaks of God. 

“…one nation under God…” This part of the Pledge is often stated with a comma-like pause between the words “nation” and “under”, as if we were stating that there is a nation, and there is a state of being called “under God”, but they have nothing to do with one another in this statement. I don’t think this is the intent of the author or many that state the Pledge- and it makes a difference. Are we really saying that there is “ONE nation under God”? Aren’t all nations under God? If the answer is no, then what makes this one particularly favored? Is it the actions it, or its people, take now? Or was it God-like when it was founded and has since slipped, fallen from grace? I wonder how the spiritual views of the current citizens of the United States color our feelings about the Republic and its status as the “one nation under God”? In the bulk of popular Christianity (taking out the substantial and popular doctrines of Catholicism and various smaller denominations, cults, etc.), it is impossible to fall from God’s grace once “saved” because salvation is not tied to one’s general works or actions. Once saved, they say, always saved. Are some of us applying the same standard to our nation? Did our Founding Parents save us forever from evil, or does our auspicious start on their backs and in their blood give us even more responsibility to carry their principles forward? What were their principles, really? Are we meeting that challenge as a nation? Do our current national leaders look like the ones that started this nation? Is our national agenda the same now as it was then? Maybe it’s not reasonable to think it should be. But if it has gone too far astray and should not have, what is our responsibility? What would God do with a Republic like ours is now, under Him? If you are a Catholic or belong to a smaller Christian denomination or cult and do not see your spiritual status as guaranteed because of a one-time proclamation the same questions apply, but from a different assumption; that people and nations are accountable for their works. Many people of all types of spiritual and religious viewpoints would agree with this statement, but when it comes to this nation, some seem to have different standards.     

If the answer to the question above about all nations being under God is yes, all nations are indeed under God, then why do we pledge allegiance to one flag and covenant to defend liberty and justice for us alone? Should we not be concerned, with deep and agape-like love, for all people and all nations, especially the ones that are affected by America’s far-reaching actions? Does the nation to which we pledge allegiance have the same concern? Can it? Is it a nation’s responsibility to care in this way for all people the world over? I don’t think it is, but it wasn’t long ago that one of our presidents committed to people the world over that we as a Nation would behave as a “benevolent giant.” Have we lived up to that promise? And for many, here is the crux: what if the actions of “the Republic” offend our basic morality? What if one sees the defense of her “interests” as tyranny? How much power does one that sees such things have within the system to change the actions of it? Don’t all systems set up systems to defend themselves so they can survive? When I look at legislation like Citizens United, I see that substantial power has been taken away from the actual citizens. When I see laws like the Patriot Act, I see that freedom of speech may be well on its way to being limited, something that the original patriots fought against. Unless the nation that wields such incredible power as that Act provides is truly a benevolent and wise giant towards her own people, it’s a slippery slope towards fascism and that nation is one step closer to one of the characteristics of Hitler’s Germany: where the safest place to be politically was goose-stepping in line with the rest of the minions.  

I awoke this morning with thoughts of this nation in this pre-Christmas season and wanted to share them because I want to see what people think. I am curious about it. I am curious about the emotions that arise from these statements and questions, and where those may come from. I AM critical of this country for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it has been so blessed. America does much good in the world, but just as most people’s concept of God is one that considers all our actions – good and bad - it is our responsibility to consider all the actions of this nation, and to weigh them, and to take action that honors not only our personal integrity or spiritual commitments, but the blood and sacrifices of our Founders. In the end, I pledge allegiance to that.