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We The People…

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Jul 4 3

As we celebrate the birthday of our nation today, and as many use this day as an opportunity to further their blind nationalism and unhealthy connection between God & country…I’d encourage you to watch this video today called “We the People.” The video was put together by the folks behind Prepare New York; they describe themselves on their website in the following way:

Prepare New York is a coalition of New York based interfaith organizations including – Auburn Seminary and its Center for Multifaith Education, Interfaith Center of New York, Intersections International, Odyssey Networks, Quest, and Tanenbaum and its Religion and Diversity Education Program, who are committed to preparing New York City (and the nation) for the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 by promoting civil dialogue, education about religious pluralism, support for the Muslim community, and coordinating events on the day of the anniversary.

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Church & Patriotism

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May 30 16

[For an earlier post I wrote on the same issue (and for a very cool article), go here]

I’m leading worship tomorrow for the last time at my church, and I noticed in the bulletin we are saying the Pledge of Allegiance, as well as the Christian Pledge of Allegiance. For those of you not familiar with the Christian Pledge of Allegiance, this is it:

I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and liberty to all who believe.

I hope I’m not asked to help lead this, because if I am asked, I cannot do it. I cannot do this generally, let alone in the context of worship. I do not mean any disrespect for any who have served, and or lost their lives in times of war – but I cannot promote a supposedly-Christian/God-endorsed-patriotism during a worship service. I know this is not solely a southern Idaho phenomenon (though it may be slightly intensified down here) – but I’m wondering how people deal with this issue in their churches? How do we deal with this problem – the problem of God and country? God and the US? Because yes, I do believe it is a problem. I am reminded of the words Jim Wallis shared at the Emergent Convention: “Since when did Jesus become pro-rich, pro-war & pro-America. I hate to mention this, and you might want to share this with your churches back home, but ‘God Bless America’ isn’t found anywhere in Scripture.”