Saturday, September 09, 2006

Should I Stand?

I think it's interesting that last year, on this very day, I wrote a post about Pledging allegiance to an earthly nation and tomorrow morning in our early service I'm supposed to be on the platform when we do just that. What do you think I should do? I'll read any suggestions that come in after I get back from a Saturday trip to PA for a wedding. 10 hours in a car alone. Thrilling!

7 comments:

Aaron Perry said...

you are supposed to pledge allegiance to the flag in a Christian worship service? i suggest reading Gal. 3:28. i don't know how i could do it, but i also don't know how i would get out of it.

Jo said...

hmmm. maybe you could just stand but not speak, and not put a hand on your heart? maybe not even face the flag? God will know that you don't mean it! And also, God understands the ins and outs of Church Politics.

Katie said...

Personally, I show respect to the flag in honor of vetrans and those who lost their lives fighting for our country. I know it upsets them when they see people ignoring the pledge.. Ignoring, as in showing no respect for it. It makes them feel like people do not have any respect for them and what they did for this country.
I don't see anything wrong with just standing there if your not showing blantant disrespect!!

~Katie

Anonymous said...

I think you should uphold your earlier conviction - you have to!! Otherwise, what do you stand for if you can so easily dismiss your convictions based on what you are expected to do? How well have you done in the last year shaking off all layers of identity that aren't of Christ until you are all His??? Do you stand for the rest of the world or will you stand for Him?

matthew said...

thanks for all the comments people :)

in regards to katie/tammy. I certainly don't mean any disrespect by not saying the pledge. and i certainly would just sit there rudely while everyone else stands. i live in a very patriotic area.

I will find some way to not be on the platform at that time. my boss is aware of my personal conviction in this area

matthew said...

haha, oops :)

btw. I just asked to not be on the platform this morning and worked the sound booth instead. no big deal :)

Aaron Perry said...

nice work, matt. i am a patriotic person and live out my patriotism with me faith. so, in regards to honoring veterans, it is precisely from my faith that i don't want to put them on a pedastal that is above their sacrifice and thereby disrespect them. c.s. lewis said something like, "if we think that our national motives are of pure justice, then we have not elevated them, but lowered them. the work of veterans is a huge sacrifice, but is not the same thing as confession to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. the work of the military is to establish borders and fences--often for good reason--and to confess my allegiance to the establishment of a border (i.e., nation) in a worship service enabled through the one whose life breaks down all walls is a great irony.