My Pledge of Allegiance

I have recently joined a club at work called Toastmasters, which is aimed at helping people develop their public speaking abilities.  During our meetings, the club faces the American flag and recites the pledge of allegiance.  Though I usually put my hand over my heart as to not draw attention, I do not say the pledge of allegiance.  I also do not sing patriotic songs, especially in church. 

I ran across an article a while ago which was what originally led me to write this post and share this.  http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/28/patriotism-and-the-god-gap/ In the article, it references a Christianity Today article which talks about the differing views of America being the best country in the world amongst different religious groups and those unaffiliated.  Here are some excerpts:

"Among those surveyed, evangelicals were the most likely to think the United States is No. 1."

"Only one in five of those without religious beliefs said the U.S. is the best country in the world, an equal percentage agreeing that 'there are other countries that are better than the U.S.' ”

The article then has the following quote and excerpted comments from the Christianity Today article.

"Not everyone is enamored with equating religious conviction and patriotism. Consider these excerpts from the comments that followed the Christianity Today article:"

“To call yourself a Christian evangelical and still think that America is the greatest is ironic to say the least. God is not about country. God is about love and everyone is equal in his eyes, including the rest of the world.”

“What's really sad is the widespread perception among evangelicals that there is some kind of link between America's standing and the work and purpose and success of God's kingdom. There is not. Two words: wrong kingdom. I repeat: wrong kingdom. It matters not a whit what America's status in the world is. The kingdom of Jesus Christ does not depend on this in any way and will continue regardless.”

“When our astronauts look down at the Earth it doesn't look like a classroom globe with lines on it. All of those lines are drawn in the minds of human beings. I am grateful to be an American. But sometimes I think that some elements of conservative Christianity really see their religion as patriotism, their scripture the Constitution and God their servant to gain their personal aims. This whole Earth is the object of God's love and concern. And to claim that any one nation in today’s world is more favored than another may be promoting a Christian heresy.”

These comments are more in line with my views.  I do not say the pledge of allegiance because my  allegiance is not to this country at all.  I am part of a kingdom that is far greater whose people are spread out throughout this world. I carry the name of Christian above all other names.  And I hope that just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I always call into question what the people of my my country are doing and not do it if it is not serving or uplifting to my God.  Because I want my life to look like the image of Christ and not the image of the American culture.  So I have written my own pledge of allegiance that I want to start saying instead.  Here it is:

"I pledge allegiance to my God, the creator of the Universe, and to the people whom He loves, one nation under God, indivisible, with hope and grace for all."

We are all one in Christ Jesus....no matter where we live.