- by Alan Adaschik

When we recite the Pledge of Allegiance with the words “under God” included, we acknowledge God’s existence and this in and of it self presents no theological difficulties. However, many of us also believe that acknowledgment of God in our pledge implies that we are a nation with “God on our side”. Irrespective of the inherent evil associated with this kind of thinking, such a leap of faith in the light of the ministry of Jesus Christ is tantamount to heresy and idolatry. However, this is not the only troubling aspect about including the words “under God” in our Pledge of Allegiance.

When we pledge allegiance it is to our Flag and to the Republic for which it stands. The problem is that the United States of America is no longer a Republic. Instead, we have evolved into being a Democracy. The difference between the two is not inconsequential. In a Republic, the rule of law under a written a constitution is paramount. In contrast, a Democracy is a nation ruled by the will of the majority. Our Founding Fathers took great pains to establish a Republic in lieu of a Democracy because they clearly understood that a Democracy is a contemptible form of government where the uninformed and uneducated masses rule. In other words, right or wrong the mob rules and the mob is wrong far too often because it is usually uninformed and swayed by emotion instead of wisdom.

God, if anything, is the embodiment of truth. Lies, deception, and subterfuge are repugnant to him. Therefore, to invoke the name of God in the same breath that we formally swear allegiance to a non-existent form of government is blasphemy. There is no way around this theological dilemma no matter how well intended our recitation of the Pledge is. The Republic we once lived under no longer exists. To proclaim that it still exists in a formal oath is deception. God, the embodiment of truth, would never bless or smile upon those who willingly or unwittingly participate in deception.

The implications of this state of affairs is regrettable for a number of reasons. The fact that we swear allegiance to a Republic which no longer exists is not lost upon those who lead us and sets the stage for how they perceive the people of America. This, in turn, determines how we are governed. It is here where we lose our moral authority and the right to posture that we are the best of all possible nations. Under the circumstances, what can we tell others about following our example? Proceed to write a constitution for appearance sake and then swear allegiance to the newly created government which is not bound by its newly written constitution? Is this what we expect from the Iraqi people when they establish their new government? If we were truly honest, we would warn other people about the mistakes we have made, but instead, we continue to deceive ourselves and lie to the rest of the world.