Independence Day

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America." Like most children, I used to say this each morning at school as a little boy. But as I grew older, this became more and more difficult to say. I learned that although we believed that "all men are created equal," we enslaved millions of them because of their skin color. I learned that we made treaties with the natives, broke them, and stole their land. I learned that we interned Japanese-Americans during WWII even though they were just as American as any of us. Oh well, I thought. No country is perfect. We're different now.

But are we?

We're still holding people prisoners without giving them a trial. We're still torturing people behind closed doors. We're still waging wars without thinking of the damage it does to others. We're still exploiting the planet for all its worth without thinking about our future. We're still colonialists who believe in manifest destiny. We still trample people who get in our way.

I've decided in the last few years to pledge my allegiance to something else... something much higher and nobler and longer lasting. I pledge my allegiance to the kingdom of God. A kingdom which is present with us now, but which will be fully revealed at a later time. A kingdom not dependent upon violence and the exploitation of others for its existence, but rather one that worships the Lamb who was slain. One in which St. Peter puts away his sword because a new power is being revealed. Yes, I pledge allegiance to this kingdom.

Some Christians are able, in good conscience, to pledge their allegiance to both America and Christ. I cannot. The two are far too incompatible. I must make a decision to stand up for what I believe in. Do I believe in money and power and military might and oil and "the American way of life" or do I believe in suffering alongside the crucified one?

I pledge my undivided allegiance to the Lamb of God who reveals a new way to be human. I celebrate my independence today from any other loyalty.