What would the Bible say about the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag?

Answer 1

The Bible would probably say that the "sentiments" of the Pledge of Allegiance are good -- as long as that nation is indeed "one" in spirit and purpose -- and heart -- UNDER God [obedient to Him].

And is not divisive [like, Americans used to be 'indivisible' and united as only 'Americans' and not 'Native-Americans' and 'African-Americans' and 'Chinese-Americans' and 'Mexican-Americans' and 'Italian-Americans' and... well... you get the idea]. As long as that nation is indeed UNDER God... and is not just paying lip service to Him... and has not set itself ABOVE Him.

The Bible would probably say that the sentiments of the Pledge of Allegiance are very good ones.

But these modern, high-tech [we're-too-advanced-and-wise-to-believe-in-God] days... the Bible would probably warn the people of that nation who might utter those sentiments:

...'These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' ...You have let go of the Commandments of God and are holding on to the traditions of men... You have a fine way of setting aside the Commands of God in order to observe your own traditions." (Mark 7:6-9 NIV)

"Thus you nullify the Word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." (verse 13)

The Bible might also say:

"...Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." (Matt.12:25 NIV)

As Jesus lamented over Jerusalem... God's WORD might say to that nation which declares itself united UNDER God, but which is in Truth only uttering empty words:

"...how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks UNDER her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate." (Matt.23:37 NIV)

Yes... the Bible might say these things, and much more... not so much regarding the Pledge of Allegiance... but to the hearts of the people of that nation who repeat that pledge.

Answer 2

Not all religious people believe we should be swearing our loyalty to a man-made symbol, since that violates the Biblical commandment not to make or bow to a "graven image." For that reason, Jehovah's Witnesses do not pledge allegiance, and they won a Supreme Court case in 1943, when patriotic fervor about World War II was making educators put special emphasis on showing loyalty. The Witnesses, who were faithful Christians, refused to salute the flag, and several JW students were suspended. But the courts ruled that they had every right to practice their religion and could not be punished for doing so.

That said, most Americans, no matter what their religion, have attended a school where the daily routine included the Pledge of Allegiance. As it was originally written in 1892, it did NOT mention God. It was written to be a secular ritual so that people, especially immigrants, could develop feelings of loyalty for their new country. In 1954, during McCarthyism and during the cold war period, the words "Under God" were added in, to show that Americans believe in God whereas Russian Communists did not. But even with the new religious words added, most school-kids who said the pledge at the beginning of the day did not think of it as a prayer, but rather as a ritual that showed respect for the American flag. It is safe to say that the majority of Americans agree with this perspective: they do not regard the pledge as a religious doctrine, so it is not contrary to anything in the Bible.