Why don't jehovah's witnesses salute the flag?

Answer 1

Even though we do not pledge our allegiance to the flag of any nation, this certainly is not meant to indicate disrespect. We do respect the flag of whatever country we live in, and we show this respect by obedience to the country's laws. We never engage in antigovernment activity of any kind. In fact, we believe that present human governments constitute an "arrangement of God" that he has temporarily permitted to exist. So we consider ourselves under divine command to pay taxes, tribute and honor to such "superior authorities."-Romans 13:1-7.

'But why, then,' you may ask, 'do you not honor the flag by pledging allegiance it?' It is because we view the flag salute as an act of worship. Although we do not discourage others from saluting the flag, we cannot conscientiously give what we view as worship to anyone or anything except our God, Jehovah. (Matthew 4:10) Of course, many people do not consider the flag sacred or that saluting it is an act of worship. However, consider what one secular authority says about this:

"The flag, like the cross, is sacred. . . . The rules and regulations relative to human attitude toward national standards use strong, expressive words, as, 'Service to the Flag,' . . . 'Reverence for the Flag,' 'Devotion to the Flag.'"-The Encyclopedia Americana (1942), Volume 11, page 316.

We recognize Jehovah God requires exclusive devotion in harmony with Isa 42:8 and Det 5:7-9, "You must never have any other gods against my face. You must not make for yourself a carved image, any form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them or be led to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion"

So we see that "pledging allegiance" to any flag and to depart from exclusive devotion to him would incur the heat of His anger.

Note: the Flag is constructed from cloth and thread and is man made. It is an inanimate object which cannot save you.

The Grand Creator of the universe, the earth, and life on it is Jehovah God is alive (in a spirit body) knows your very thoughts and feelings, cares for you (1 Peter 5:7), and wants you to know him and his requirements.

Which one makes sense to honor, glorify and pledge your allegiance to?

Answer 2

Short answer because for a Christian, it is idolatry.

Long answer is straight out of one of the the Publications from Jehovah's Witnesses.

This is out of the brochure entitled: School and Jehovah's Witnesses.

This brochure is provided to many teachers who have students that are Jehovah's Witnesses and is helpful in explaining our beliefs and why certain school activities our children would rather not partake in.

*** sj pp. 12-15 Flag Salute, Anthems and Voting ***

Perhaps one of the most sensitive areas of our children's interaction with the schools involves patriotic observances. We realize that deep feelings may be involved, and we appreciate very much those teachers who handle the various situations with sensitivity and understanding. An explanation of why Jehovah's Witnesses do not participate in patriotic observances may be helpful.

Historical evidence indicates that the first Christians did not involve themselves in political affairs. As Jesus said of them: "They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world." (John 17:16) Rather, they shared a common allegiance to a heavenly government, God's Kingdom. New York educators Eugene A. Colligan and Maxwell F. Littwin said regarding them in the book From the Old World to the New: "They preferred the Kingdom of God to any kingdom that they might serve on earth."

In this respect early Christians followed closely the example set by Jesus Christ, and Jehovah's Witnesses today try to live up to that standard. (John 6:15; 18:36) Note how textbooks comment on the neutral position Christ's early followers took toward political affairs:

"Early Christianity was little understood and was regarded with little favor by those who ruled the pagan world. . . . Christians refused to share certain duties of Roman citizens. . . . They would not hold political office."-On the Road to Civilization, A World History (1937), by Albert K. Heckel and James G. Sigman, pages 237, 238.

"The Roman government called the Christians enemies of the state. They would not serve in the Roman army. They refused to salute the emperor's statue, which meant the same to Roman society that a nation's flag does to citizens today. They were loyal only to their religion."-Man-His World and Cultures (1974), by Edith McCall, Evalyn Rapparlie and Jack Spatafora, pages 67, 68.

As you may appreciate, following a similar course of neutrality today affects our young people's participation in a number of school exercises and activities. What conscientious position on these matters have Jehovah's Witnesses taken earth wide?

The Flag Salute

Even though we do not salute the flag of any nation, this certainly is not meant to indicate disrespect. We do respect the flag of whatever country we live in, and we show this respect by obedience to the country's laws. We never engage in antigovernment activity of any kind. In fact, we believe that present human governments constitute an "arrangement of God" that he has temporarily permitted to exist. So we consider ourselves under divine command to pay taxes, tribute and honor to such "superior authorities."-Romans 13:1-7.

'But why, then,' you may ask, 'do you not honor the flag by saluting it?' It is because we view the flag salute as an act of worship. Although we do not discourage others from saluting the flag, we cannot conscientiously give what we view as worship to anyone or anything except our God, Jehovah. (Matthew 4:10) Of course, many people do not consider the flag sacred or that saluting it is an act of worship. However, consider what secular authorities say about this:

"The flag, like the cross, is sacred. . . . The rules and regulations relative to human attitude toward national standards use strong, expressive words, as, 'Service to the Flag,' . . . 'Reverence for the Flag,' 'Devotion to the Flag.'"-The Encyclopedia Americana (1942), Volume 11, page 316.

"Nationalism's chief symbol of faith and central object of worship is the flag, and curious liturgical forms have been devised for 'saluting' the flag, for 'dipping' the flag, for 'lowering' the flag, and for 'hoisting' the flag. Men bare their heads when the flag passes by; and in praise of the flag poets write odes and children sing hymns."-What Americans Believe and How They Worship (1952), by J. Paul Williams, pages 359, 360.

You may feel that the above are extreme views. However, it is interesting that in the colonial days of America the Puritans objected to the British flag because of its red cross of "Saint" George. According to The Encyclopædia Britannica (1910-1911), they did this, "not from any disloyalty to the mother country, but from a conscientious objection to what they deemed an idolatrous symbol."

One of the Ten Commandments forbids making an object to worship with "a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath." (Exodus 20:4, 5) As Christians, we also feel bound by the Bible's command to 'guard ourselves from idols.'-1 John 5:21.

We appreciate it when teachers are understanding regarding our beliefs and help our children to abide by them. Others have expressed an understanding of the position we have taken that the flag salute is related to worship, as the following comments show:

"Christians refused to . . . sacrifice to the [Roman] emperor's genius-roughly equivalent today to refusing to salute the flag or repeat the oath of allegiance."-Those About to Die (1958), by Daniel P. Mannix, page 135.

"The key assumption is that saluting a flag constitutes an act of religious devotion. . . . This view, while odd, is not entirely without biblical support. . . . If saluting is a religious act, then it is forbidden by God's law however worthy the object of respect. In other words, refusal to salute need imply no disrespect for flag or country."-Render Unto Caesar, The Flag-Salute Controversy (1962), David R. Manwaring, assistant professor of political science, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, page 32.

We would like to emphasize that we intend no disrespect for any government or its rulers by our refusal to salute the flag. It is just that we will not, in an act of worship, bow down to or salute an image representing the State, like the one Nebuchadnezzar raised up in the plain of Dura, or like the modern flags of the nations. (Daniel 3:1-30) Significantly, the Supreme Court of the United States, in a historic reversal of a previous decision, stated:

"We think the action of the local authorities in compelling the flag salute and pledge transcends constitutional limitations on their power and invades the sphere of intellect and spirit which it is the purpose of the First Amendment to our Constitution to reserve from all official control."-West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943).

So then, while others salute and pledge allegiance, our children stand quietly during the flag salute ceremony. But if, for some reason, the flag ceremony is conducted in such a way that simply standing gives evidence of one's participation in the ceremony, our young ones remain seated. In addition, our youths do not march in patriotic parades, which would show their support of the thing honored by the parade. We remain neutral.

Answer 3

It is not a question of liking or of not liking it; nor is it just the U. S. flag.

We do not salute, or pledge allegiance, to the flag of any nation.

One, our allegiance belongs to Jehovah and his Kingdom, which will soon do away with all human governments. (Daniel 2:44; Matthew 6:10, 33; Revelation 11:15)

Two, we view the act of saluting the flag as an act of idolatry, which The Bible strictly prohibits. (1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 John 5:21)

Answer 4

Although Jehovah's witnesses will show due regard and respect for national emblems such as flags, they will not wear them simply because it would violate the scriptural command to "be no part" of the world, this question cannot be answered sufficiently without it's logical connection to what wearing a flag would signify, which is a form of nationalism, which is a further violation other words of Jesus to "pay Caesars things to Caesar, but God's things to God." and to "worship Jehovah your God alone", witness the world over will pay their taxes, and obey the laws of Caesar, yet they will not give adoration, allegiance, devotion to nations in which they live or the flags of those countries which are acts of worship which belong and are due to their God Jehovah.

Answer 5

Jehovah's Witnesses will not pledge their allegiance to any human government other than God's Kingdom, which they believe will rule over the entire Earth in the future after the war of Armageddon. For one of Jehovah's Witnesses, saying things like "I pledge my allegiance to" and "One nation under God" are totally contrary to their core beliefs on staying neutral in political affairs and not being allied with mankind's attempts at rule outside of God's direction and guidance.

Saying a pledge like that is more than just mere words for Jehovah's Witnesses, as they truly believe you should do whatever you say you are going to do. They believe that God will end up destroying all human governments some day and installing his own Kingdom ruled by Jesus Christ as King. It is believed that people of all nations will be able to be subjects of God's Kingdom. That coming Kingdom, or government, is the only one they would say is one nation under God.

Answer 6

It is considered by Witnesses to be a form of idolatry