While reading a fellow Utah Christian’s blog, a thought crossed my mind. Allegiance to your country is often made with a strong statement, be it verbal, non-verbal, symbolic or otherwise. Some wave flags, hoist them on flagpoles, wear flags on their bodies. Others hold hands over their hearts, over their heads, and sing national anthems. While a lot of these statements are wholesome and good, what does the Bible say about taking an oath, like the Pledge of Allegiance? After doing some research and reading, I found that Jesus addressed oaths/pledges quite succinctly.

Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Matthew 5:33-37

While it’s possible that I may be reading this out of context, it seems as if Jesus addresses both honesty and oath-taking. His command? Don’t make them at all. This may be a bit of a shock to many Christians in the United States who are ever so patriotic and loyal to their country. If the wording Jesus used wasn’t enough to convince you or make you think about this a little bit differently, James also addresses the issue.

 Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.
James 5:12

The question remains – is it un-patriotic to not hold your hand over your heart or to sing the national anthem? The Bible doesn’t really address this issue. My take is that as long as you’re not making an oath, it’s okay. One of the biggest things people love about the United States is the freedom. Freedom to make whatever statement you want to make. Personally, I don’t recite the Pledge of Allegiance for the reasons above. Does that make me less patriotic? I should hope not. I love my country and have an immense amount of respect for those who have fought and died to defend what we believe is right – freedom. This is true patriotism in my heart. Patriotism is a difficult thing to define, as so many different people have views on it. My favorite quote regarding patriotism is the famous but apparently mis-attributed:

Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Adlai E. Stevenson on patriotism.

Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.
Adlai E. Stevenson