Libertas

I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.

I remember dutifully reciting the pledge every morning as a kid. To be honest, it was just one of the things we had to do. I wasn’t particularly annoyed reciting it, but I wasn’t swelling with pride either. I don’t think I thought much about it. I just knew it was important. My family was scandalized that part of our family, who were Jehovah’s Witnesses, wouldn’t say the pledge. They didn’t pledge allegiance to the flag, fight in wars, or celebrate holidays like the Fourth of July, Christmas, Easter, or even birthdays!

We stopped saying it in high school and that seemed Okay, because it was for kids anyway. We were too old and sophisticated for that. The big debate over the pledge was whether or not the phrase, under God should remain. Everyone I knew, believed it damn well it should stay!

Later, when I became a teacher, I once again recited it each day with my students. I was vaguely uncomfortable about it, but never sure why. It was similar to praying in public, even though praying didn’t bother me much, since I started out as a religion teacher. But I had the uncomfortable feeling that it was a little too religious in nature. I didn’t believe in the American Civil Religion; it was idolatry. For the same reason, I didn’t approve of the American Flag at the altar. The Church was catholic, universal, not nationalistic. Nevertheless, I continued reciting the pledge just as I did as a child, it was something we did at the beginning of school, and that was that.

Things have changed.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America

What exactly does it mean to pledge allegiance to a flag? I promise to be loyal? How does that work? It can only mean treating the flag with respect, because it symbolizes something else, but what?

And to the Republic for which it stands

I could pledge allegiance to that, but where is the Republic now? Can I pledge allegiance to a lost Republic? Or is it publicly pledging allegiance to a Nationalist Government set on becoming a world empire? I could have mental reservations as I say the pledge, thinking of the lost republic instead of the beast we now live under, but is that honest?

One Nation under God

is a nice sentiment, but does that mean God approves of what this nation does? Do we think by placing this nation under God, America somehow gets a free pass? Probably not, if asked directly, but subconsciously, I think too many Americans equate what America does with the acts and will of God. Still, I would want my country to remember God and to follow His ways, just not claim its ways were God’s ways.

Sic semper tyrannis

Indivisible

Now that’s the problem. Why is it indivisible? Why is the nation that separated itself from the British Empire indivisible? Why is the nation indivisible when many of the states upon joining the Union explicitly stated they had the right to secede from the Union? Because Abraham Lincoln unconstitutionally invaded and made war against the States wanting to secede, causing the deaths of more than 600,000 souls. The Federal Republic of a voluntary union of sovereign States was destroyed by a tyrant who replaced it with a national government ruling the States.

I cannot and will not pledge allegiance to an indivisible nation!

With Liberty and Justice for all

are nice sounding words, just as most of the words of Lincoln, but are a mockery of reality, just as his Gettysburg Address.

I love America, the people of America, their diversity, and their various cultures, but I will not pledge allegiance to an indivisible nation, much less, one set on becoming a world empire, destroying, despite the rhetoric, Liberty and Justice for All.

Recommended:

Note on the Gettysburg Address by H.L. Mencken

The Real Lincoln by Thomas DiLorenzo

Who Killed The Constitution by Thomas E. Woods Jr. and Kevin R. C. Gutzman