Sometimes I have not stood for the pledge, and it's not because of apathy or alienation. It's because we, as a nation, will trot out the Pledge of Allegiance for the most trivial of events. It's similar to me not always standing to give a "standing ovation." Have you noticed how commonplace they are now?
Secondly, I believe that my patriotism and allegiance are not defined by standing and mouthing words toward a flag. The flag is a symbolic representation - that's it.
Don't you remember Jesus saying, "Those who have ears should hear?" This is part of what he was talking about. If we need to recite the pledge again and again, every day, to remind ourselves that we are loyal to our country, what does that say about us? I'd say it means it went in one ear and out the other. Churches recognize the importance of symbols, just as we recognize the need to have a flag and a pledge, but when we see past these symbols to the truth, I'd say those people have been touched spiritually indeed.
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