In God we trust

[Udanor]

who is God an the US?

Last time I was in America (that was after 9/11) I went to a church meting.
It started out worshipping the Lord, after that the people preaching started to talk about how great the United States of America was.

They talked about how great America was compared to the rest of the world.
How we only do the right things and never makes mistakes
After a wile they basically started praising the flag and "for which it stands".
They said they were "patriotic".....

I have seen a lot of christian people that do the same thing...

I did not stand to "The Star Spangled Banner" that time. I just didn't think it was right to worship anyone but God.


My question is this... am i right?.... do we tend to be to "patriotic"?
(the reason I say "we" is because I am an American citizen, but i live in sweden)
or am I wrong to bring this up?

[McCulloch]

Just because some perceive the flag to be a religious icon because of the "under God" issue doesn't make it a religious icon.
" I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United State of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God (many remain silent for this phrase and are entitled to), indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all." You are pledging your allegiance to a political creed, not religious.

I did not know that you were allowed to have mental reservation about the under God phrase. Which other parts of the pledge are optional, or is that the only one? Would American monarchists be allowed to remain silent for the word republic , and American separatists be allowed to remain silent for the word indivisible and American racists be allowed to remain silent for with liberty and justice for all?

Why does your country's political creed include a religious element? Why do many of your country's churches' hymn books include patriotic songs? Why is the Flag venerated in many churches?

[Confused]

Just because some perceive the flag to be a religious icon because of the "under God" issue doesn't make it a religious icon.
" I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United State of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God (many remain silent for this phrase and are entitled to), indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all." You are pledging your allegiance to a political creed, not religious.

I did not know that you were allowed to have mental reservation about the under God phrase. Which other parts of the pledge are optional, or is that the only one? Would American monarchists be allowed to remain silent for the word republic , and American separatists be allowed to remain silent for the word indivisible and American racists be allowed to remain silent for with liberty and justice for all?

Why does your country's political creed include a religious element? Why do many of your country's churches' hymn books include patriotic songs? Why is the Flag venerated in many churches?

If I could answer any of these question, I would likely make a good religious leader or politician. Since I can't I will have to stick with medicine. I can say that in my daughters school, the pledge of allegiance is optional, in other words, all the children stand for it, but those who opt not to say it or opt to edit out the Under God portion are entitled to.
In regards to the remaining, I guess monarchists, separists, and racists would have to challenge it in the supreme courts just non-theists challenged the under God portion.

[Aristarkos]

Why does your country's political creed include a religious element? Why do many of your country's churches' hymn books include patriotic songs? Why is the Flag venerated in many churches?

Good questions. The short answer (like for many other questions about the puzzling behavior of people) is insecurities. People like to feel that they are right and that they are safe, and some let those feelings affect their perceptions and decisions more than others. My vote would be to have none of it, but I don't think those issues will be on the next ballot.