Some of you will know that Sven and I have spent the last couple of weeks in the States and at present are in Texas with Kaari, Sven’s youngest daughter and her family. This morning I was privileged to go to school with four of her children and witness Ella who is five receive an award for student of the week. Having been into a number of schools in the UK to lead assemblies over recent years I was very interest to go into a USA school and see how things are done here.
I stood there and witnessed 5-11 year olds stand and face the American flag pledging their allegiance to America. With their hand on their hearts they recited:
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.
Then they paused for a moment, turned to face the Texas flag and with their hands remaining over their hearts continued to recite:
"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."
They then remained standing for a minutes silence.
It was strange, because in those moments, part of me was impressed and yet at the very same time part of me was deeply saddened. Yes, there was mention of God, but as an outsider looking in it seemed to me that it was much more about an allegiance to America than God. And then I recalled how in recent years there seems to have been a battle within the USA to remove the phrase: ‘One nation under God’ out. I was also deeply saddened that there was no prayer to begin their day with, no turning to God, no asking of God’s blessing upon this new day.
As I observed this ritual I was reminded of the words of Ann Graham Lotz, daughter of the evangelist Billy Graham, following September 11 she was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding the attack of 09:11)
Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman that He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events, terrorists attacks, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said ok.
Major Glad
Divisional Candidates Officer
Liverpool
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