Forced to Pledge Allegiance

Last week, a prominent civil liberties attorney was jailed by a judge when he refused to join in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

The law of the land is clear: no American can be forced to make a pledge against his conscience, no matter how angry it makes the governmental authorities. It goes against everything that is American to coerce a citizen to commit his heart or his mind to a pledge against his will.

The Supreme Court case that established liberty of conscience in these matters, "West Virginia State Board v. Barnette," was decided in 1943. The Court asked, and rightly so, what sort of patriotism is it that demands on pain of jail such conformity from our fellow citizens?

The coercion of the heart and mind are condemned by the Scriptures. The negative example is Nebuchadnezzar's attempt to force the three Hebrew children to bow before his false god.

The positive example is that of our Lord Jesus, who rebuked his disciples when they suggested that Christ's opponents be punished.

Our Lord Jesus submitted to the refusal of men to acknowledge His person and authority. He was meek and gentle with such men. It was foretold that He would not cry aloud in the streets when He came.

Though Christ and His Gospel are never to be spread by force, yet hundreds of millions of pagans have been gently led to Him as their Redeemer. The Lord expects His people to follow after His example in eschewing coercion and force as we carry out His business in this world.

Our Lord does not force us to Himself against our wills. Rather, He changes us to be willing to do His will.

Our wills are in bondage to sin, but God liberates them and draws us unto His Son!