I realize my first duty, as a Christian, is to my citizenship in heaven. I removed the flag once from the sanctuary because we were having several Palestinians coming for the service and a dinner. This was because the Kingdom is my first citizenship. I understand that point.
The kneeling at professional sports for the national anthem is very offensive to me. Why do people feel they must offend others to make their point. As a Veteran, I have sat at funerals of loved ones and friends who died in battle or who died later in life. I personally watched the POW’s from Vietnam get off the planes at Clark AFB in the Philippines in 1973. I watched them as they stretched their tortured bodies as straight as possible to give a salute.
I have sat with a marine who attempted to shoot his leg off due to the pain from an injury in Afghanistan. I have prayed with Veterans who lost their limbs and are struggling to walk. I have watched them struggle to stand to their feet when the national anthem is played, whether black, white, Latino, etc.
What I see when someone kneels is not a symbol of protest against injustice or protest against police. What I see are people kneeling on the dead bodies of my friends and loved ones to make a political point. Telling a Veteran or soldier, I appreciate your service, does not compensate for kneeling on the bodies of those he/she has lost.
Patriotism can unite even if we disagree. We can love this country today despite its flaws and some sorted history. The United States of America is not fighting for more territory or expansion: If it was Germany, Japan, and others would all belong to the USA. Without Patriotism, who are you going to get to keep Attila the Hun from the shores?
Patriotism is very well defined by a quote from G.K. Chesterton who said,
“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”
I believe General Collin Powell said it best when in England at a fairly large conference, he was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush.
He answered by saying that,
“Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.”
Again, telling a Veteran or active duty soldier, I appreciate your service, does not compensate for kneeling on the bodies of those she/he has lost.
And that’s my perspective. jda 2020
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Dr. James D Allen
Dr. Allen served as a seminary VP, pastor, and as a trustee on a Christian mental health Board. He has earned a BA, MA, MA Biblical Counseling, Doctor of Ministry. Dr Allen has also preached on 5 continents, lived in 3 nations, and so has a diverse Christian experience. He has a distinguished career of being a pastor, consultant, author, and educator. MY FIRST LOVE--Being a Pastor and encouraging others!