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By Dan Springer ~ FoxNews.com
Eugene, Oregon’s city council voted down a proposal to say the Pledge of Allegiance before every council meeting, but later passed a compromise that seemed to make no one happy.
The approved measure allows the pledge to be recited at just four Eugene City Council meetings a year, those closest to the Fourth of July, Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Flag Day.
Councilman Mike Clark says all he wanted to do was unite the council and show that in this city where diversity is celebrated, traditional values also are important.
Councilman George Brown voted against the compromise, saying the Pledge of Allegiance had no place at City Hall. “People can say it in their front yard or backyard,” Brown says. “It really doesn’t help move the city business forward. It does not unite us.”
posted June 29, 2011 at 6:45 am
I find the concept of pledging allegience to a piece of cloth or the country it represents to represent nothing but nationalist idolatry. Christians owe their allegience to God and God alone. Our brothers and sisters are those who follow Jesus’ teachings. Far too many people are willing to render unto Caesar that which belongs to God. What part of Sojourners don’t these folks understand. I am a pilgrim and stranger in this world.
posted June 30, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Do you have any rituals? Things you look forward to doing on, say, the 4th of July? or Christmas? or your birthday? Rituals are not meaningless. They are part of what bonds us together as family, or a group. You don’t idolize your birthday cake; but would you deprive your child of birthday cake because it shouldn’t be important to her(him)? You don’t worship your Christmas tree; but for many families, shopping for a tree is a family ritual that has meaning for them.
Likewise saying the Pledge of Allegiance. It’s a symbol–a symbol of allegiance to our country that helps to bond us together. Could we be loyal to our country without this symbol? Of course. But before you call it a silly symbol, look at the symbols in your own life, with your family, or your friends. Are they essential to your relationships? No. But they’re important, nonetheless.
Shame on the Eugene City Council.