A Non-MAGAt Pledge of Allegiance

I

An Actually-American Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance only to God who is Life Source/Life Force.

I believe entirely in the absolute separation of synagogue/church/mosque and state. Thus, I will never allow the nation to become an object of worship.

I honor my country to the extent that it keeps the principles of democracy available to and functioning for every citizen regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, or economic status as well as for visitors who felt their wellbeing was threatened in their countries of origin and sought sanctuary among us.

I appreciate the principles for which the flag stands and refuse to let anti-democracy enemies of liberty, justice, dignity, and compassion-for-all turn it into a cheap prop to be worn as a necktie or poncho or wrapped around a pulpit or a Christian cross; or to be placed inside or outside a structure built for the worship of God.

I will not stay silent when faux patriots (who most often are faux Christians) try to destroy our ideals in defense of their god who has several names; for example Avarice, Blessed Bigot, Sugar Daddy, Unchecked Power, Violence.

Remaining quiescent is impossible when war is waged and genocides are undertaken or when action is demanded to stop citizens from abusing children or elders or the infirm or those of any age who are not Caucasian.

I refuse ever to call evil “good” or good “evil.”

I celebrate with people of every nation our common humanity, our shared habitat, and God’s love for us all along with God’s refusal to prefer one of our nations over another.

II

Piety and Patriotism

Piety is connected to one’s spirituality. If my spirituality is in relationship to/communion with Life Source/Life Force, my name for God as well as my foundational description of God, who incidentally is never named—only described—in Hebrew scripture and Christian scripture, then that pulls me to nurture a piety that makes God’s stirrings ultimate in my values, ethics, commitments.

Patriotism is a potentially powerful respect for and devotion to a country, let us say. It is possible for me to love my country with fervor, but neither nation nor patriotism are ultimates. They are temporal and eventually pass away unlike God who is eternal. I must not, therefore, allow patriotism to be confused with piety; much less to allow piety to become warped, shaped by temporal nationalistic devotion and emotional responses only suited for God.

MAGAts and other religious right types like Reconstructionists try to blend piety and patriotism as if the two can functionally and permanently become one. They cannot. Piety may tell me what to think about patriotism, but it is outside the purview of patriotism altogether to try to tell me about God.

Oil and vinegar dressing can be tasty as the two are mixed together, but they will not remain blended for long. The one can simply not become the other. Similarly if you can’t tell the difference between the two as the uneaten portions sink to the bottom of the salad bowl, something is wrong with your tastebuds if not your eyesight.

An American flag doesn’t belong in a sanctuary for the worship of God (or any where on church property) any more than a public prayer belongs at a high school sports event. If you think Donald Trump enhances the value of your Bible by signing it your spiritual tastebuds are shot.

III

“God Loves Humanity” sung to the tune “GOD BLESS AMERICA” by Irving Berlin, 1918, public domain. Words by David Albert Farmer © Copyright 2026 David Albert Farmer

Because of the beauty of the founders’s vision for religious plurality in our country and the required separation of synagogue/church/mosque from government, our would-be patriotic songs must not suggest that God favors the United States over other nations. Such arrogance and ignorance are actually unAmerican. Here is a possible starting point for an overhaul. Sing with me!

God loves humanity; no one left out

None are favored or chosen

With a self-righteousness motive to flout.

From Jamaica and Tibet too, yes Ukraine, the Gaza Strip,

God loves humanity, and so must we.

Without tranquillity, we cease to be.