Although I have strong feelings about the separation of church and state, I'm putting those feelings aside to reflect on what it means to me to be a citizen of a nation that puts its trust in God, and calls for allegiance to it as a nation "under God".
Each one of us, who is not an atheist, has a unique and personal understanding of "God" that may be influenced by our religious affiliation. In my case, I identify as a Christian, ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. But, my personal relationship with "God" and understanding of God's will for our country cannot be separated from my life experiences that reshape and refresh my theology continually, for I believe God is still speaking.
The Judeo-Christian God I have met in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures would surely lament a government that did not include in its interpretation of "liberty and justice for all", helping the poor and correcting injustices that give unfair advantages to certain groups. A biblical "preferential option for the poor" does not reject the privileged, it simply serves to rectify a gross imbalance. Everyone is called to join in correcting the imbalance. No one is exempt or too hard-hearted to be converted, whether from money power like Zaccheus in the Christian gospels, or political power like Nicodemas, or religious power like Paul.
God's covenant with creation includes a special concern for the poor and the vulnerable. Listed below, are several scriptural foundations for this understanding:
Laws protecting "aliens", widows and orphans--
Exodus 22: 20-22
Leviticus 19:33-34
Deuteronomy 24: 17-18
Laws protecting debtors--
Exodus 22:24-26
Leviticus 25:23-28
Deuteronomy 23:20
Deuteronomy 24:6 and 10-13
Laws providing for the poor--
Deuteronomy 14:28-29
Deuteronomy 26:12-13
Judgment of nations--
Matthew 25: 31-46
Jesus mission to the poor/outcast--
Luke 4:16-21
Reaching out to the poor/vulnerable--
Luke 14:12-14
With just these few references in mind, a "nation under God in whom we trust", would surely have a democratic government that creates and supports a system wherein all people can directly and successfully help make decisions that affect them; where the most vulnerable--the poor and marginalized--are protected.
Relief to the afflicted is a response to the effects of abuse, neglect, and evil. Chronic need and emergencies require unrestrained response. Long-term dependency on relief measures may be avoided by addressing the underlying causes of poverty and institutionalized injustice, and by becoming co-creators of the realm of God on earth. God has promised to protect God's people, but God is relying on humanity, created in God's image and likeness, to partner in this transformation.
It's okay with me to identify the United States of America as a "nation under God" only when we actually behave like one; when being "under God" is more than a motto. Until then, we are still in need of redemption.
(submitted by Rev. Dalene Fuller Rogers whose views and opinions expressed here, do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of other members of the Organ Mt. Institute for Spiritual Growth)
The gospels have a theme of Jesus reaching out to the marginalized in his society; the poor, women, Samaritans, children, prostitutes, lepers and tax collectors. He did not reject those who were of higher social status and who were comfortable economically, but he did make it clear that no one was exempt from the need to repent. This is highlighted in the passage where he invites the rich young ruler to sell all of his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor. The richest person in the world is the one who gives it away.
Mark 10:17-30
Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4: 18-19
Jesus also reinterprets the traditional meaning of the word "neighbor" to include anyone in need, especially social outcasts.
Luke 10: 25-37
In Matthew's gospel, it is clear that Jesus believes God will judge harshly those who have not helped the needy. "Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25: 31-46
