Honoring Veterans and Honoring the Lord

In 1st Peter chapter 2, we read a passage that can encourage us to be in right relationship with the
governing authorities, to show a healthy respect for them, and to have an attitude of honor for everyone.
13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme,
14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--
16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

I think this provides a great reflection for this Veterans' Day.  It is important to be thankful for our nation and the freedoms that we enjoy.  The Bible also teaches us to pray for our governmental officials.  And, I believe that it is good to show honor to those who are the instruments of our government - those who serve in our military, who are willing to give of themselves in order to preserve our freedoms.  And, we can be thankful for those who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of our great nation.

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On this Veterans' Day 2015, we remember the incredible history of faith and faithfulness that has been fought for and preserved for us as Americans.  Psalm 33 says:
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

Later in the chapter, we read this:
20 Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.
22 Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.

Across our land, including earlier today in Montgomery, Veterans' Day celebrations have been observed.  But, at a university in Seattle, it appears that the commemoration has been muted by political correctness.

Todd Starnes has the story at FoxNews.com about the Pledge of Allegiance and the Presentation of Colors being removed from Seattle Pacific University’s Veteran’s Day chapel service, which was scheduled for yesterday, because chapel leadership was afraid that people might be offended.

Well, it turns out that the university’s Military and Veteran Support Club was offended - and outraged - by the chaplain’s decision.  Starnes writes that they called it a “slap in the face” of every soldier who fought, sacrificed and died for our freedoms.

Even though SPU is a Christian university with a Free Methodist background, the student population includes a diverse group of denominations,  including some that ascribe to pacifism.

A statement from the university to Q13 Fox read: “The organizers decided not to include the pledge of allegiance and the presentation of colors during the November 10th chapel, given that there are diversity of views on campus whether such elements should be part of a Christian worship service."

The founder of the Military and Veteran Support Club, Sarah Martin, in an impassioned letter, wrote in a letter to the chaplain:

“By removing the presentation of the flag and the pledge of allegiance, SPU would not only disrespect students from the military and intelligence community on campus, but also eliminate any reference to the values and freedoms that make it possible for University Ministries to assemble at a chapel in the first place,” adding, “Furthermore, you are stripping the chapel of a deeper meaning that glorifies God.”

Todd's article appeared on Friday, and late Friday afternoon the MVSC announced on its Facebook page that a settlement had been reached with University Ministries. They said, "We are thankful for the positive outcome of this issue." Here's the settlement:

Students will now have the opportunity to say the pledge of allegiance and honor the veterans with the presentation of the colors at a pre-chapel ceremony. The MVSC would like to thank all of the concerned veteran supporters who let their voices be heard. You are all invited to join in on this special moment to present the colors and say the pledge on November 10 (Tuesday), at First Free Methodist Church at 11:00 AM. Thank you for your support. And thank you, veterans, for your service!

Now, I think the Support Club is being diplomatic here, because quite frankly, their freedom to express their love for their country in a religious setting has been kicked to the curb!  Why not set up a special service for those who want to be free from the encumberences of a flag and a pledge?  But, I can also understand there probably is a desire to keep the peace, which is an important consideration.

So on this Veterans' Day, some thoughts arising from this unfortunate set of circumstances in Seattle.

For one thing, I do think it is important that we honor those who have bravely served our country so that we might live in peace and freedom.  The freedoms we enjoy, including freedom of speech and religion, were obtained because people have been willing to take a stand.  Even though someone may have a conviction against war or military service, is a person of faith or no faith, that person still is able to express himself and herself because of the sacrifices of others.  Our freedom to practice the Christian faith in America is an awesome right and privilege for us.

And, we have to be careful that we don't exalt patriotism over the practice of Christianity.  Our highest allegiance is to God Himself.   We can revere and respect the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance without worshipping them.   And, we can respect the rights of others to hold to a different view, but should their objections force another group to not express their view?

Unfortunately, and something the PC crowd has a disregard for, when you take action trying not to offend someone, you end up offending another group of people.  And, in our age of tolerance, when there is a rise in secularist ideology, Christians sometimes are the ones whose views are suppressed.  Because there is a prevailing view that religion or Christianity is "offensive," then extreme steps are sometimes taken to suppress that expression.  I would hope that is not the type America that our veterans have been willing to lay down their lives for, when you consider the strong faith of our founders and the rich Judeo-Christian heritage of our nation.