Part 19 World War I and Patriotism
Years before the United States entered the conflict, primarily fought in Europe, many churches in the United States and elsewhere on the face of this globe wished their countries to follow a policy of isolation and pacifism toward the growing clouds of war in Europe. In the pulpits of America, Methodist churches included, pastors railed against involvement in European conflicts. Those conflicts were not ours nor were interpretations of Biblical thought supportive of war. Few people at that time were interpreting any forthcoming war to be a “just war”, a theology that would in time be developed, eventually justifying American entrance into wars to be fought later in the 20th century.
In May 1915, the sinking of the Lusitania by way of a submarine’s torpedo began to influence ideologies relative to the closeness of Europe. Over 125 American lives were lost on an early morning off the coast of Ireland. The Lusitania was a British passenger liner and the submarine represented the German government. Both were already declared at war with each other. The German government had placed large warnings of danger on the dock in New York for those who would be boarding Lusitania, yet hundreds did not heed the warning. The American government led by Woodrow Wilson against the action of the German government issued protests. In due time, the German government apologized and America did not go to war. Even in 1916 when Woodrow Wilson was up for reelection, he campaigned with the motto, “He kept us out of war”. Mr. Wilson won a second term due to the fact that the support for pacifism still ran stronger than those who represented a more hawkish philosophy. Other events did take place that the media was quick to publicize; the sinking of the Sussex via submarine in 1916 with the additional loss of Americans was one of these events. A follow-up to that was the discovery of a German communication to the Mexican government called the Zimmerman Note. It appeared that the note was asking the Mexican government to support them in the event that war evolved with the United States. Intercepted ironically by the press the Zimmerman note’s release by the press did not set well with a large portion of the American public. With a few other incidents such as this and the effect the war was having on the American economy, the American government including the President moved toward a declaration of war against the Axis nations. The Axis in World War I included only Germany, Austria, Hungary and Turkey with particular emphasis placed on the German Empire.
The tone from most American pulpits while guarded in favor of peace also preached patriotism and the American flag was displayed prominently in sanctuaries across the country. To balance the obvious patriotism many churches also displayed the Christian flag as well. That had not often been the case before this time.
Below read the accepted universal pledge to the Christian flag and a brief history as reported at the Anchor Flag website.
The Christian flag is the only free flag in the world. It is different from every other flag, religious or secular, ancient or modern. It is uncontrolled, independent, and universal. Unlike all national flags and all denominational flags of various churches, it has no earthly bonds or allegiances. Christ and Christ alone is its Master. Without limitation, it exists for all the world's people regardless of sex, race, national boundary, economic condition, affluence, or poverty, politics, slavery or freedom. It cannot be restricted by any nation or denomination. This unique, universal quality makes it like the air we breathe, belonging to all and yet owned by none. For those who want it, wherever and whenever, it is freely theirs.
The Christian flag is one of the oldest unchanged flags in the world. It was conceived at Brighton Chapel, Coney Island, New York, Sunday, September 26, 1897, and was presented in its present form the following Sunday by its originator. Call it chance, or providence, serendipity, or the plan of God, on that day, the Christian flag was born.
The white on the flag represents purity and peace. The blue stands for faithfulness, truth, and sincerity. Red, of course, is the color of sacrifice, in this case calling to mind the blood shed by Christ on Calvary, represented by the cross.
The first pledge to the Christian flag was written by Methodist pastor Lynn Harold Hough in 1908.
"I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands. One brotherhood, uniting all mankind, in service and love."
Years before the United States entered the conflict, primarily fought in Europe, many churches in the United States and elsewhere on the face of this globe wished their countries to follow a policy of isolation and pacifism toward the growing clouds of war in Europe. In the pulpits of America, Methodist churches included, pastors railed against involvement in European conflicts. Those conflicts were not ours nor were interpretations of Biblical thought supportive of war. Few people at that time were interpreting any forthcoming war to be a “just war”, a theology that would in time be developed, eventually justifying American entrance into wars to be fought later in the 20th century.
In May 1915, the sinking of the Lusitania by way of a submarine’s torpedo began to influence ideologies relative to the closeness of Europe. Over 125 American lives were lost on an early morning off the coast of Ireland. The Lusitania was a British passenger liner and the submarine represented the German government. Both were already declared at war with each other. The German government had placed large warnings of danger on the dock in New York for those who would be boarding Lusitania, yet hundreds did not heed the warning. The American government led by Woodrow Wilson against the action of the German government issued protests. In due time, the German government apologized and America did not go to war. Even in 1916 when Woodrow Wilson was up for reelection, he campaigned with the motto, “He kept us out of war”. Mr. Wilson won a second term due to the fact that the support for pacifism still ran stronger than those who represented a more hawkish philosophy. Other events did take place that the media was quick to publicize; the sinking of the Sussex via submarine in 1916 with the additional loss of Americans was one of these events. A follow-up to that was the discovery of a German communication to the Mexican government called the Zimmerman Note. It appeared that the note was asking the Mexican government to support them in the event that war evolved with the United States. Intercepted ironically by the press the Zimmerman note’s release by the press did not set well with a large portion of the American public. With a few other incidents such as this and the effect the war was having on the American economy, the American government including the President moved toward a declaration of war against the Axis nations. The Axis in World War I included only Germany, Austria, Hungary and Turkey with particular emphasis placed on the German Empire.
The tone from most American pulpits while guarded in favor of peace also preached patriotism and the American flag was displayed prominently in sanctuaries across the country. To balance the obvious patriotism many churches also displayed the Christian flag as well. That had not often been the case before this time.
Below read the accepted universal pledge to the Christian flag and a brief history as reported at the Anchor Flag website.
The Christian flag is the only free flag in the world. It is different from every other flag, religious or secular, ancient or modern. It is uncontrolled, independent, and universal. Unlike all national flags and all denominational flags of various churches, it has no earthly bonds or allegiances. Christ and Christ alone is its Master. Without limitation, it exists for all the world's people regardless of sex, race, national boundary, economic condition, affluence, or poverty, politics, slavery or freedom. It cannot be restricted by any nation or denomination. This unique, universal quality makes it like the air we breathe, belonging to all and yet owned by none. For those who want it, wherever and whenever, it is freely theirs.
The Christian flag is one of the oldest unchanged flags in the world. It was conceived at Brighton Chapel, Coney Island, New York, Sunday, September 26, 1897, and was presented in its present form the following Sunday by its originator. Call it chance, or providence, serendipity, or the plan of God, on that day, the Christian flag was born.
The white on the flag represents purity and peace. The blue stands for faithfulness, truth, and sincerity. Red, of course, is the color of sacrifice, in this case calling to mind the blood shed by Christ on Calvary, represented by the cross.
The first pledge to the Christian flag was written by Methodist pastor Lynn Harold Hough in 1908.
"I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands. One brotherhood, uniting all mankind, in service and love."
posted by Arthur Tordoff | 5:52 PM
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