Full Question
Why is it acceptable for Catholics to say the Pledge of Allegiance? A Protestant friend has a problem with putting his hand on his heart and making an oath to a flag. Why does the Church say it’s acceptable to be a patriot as well as Christian?
Answer
Being a patriot is not in opposition to being a Christian. We don’t worship the country we love anymore than we worship the people we love. Because God comes first it doesn’t follow that no one or nothing can came second and third. Our Lord said to “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25).