A reader writes:
Will Christianists ever stop violating his teachings?
Well, nothing’s slowed ’em down yet. Here’s my pet peeve: Christianists arguing about the inclusion of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Jesus made it pretty plain that they are not to take an oath at all, much less one sworn in the name of God (which "under God" at least implies). In fact, in his discussion of the subject, Jesus counsels against taking an oath in the name of heaven, earth or Jerusalem, but doesn’t even mention taking an oath directly in the name of God. I would guess that’s for the simple reason that he couldn’t even imagine such a thing.
I know all the hair-splitting arguments used to excuse Christians from this proscription on oath-taking, but Jesus’ words seems pretty plain on this one:
"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil."
Even if we make room for the necessary "civil" oaths used in courtrooms and other legal matters, it’s plain Jesus was recommending that his followers dispense with any voluntary, self-initiated oath-taking. So why the constant agitation over the Pledge? Answer: It’s not really Jesus that matters.
It isn’t, is it?
The Dish 