Opinion: Perspectives from readers

From the beginning, I opposed Goshen (Ind.) College’s decision to play the national anthem before select sporting events. Playing the anthem compromises Goshen’s institutional values of compassionate peacemaking and global citizenship. But I’m beginning to see how the national anthem discernment process has benefited me, the college and the wider community.

Before discussions about the national anthem began, I didn’t think too much about why I don’t sing the anthem or put my hand over my heart— movements that skirt too close to devotion (though I do remove my hat and stand).

Although I said the pledge of allegiance every morning while in public elementary school, somewhere along the way, I stopped; I also stopped singing the national anthem.

Thanks to Goshen College, I’ve now discerned why I don’t pledge allegiance to the flag or sing the national anthem. I’ve engaged in more meaningful conversations—especially with people who think differently—on one’s allegiances than I ever did before. And I can more meaningfully articulate the reasons behind why it’s so important for me to pledge allegiance to God over country.

Ultimately, the national anthem discernment process has taught me three lessons: how to engage in civil dialogue, celebrate our differences and demonstrate biblical hospitality.

Even though I’m still fervently opposed to showing allegiance to an earthly nation over the reign of God (and I believe the national anthem exemplifies this), I acknowledge that not everyone interprets the national anthem as I do. In fact, such interpretive differences allow the body of Christ to come alive.

Who am I, because of my beliefs, to deny someone else the same freedom I experience—to articulate their interpretation of what it means to be patriotic Christians?
Goshen president James E. Brenneman suggests that three questions have emerged as we’ve engaged in civil dialogue:

1. How should faithful Christians order their allegiances?

2. How do we celebrate the freedoms and opportunities of this country and still challenge injustices that also exist in our midst?

3. And how does a church college retain its historic peace heritage while welcoming an increasingly diverse student body from other traditions?

To the third question, Goshen College is made up of 55 percent Mennonites (and actively seeks people who aren’t Mennonite). At the most basic level, playing the national anthem is an act of hospitality for Goshen.

I trust Brenneman when he says he is “committed to retaining the best of what it means to be a Mennonite college while opening the doors wider to all who share
our core values.” And I will hold him and the entire community to that assertion.

So while I believe the anthem represents being more than patriotic to this country, I’ve learned through civil dialogue why it is an essential part of patriotism for many people (of faith or not).

As I’ve learned these differences, I’m excited to celebrate them. I wasn’t in Goshen on March 23 as the anthem was played—followed by the peace prayer of St. Francis of Assisi—but I did watch a video of it. The anthem isn’t for me, even without lyrics. But St. Francis’ prayer is for me.

I thank God for these differences, because I believe that at the heart of peacemaking is the biblical concept of shalom—God’s peace—which includes active listening, respect and celebration.

Finally, the question of hospitality. According to Jessica Rose, associated editor of In Communion, a quarterly journal from Orthodox Christians, there are three definitions for biblical hospitality, including “hospitality that is built into our shared humanity, which welcomes the stranger for no other reason than this is what is required.”

One of my favorite examples of such hospitality comes from Genesis 18, where the LORD appears to Abraham and Sarah. Three angels appear out of nowhere. Abraham and Sarah scramble to prepare food. The angels are prepared to tell their secret —that Sarah will bear a son.

Imagine this: Three angels sit down at a table, but a fourth place is empty. They’re making room for me, for you. The hospitality of Abraham and Sarah touches the best of what it means to show hospitality.

So while I continue to oppose playing the national anthem, I affirm president Brenneman’s perspective that “the anthem offers a welcoming gesture to many visiting our athletic events, rather than an immediate barrier to further opportunities for getting to know one another.”

I look forward to ongoing dialogue as I continue to make peace with the national anthem.

Sheldon C. Good is an intern for Sojourners in Washington, D.C.