Faith column: We lack unity in the U.S., but God could help heal us
One of the current issues facing everyone involved in athletics today is the issue of kneeling while our national anthem is being played before games. Proponents claim that this is a gesture of solidarity in protest against racial injustice in our culture. The pressure is so intense that those who do not kneel could be branded as “racists.”
I’m not quite sure why the national anthem was chosen as the signal for everyone to take a knee. I always considered our national anthem to be the one hymn that united us as citizens, regardless of our differences. The custom of playing the national anthem before games seems to have originated during and after wars that were fought to preserve our union. The singing of “God Bless America” during the 7th-inning stretch at baseball games took root in New York City after our nation was attacked on 9/11. Regardless of the differences in our faiths, religions, genders and ethnic origins, we used to be able to unite around a common hymn.
As one who has performed the national anthem at public events, I have wondered whether we should dispense with the playing and singing of our national song until we are able to come back together as a national family of citizens. The visible sign of protest during the anthem only serves to drive us further apart, as those who served our country to preserve freedom find great umbrage and insult at watching privileged athletes use the anthem as their protest tool.
As I was considering the pressure many people might feel to kneel, I couldn’t help but reflect back on a familiar account from the book of Daniel, where three young Hebrew leaders faced King Nebuchadnezzar’s demand for them to bow before a gold statue representing the cause of Babylon, as a sign of loyalty and solidarity. Behind the scenes of government, there was tremendous jealousy and hatred toward these emigrants from Israel because of their rapid promotion in the kingdom. Their enemies decided to use these Hebrews’ core beliefs as the wedge between these leaders and the king they served with excellence.
Clever laws were enacted that appealed to the narcissism of the king and exposed the exclusiveness of the Hebrew faith. Nebuchadnezzar ordered that all of his government officials should gather on the plain of Dura for a loyalty rally. When the national anthem of Babylon was played, everyone was required to bow and worship the image constructed there. Those who did not bow would immediately be thrown into a “fiery furnace” strategically placed on the grounds.
When the anthem of Babylon was majestically played, everyone bowed except three Hebrews: Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego. Their core belief would not allow them to bow to anything or anyone but God. They were not trying to be disloyal or defiant, but they would be resolute in the face of intolerance and conformity. Even the fiery furnace would not destroy who they were. They could not be bullied into betraying themselves.
Perhaps we should suspend any pretense of national unity until we allow God to truly heal our moral wounds. Then we can be reconciled both to God and our fellow man. Then we can sing together again.