I haven't said the pledge for a number of years now. I often observe that I find it funny that we have to play the national anthem at every single sporting event ever in this country - as if we might have forgetten where we were. I don't understand what the flag has to do with my kid's field hockey match with the team from a half hour away in the same state. It's not an international match.

I think much of this has to do with the idea that we have many folks who claim to be Christians but are really believers in Americanism. It has all the markings of a religion. It uses Christianity often. It's got an origin story, mythic heroes, sacred scripture (the constitution, Declaration, etc - read as often as the faithful in Christianity read the Bible), an offering, a way of salvation, high holy priests (politicians), sacraments (like the flag), etc.