Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb into the New Creation

by Michael J. Gorman

Official days of prayer National feasts/holy-days Martin Luther King Day (recognizing a rare prophetic component of American life and civil religion) Presidents Day Memorial Day (arguably, in principle if not practice, the chief feast because of its connections to freedom and sacrifice in sacred violence51) Independence Day/Fourth of July Veterans Day Thanksgiving State funerals Moments of silence Congressional chaplain Prayer at political and civic events Prayer around the flag pole National days of prayer, prayer breakfasts The pledge of allegiance, at school or other civic gatherings, to the flag as icon of a nation “under God” The national anthem at sporting events Swearing on the Bible Chaplains’ prayers before military combat missions Religious rituals made civil Pledge of allegiance in church Recognition of active military or veterans in church at national holidays Prayers for “those serving our country” or “the/our troops” in church52 Sermons and children’s sermons on patriotic themes Use of patriotic music in worship Religious events on national holidays Religious gatherings in times of national crisis Sacred language War as “mission”