“I Pledge Allegiance to The Earth”

Yesterday the New York Times had a lengthy, fawning obituary of William Sloane Coffin. Coffin was an historic figure who had his share of shining moments (1961 Freedom Rider) and controversial anti-war tactics (1967 draft dodging demonstrations). While he was far too much of an establishment anti-establishmentarian for my taste, give him credit for being a minister who took seriously his role as a prophetic moral figure. To underscore his impact, can you identify a single chaplain of any university who was (or is) a truly national figure other than William Sloane Coffin? Perhaps one or two others come to mind, but that’s about it.

But regardless of one’s political persuasion, who seriously would want this over-the-top pledge of allegiance to be the closing epitaph in his obituary: “Let us love our country, but pledge allegiance to the earth and to the flora and fauna and human life that it supports — one planet indivisible, with clean air, soil and water; with liberty, justice and peace for all.” Excuse me?