24. Allegiance Or Devotion? The Loyalty We Inherited

We’re taught loyalty long before we understand what it really means—at school, in church, in politics, and inside our families. But what happens when allegiance to systems begins to replace devotion to deeper values?In the first episode of our Allegiance series, Angela and Deanna explore the difference between allegiance and devotion—between the loyalty we inherit and the commitments we consciously choose. Together they unpack how belonging, fear, and power shape our loyalties and invite us to begin asking more honest questions about what we defend, why we defend it, and whether it still aligns with our conscience.Timestamps00:00 – Why we learn loyalty before we understand it03:30 – Allegiance vs. devotion: defining the difference06:00 – The surprising history of the Pledge of Allegiance09:00 – What Christian nationalism actually means13:30 – The Sermon on the Mount vs. loyalty culture21:50 – Fear, belonging, and the systems we defendShow Music: Just Like Me by, ThruLineThe Morning Share Podcast is edited and produced by Angela Boeckman and Deanna West.SocialsWebsite: themorningshare.comInstagram: @themorningsharepodSubstack: themorningshare.substack.comResources MentionedJesus and John Wayne, by Kristin Kobes Du MezWhat Christian Nationalism is ACTUALLY About, by Skye Jethani