October 9, 2007
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Is America "worth dying for?"
...thinking a bit about patriotism tonight. Here are some interesting links:
http://fallbackbelmont.blogspot.com/2007/10/easy-to-be-hard-easy-to-be-cold.html - Real versus imaginary patriotism...
http://fallbackbelmont.blogspot.com/2007/10/my-country-tis-of-me.html - 'designer love' and other things...
http://www.pajamasmedia.com/2007/10/pride_and_shame.php - 'America' - a real culture, or only an abstract ideal?
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/americas-identity-crisis/ - is nationalism wrong?
http://pajamasmedia.com/2007/10/obama_will_no_longer_wear_amer.php - why Barack Obama says he will no longer wear an American flag lapel pin. What would you think of a husband who said he would no longer wear his wedding ring because it was "only a substitute for true loyalty and love"??
and finally, http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=27427_UK_Debate-_We_Should_Not_Be_Reluctant_to_Assert_the_Superiority_of_Western_Values&only - a debate on the proposition "We should not be reluctant to assert the superiority of western values." What do you think?
My own situation - I grew up nominally/untestedly patriotic, then went through four years at college of extreme discomfort at the apparently unquestioning 'God-and-country patriotism' mentality being promulgated, then began to think 'deeper' and ponder more whether there might actually be a place for true patriotism. I like the twofold contrast given by the top two links above: patriotism might be a commitment to sacrificial loyalty to one's homeland/country (the older conception), or it might be a commitment to 'ideal' behavior, as in, 'I will support whichever country or leader operates with the best morality/legitimacy at the moment' (the newer conception). But since all men and all countries without exception are deeply flawed and sinful (and since many actions of countries are so vast as to be hard to analyze - e.g. were the Americans in the World Trade Center "little Eichmanns" as Ward Churchill claimed?), the latter definition of patriotism usually seems to simplify down to treason: aiding the enemy.
Yet what to do when one's country pursues actions and policies which seem very wrong, and all the (typical) legal ways to change the country's course seem ineffective? E.g. Vietnam...? Dietrich Bonhoeffer? Peter and John?
Is America actually worth dying for? If so, how does that fit with our higher allegiance to the Kingdom of God (which is unquestionably worth dying for)... ?
Comments (6)
Patriotism is overused in political campaigns; politicians wear the “flag pin” because they feel they have to, not because it really means something to them. Obama is not denying the symbolism behind the American flag, he’s not burning the flag, he’s just chooses to not wear it on his lapel. This is why not wearing a lapel flag shouldn’t be compared to not wearing a wedding ring. The lapel is not a symbol of ”true loyalty and love” the flag is, however in marriage the ring is the symbol of “true loyalty and love”.
This really isn’t as big a deal as people are making it out to be. Do you love your country? Do you wear a pin? Do you have a flag bumper sticker? I know I love America, but I don’t wear a pin. I don’t have a bumper sticker on my car. I don’t even fly a flag in front of my house. Yet, that doesn’t mean I don’t feel true loyalty and love for my homeland.
I must admit this is hard at times. Your questions and thoughts are valid. How does one love and support a country when those in charge have different beliefs? I really feel we need to recognize the sovereignty of God; we need to realize that He placed our leaders (who ever he/she is) in power. He chooses them; therefore we need to respect their leadership and trust our Lord. Although this is challenging at times I’m thankful we live in a democratic country; a country where I have the right to vote.
p.s. How are you, still in Hershey? Still in grad school?
I have been thinking a lot about patriotism lately as I have done some reading about our founding fathers and the origins of our country. I find it interesting that English settlers who rebelled against England are thought of as patriots, but Southerners who fought an invading North are thought of as rebels.
I would define patriotism as the willingness to sacrifice in order to preserve the culture of ones family and friends to the geographical extent that that culture is consistent.
Nationalism is pride for ones country regardless of cultural diversity across a geographical region. Stephen Decatur's toast at Norfolk in 1816 is a great illustration: "Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right; BUT OUR COUNTRY, RIGHT OR WRONG." (caps by me)
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness!
It seems that we should pray that we might live grateful lives, day by day, here in our 'free America,' but ones that are also looking forward to our home in heaven where our true allegiance is. Home sick for heaven.....
I think its a subtle insight into the true feelings of the democratic (socialist) candidates. Forget God, forget country, forget the flag, forget the founding fathers, we're here to bring a government that saves you from yourself and your country.
Ahem, excuse me. Your question about patriotism is a good one. Do I blindly follow the course of my country simply because it is my country? I hope not. But do I turn my back on my country because I disagree with some of her policies? No. If my country asks me to do something that is outside her parameters to ask and/or is contrary to what God commands, then yes, I have to choice but to follow my highest authority.
To a point, one has to respect the position of those in authority because leadership is necessary for organization and success in a mission. However, there must be a line that I will not cross. That line cannot be an arbitrary line that I draw when I am asked to do something difficult, but one that is based on right and wrong.
Therefore, I will still fight to defend my country because she remains a place where free expression remains (though that is eroding). It is still the home of the brave (they're harder to find, but still there) and the land of the free. And I still hold out hope that she can be saved as an example, not of democracy, but of what a country can be that is founded on principles ultimately found in the Bible. That and the evil we fight against is so blatant.
This post raises lots of good points and things to think about. When I tend to think of my patriotism for America, I tend to think of it in terms of its ideals and founding principles - mainly freedom in all aspects of life, and I think that's worth fighting for (idealogically at least, if not literally). Patriotism is an interesting concept though - here in America, if you don't support the troops, you're generally thought to be unpatriotic, whereas you can criticize the war all you want (and that's considered patriotic to many). In Taiwan though, patriotism takes on a whole new meaning - does patriotism mean you are loyal to China, or to the concept of a free and independant Taiwan? I think it's interesting though to think about the various forms of patriotism around the world.
jaypee303 is dead on that the evil we are fighting against is so hideous that we must be willing to lay our lives on the line to defeat it. The stakes are too high not too. I often look at my girls and wonder what the world will be like when they're grown up. I'll do whatever I can do to ensure their freedom and safety. If only the politician in D.C. felt the same way........
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