Patriotism

One might ask an Israeli why they would gladly fight and die for Israel...

Patriotism is hard to define.

You either have it or you don't...

For me...

I sincerely believe that God allowed this union called The United States of America to be birthed as a bastion of Freedom to Worship God...

And, while, as a nation, are hands are not spotless, we have stood on principle time and time again.

When God allows you to be born into such a nation as ours, even with all its warts, you tend to be grateful. And, you tend to cherish and want to protect 'her' from all hostilities.

God and Country, in that order, is not a mere phrase to a Patriot...

Patrick henry was a Preacher. He said:

I believe that the sentiment Patrick Henry espoused rings true in every True Patriot.

And, as Christians we should know just how precious that Liberty is. And, what it cost God to bring it to us...

Mike Sr.

 

You're from Canada. There really isn't anything to be patriotic about, except for the national past-time of bashing America...so, I see why you don't understand.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Gekko, please ignore the foolish statement from Arkansas; everyone here in the U.S. doesn't share his twisted views about our neighbors to the North.

 

He's right. Most Democrats are only patriotic when it makes a good campaign slogan.

Joseph Botwinick

 

1: No idea
2: I'm not
3: See 2

I don't buy it a bit.

A year or two ago I researched renouncing Aussie citizenship on the net. It cost $240 or so (I don't like giving them 240¢), don't get the money back if they don't approve the application, and thanks to some U.N. convention have to be citizen of another country anyway (I would argue I'm a citizen of somewhere else (Philippians 3:20), but I doubt government would buy it )


I had a great list of cynical patriotism quotes, but no idea where it is so will just go with this one: "Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it."

 

We are one species on a world that is only different at all from country to country, culture to culture, because we have made it so. While I appreciate and love the benefits of living in a civilized western society, I am not jingoistic about the U.S. As a matter of fact, I am outright dismayed by what our leaders have done in my name.

Still I don't think it is beyond repair yet. Getting there, but not there yet.

The concept that we are all one is vividly and eloquently stated by the late Dr. Carl Sagan. I think I have posted this before, but it bears a rerun in this discussion. It was his reflection on seeing the earth as a tiny pixel, a pale blue dot, in a 1990 photo taken from Voyager 1 as it was 4-billion miles from home. To me, these are words we would be wise to reflect upon:

 

Us against the world, rather than us as part of the world? I don't know, makes us feel special, I guess.

 

You might be able to. There's a man I know in Fairbanks who on his paperwork for his house (including his mortgage) has the owner listed as "God".

 

I believe in being a good citizen of one's country...I believe that God expects that of us...as long as our loyalty isn't contradicting the standards God has set for us. The tough part is determining when one's country's values, requirements, policies, etc., contradicts our faith. Some instances are clear cut...others less so. Much of what we argue about here falls into some of those "less clear" categories. (Though there are some to which everything is crystal clear ).

Patriotism should never supercede allegiance to God.

Why not express your thoughts on patriotism at the beginning of the thread...why wait?

 

Do you think people can't be a good citizens unless they're super patriots? Besides obeying the laws, what more do you think God expects from us re patriotism and, more interestingly, why?

Perhaps gekko wanted to know what we think about the subject before the thread descends to bashing him about why he's so wrong.

 

Daisy, to me, "patriotism" is less about flag-waving and more about being one who fulfills civic duties and does his/her best to be informed...to me, patriotism involves the "small stuff" such as researching who you vote for, voting when there's an election, involving yourself in civic stuff such as neighborhood cleanups, obeying traffic laws, not weaseling out of jury duty, etc. As you see, some of what I listed was obeying laws...other parts were responsible citizenship.

And I guess I understand wanting to "hold off" posting one's views before having to "run the gauntlet."

 

Pete and rbell make some interesting points IMO: to what extent is patriotism compatible with being a Christian (for example, consider the situation where your country is at war with another whose population is largely Christian)? And when does patriotism cross the line into the more unpleasant nationalism? We've had to face both issues in Europe in the last 100 years; I'm not sure we did so well on either...

 

I like your definition.

I've known too many of the jingoistic kind, I guess, not to be suspicious of the word.

 

I hope he makes the payments or they'll foreclose on God, and wouldn't that be embarassing.

 

The second first and foremost. As someone quoted on the previous page, "our politeuma(citizenship) is in Heaven" (Phil 3:20).

 

A patriot should accept blame for his country's errors. How many of our dozens of wars since WW2 meet the standard for a just war? This Bush war? I don't think so.

 

How many of the wars waged in the Old testament would be considered just wars by your standards?

Is there even anything such thing as a "Just War"?

Most wars are wars of neccesity...

Nothing just about being foeced to kill other humans to protect your country or loved ones...

God first then country...

 

Spiritual Mad Man's April 30 post included part of a well known speech by Patrick Henry.

Some folks don't know that Henry's "Give Me Liberty...." speech was delivered in a church building.

Yes, I'm a patriot for my country, even in spite of the fact that I may not approve of everything my country has done in the past or may do in the future....or is doing right now (e.g., abortion).

I spent over 20 years serving my country in the military defending the rights of people to do things that I may heartily disapprove (e.g., that band of so-called Baptist folks that demonstrate at the funerals of my fallen comrades).

My country isn't perfect, but I'll take it over any other one that we have today. Your spouse/family probably isn't perfect either, but would you trade them for another?

And, for those of you who may hale from other countries, I hope that you are patriotic towards your country too.

'Nuf said.