As we near the Fourth of July here in the States, I thought it fitting to discuss patriotism. I actually wrote these thoughts a while back in an email, and nothing has really changed in terms of how I feel, so I decided to post on it.
What sparked this was an email L had sent me, asking me what I thought of patriotism, in particular the fact that people from the U.S. tend to enjoy sticking the American flag on everything from bumper stickers to coffee mugs to beach towels, when few other countries do the same with their own flag. As I said this was written as an email awhile ago, so forgive me if the flow of thoughts doesn't always make sense.
First of all, it's hard to define what is meant by patriotism--it is usually defined as being completely devoted and loyal to one's country. American patriotism seems to be inexplicably tied to democracy, which I suppose makes sense, considering we are a democratic country. We are told to be proud of our country, be proud of our form of government--though it is quite obviously imperfect, but we are to behold it like we would an imperfect child, mistakes and all--and to be unashamed to the point where it is generally believed that bringing democracy to another country, any other country, will undoubtedly resolve conflict. What Americans most commonly fail to remember is that each country has its own past. I am not trying to appear enlightened here, for I think that people from every place tend to be egocentric, like young children who do not see outside themselves. It is a result of a fallen world--people fail to look outside their own perspectives.
It's important to remember that each country has its own past, starting with our own. For instance, the U.S. was founded on principles of rebellion and those ideals played a large part in the decision of what type of government the new country would have. Our founders were adamantly against others deciding their future--some would say rightly so. As a result, it was decided that a democratic republic would be the best form for what was desired by the citizens of the U.S. at the time. Somehow, centuries later, we have decided that it is our responsibility to give the same options to everyone else. But it is necessary, at this point, to recognize that certain countries, specifically, have a very different foundation and history than our own. Before even beginning to suggest that those governments change, that history needs to be considered.
Let me be clear--I am not saying that those governments are any better--clearly there is something wrong with one human being deciding he has the authority over others for various reasons (ethnicity, gender, etc.) and then abusing that authority to grotesque measures--but is there any difference in a group of humans determining the course of millions of others simply because they are deemed most popular? I would probably be accused of not caring, of not being compassionate if I were to suggest such a thing--after all, the U.S. is only trying to help. And I do recognize the compassion that our country generally has toward some other countries, though when you walk down the street of a city in the U.S., or talk to someone who is vehemently patriotic, it is often sadly apparent that compassion is lacking on a less grand scale. In terms of our government, the constant change brought by democracy is not necessarily more stable or helpful.
I do suppose it is true that Americans tend to slap that flag on any and every thing, and many become defensive if one suggests that we are not doing the right thing at the moment. It is obvious to some that being blindly patriotic (meaning, one who doesn't question why he is patriotic, or thinking for himself) is ignorant, because God has graciously allowed some to see glimpses of the world as he does. So much more obnoxious it is then when someone claiming to be a Christian is blindly patriotic. And you'll often find, these types of people are the first to lack compassion for those outside our borders, when the very country they live in has many times in the past been compassionate to those very people (though obviously, I will note, we have also been completely selfish as a nation, as well).
One part of patriotism in America that I have always thought of is the song "God Bless America." First of all, the phrase simply seems like a command, and I have a problem with anyone telling God who or what he can bless. Furthermore, this phrase embodies the attitude in America that I hate the most--entitlement. The idea that the U.S. is somehow higher up in God's list, and thus we are more entitled to his blessings, is something I could speak endlessly on. But also, the phrase also seems to symbolizes the term "Christian Nation," a term which gets under my skin. If you define "Christian" as you ought (as in, one who has entered into the kingdom of God by way of a personal relationship with our savior, Jesus), it obviously cannot apply to a nation, because a nation in and of itself cannot be "a Christian," especially when there are 300 million people pulling in different directions, and many of those would be appalled at that descriptor. I believe that God views our nation no differently than any other, and holds no favoritism. And besides this, God is a personal God, not one who deals with his children through governments and nations. That's the beauty of it all.
Another song that is popular around this time of year is "Proud to be an American." The portion of this song that sticks out to me is the phrase "where at least I know I'm free." Again, this just does not sit well with me. We take the relative freedom God has graciously given us in this country and lord it over others, which is not something I think he'd want us to do. We should be using this freedom to glorify him, and to work to bring others into the kingdom.
But even more so, the phrase made me wonder, what does it mean to be free? What is freedom? According to the context of the song, and what we are told in our schools and lives, is that we are free to do as we want. From a biblical standpoint, is that really freedom? What are we knowing that we are free from? Authority? And our Christian brothers and sisters tell us to be grateful that we are free to meet without persecution or fear of dying, but if we are only grateful to not have death as imminent as others may find it, are we not still sinfully holding onto a fear of death and loss of material possessions? I see this as what is most unsettling about Christian American patriotism:
If our identity is in Christ, are we not free no matter where we are? It seems that those who follow Christ in the supposed "persecuted" and "oppressive" countries have far more freedom than I do. Freedom from fear, from hypocrisy, from many things. They seem to have a much easier time placing their identity in Christ than I do here in the U.S., with perhaps too much freedom to do what I want.
However, it is entirely true that God has given us many things in the U.S. that we should be grateful for. We will most likely, Lord willing, live longer, without fear of being tortured. We have been able to see children and grandchildren grow. We can sit in a cafe and discuss theology at any moment. I am proud of this country, for doing what it has done. It has pulled itself up by its proverbial bootstraps in a manner of 200 years and become one of the most powerful and influential nations in the world. It inspires all of us to not limit ourselves, or the possibilities--a good thing to remember, as a Christian, that through Christ, all things are possible. But we must not forget that no matter what country we happen to be born into, if we are called by God to be his child, our identity should not be found in that country where he put us--our identity, our loyalty, our allegiance, should be pledged above all to Christ.
As we celebrate the Fourth of July this year, I pray that we would all remember to be thankful to God for giving us life--no matter which country, town, house, family we were born into. I pray that we would remember to keep all people in our prayers (including leaders of our respective countries), that they might turn away from the world and toward God--as the apostle Paul reminds us:
1 Timothy 2:1-6
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
Blessings,
J
