American patriotism is plummeting, and it makes no sense

Why should Christians be patriotic for an Empire which deliberately undermines our principles and exports morality which is contrary to the faith? This is a good thing at least as far as Christians are concerned

It certainly beings an opportunity for each of us to ask ourselves, 'How patriotic am I? and Why?"

Michie said:

It’s no news flash that younger Americans today generally tend to be less patriotic than previous generations. But the “patriotism gap” is growing rapidly, and perhaps most concerning is the fact that the gap is most drastic among younger Americans.

Writing for HotAir.com, Ed Morrissey notes: “Pride in America has sunk to its lowest standing ever, mainly led by a collapse among Democrats.”

Indeed, Gallup polls write: “A record-low 58% of U.S. adults say they are ‘extremely’ (41%) or ‘very’ (17%) proud to be an American, down nine percentage points from last year and five points below the prior low from 2020.” Gallup notes that most of the decline is in the “very proud” category.

Ben Shapiro asks if we’re seeing “the end of patriotism?” He opens his recent column with this observation: “America has a major problem: nearly half of Americans — 42% — don't believe in America.”

Continued below.

American patriotism is plummeting, and it makes no sense

How do we account for this drop in patriotism

www.christianpost.com

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The USA seems kinda over. Hard to get patriotic when it’s collapsing of it’s own apparent volition.

Michie said:

It’s no news flash that younger Americans today generally tend to be less patriotic than previous generations. But the “patriotism gap” is growing rapidly, and perhaps most concerning is the fact that the gap is most drastic among younger Americans.

Writing for HotAir.com, Ed Morrissey notes: “Pride in America has sunk to its lowest standing ever, mainly led by a collapse among Democrats.”

Indeed, Gallup polls write: “A record-low 58% of U.S. adults say they are ‘extremely’ (41%) or ‘very’ (17%) proud to be an American, down nine percentage points from last year and five points below the prior low from 2020.” Gallup notes that most of the decline is in the “very proud” category.

Ben Shapiro asks if we’re seeing “the end of patriotism?” He opens his recent column with this observation: “America has a major problem: nearly half of Americans — 42% — don't believe in America.”

Continued below.

American patriotism is plummeting, and it makes no sense

How do we account for this drop in patriotism

www.christianpost.com

Click to expand...

What makes people be more patriotic than being attacked by a foreign country?

What kills it more than long wars with no decisive winner or leaders that show no real patriotism but put themselves over the Constitution.

American patriotism is complicated, and I think we do well to acknowledge that complexity as we teach our children.

During my teenage years, the US celebrated its bicentennial. It was a great and glorious party, flags and fireworks and red-white-and-blue everywhere. I enjoyed it tremendously.

Also during my teenage years, I realized that drafting young men and compelling them to go kill Vietnamese people was a morally questionable thing to do, and if "patriotism" meant killing strangers, then I'd best not label myself patriotic.

Both things were true of me, then and now. This country is an amazing political experiment, based not on shared ethnicity but on a shared idea of a democratic system of government that (mostly) protects our individual rights and freedoms, and carefully balances our selfish impulses so that most of the time we get really good stuff done. AND: This country has done some bad things along the way, partly because it's so very hard to keep all those selfish impulses in check all the time, and partly because we just aren't infinitely wise.

As we teach our children, I think we need to tell them the complicated truth. Maybe simple stories will do for the tiniest children. But as they mature into their tweens and teens and adulthood, talk about how people are complicated and nations are complicated. Thomas Jefferson, for example, was a wise and insightful statesman, and he was a slaveowner, and he was an excellent writer, and he constructed the somewhat dubious Jefferson Bible, and he founded a major university, all of that. Similarly with our other founders and heroes, and similarly with our country.

The best sense of patriotism is to step up and take responsibility for making this country the best that we can make it. When we mess up, we acknowledge it and try to fix it. And when we do good things -- as we often do -- we cheer and sing our songs and wave our flags. That's the sense in which I can be patriotic, and the sense in which I can encourage my children to be patriotic.

PloverWing said:

American patriotism is complicated, and I think we do well to acknowledge that complexity as we teach our children.

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That is true for almost everything. But we always simplify. Everything is black and white.

PloverWing said:

Also during my teenage years, I realized that drafting young men and compelling them to go kill Vietnamese people was a morally questionable thing to do, and if "patriotism" meant killing strangers, then I'd best not label myself patriotic.

Both things were true of me, then and now. This country is an amazing political experiment, based not on shared ethnicity but on a shared idea of a democratic system of government that (mostly) protects our individual rights and freedoms, and carefully balances our selfish impulses so that most of the time we get really good stuff done. AND: This country has done some bad things along the way, partly because it's so very hard to keep all those selfish impulses in check all the time, and partly because we just aren't infinitely wise.

As we teach our children, I think we need to tell them the complicated truth. Maybe simple stories will do for the tiniest children. But as they mature into their tweens and teens and adulthood, talk about how people are complicated and nations are complicated. Thomas Jefferson, for example, was a wise and insightful statesman, and he was a slaveowner, and he was an excellent writer, and he constructed the somewhat dubious Jefferson Bible, and he founded a major university, all of that. Similarly with our other founders and heroes, and similarly with our country.

The best sense of patriotism is to step up and take responsibility for making this country the best that we can make it. When we mess up, we acknowledge it and try to fix it. And when we do good things -- as we often do -- we cheer and sing our songs and wave our flags. That's the sense in which I can be patriotic, and the sense in which I can encourage my children to be patriotic.

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My father served in the navy in World War II. WE, the United States of America, were something to be proud of in spite of controversial decisions (like two nuclear bomb on civilian populations). Revolting against English rule was amazing. Creating and implementing this new form of government, Amazing! We can still be proud of our roots in spite of slavery. In spite of exploiting the environment and the poor. We can be proud that we used to be moral leaders and still have that possibility.

We are so divided now that at any time half the country seems to be patriotic and the other half dissatisfied with the people in authority and no longer willing to support them. The the pendulum swings and the reverse is in place.

We had a chance after 9/11. That brought us together. But it did not last long. ow even catastrophes of nature become political weapons. We have lost solidarity and with that went healthy patriotism. "Patriotism" now is just feeling passionate about my own political view and ready to get violent about IT. Not the goo of the country. That would take patient working together, listeinng to each other, and collaboration.

There is not a lot to be proud of right now. I didn't put my flag out this July 4th. Flag waving just didn't seem appropriate to the times.

PloverWing said:

American patriotism is complicated, and I think we do well to acknowledge that complexity as we teach our children.

During my teenage years, the US celebrated its bicentennial. It was a great and glorious party, flags and fireworks and red-white-and-blue everywhere. I enjoyed it tremendously.

Also during my teenage years, I realized that drafting young men and compelling them to go kill Vietnamese people was a morally questionable thing to do, and if "patriotism" meant killing strangers, then I'd best not label myself patriotic.

Both things were true of me, then and now. This country is an amazing political experiment, based not on shared ethnicity but on a shared idea of a democratic system of government that (mostly) protects our individual rights and freedoms, and carefully balances our selfish impulses so that most of the time we get really good stuff done. AND: This country has done some bad things along the way, partly because it's so very hard to keep all those selfish impulses in check all the time, and partly because we just aren't infinitely wise.

As we teach our children, I think we need to tell them the complicated truth. Maybe simple stories will do for the tiniest children. But as they mature into their tweens and teens and adulthood, talk about how people are complicated and nations are complicated. Thomas Jefferson, for example, was a wise and insightful statesman, and he was a slaveowner, and he was an excellent writer, and he constructed the somewhat dubious Jefferson Bible, and he founded a major university, all of that. Similarly with our other founders and heroes, and similarly with our country.

The best sense of patriotism is to step up and take responsibility for making this country the best that we can make it.

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I agree with what you said " Maybe simple stories will do for the tiniest children." When our children are young, teach the best aspects for a sense of the American constitution as an ideal sought for America.
I remember when thanksgiving time came, hearing about the pilgrims and American Indians sharing meals.
Acknowledgment of falling short, as falling short of the American ideal.
I also agree with the more complicated stuff for older students.

When we teach slavery etc, it should be taught as a subject in itself within world history. Slavery has existed in most all peoples. Even the servitude of people, among their own ethnicity.
Slavery in America should not be taught in a manner, that slavery was a phenomenon of unique to America. After all many ethnicity coming to America, sought freedom from lesser ideals than the nations of peoples they came from.
Forms of It can be found in all cultures within, history. In agreement with the truth you have spoken here "But as they mature into their tweens and teens and adulthood, talk about how people are complicated and nations are complicated."
This helps to focus on the constitution as our ideal as a country, and can offer a common respect for that. Our collective falling short of the value and goodness the constitution as what we aspire to, it does not diminish that ideal, but always strives to it.

PloverWing said:

When we mess up, we acknowledge it and try to fix it. And when we do good things -- as we often do -- we cheer and sing our songs and wave our flags. That's the sense in which I can be patriotic, and the sense in which I can encourage my children to be patriotic.

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I can be patriotic knowing what our founding fathers looked to for an ideal as a country.