Should Christians oppose patriotism?

[mindlight]

Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy once said, “Patriotism in its simplest, clearest and most indubitable signification is nothing else but a means of obtaining for the rulers their ambitions and covetous desires, and for the ruled the abdication of human dignity, reason, conscience, and a slavish enthrallment to those in power.” His quote is a bit grim and cynical, but he makes an important point.

Patriotism is nothing short of government worship. Arguably, patriotic feelings are a form of idolatry which replaces God with a nation. If someone recites the Pledge of Allegiance or otherwise expresses devotion to a flag, country, or national emblem, he is committing idolatry, something which the Bible forbids in Leviticus 26:1: “Do not make idols or set up an image or sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the LORD your God.”

We Christians should be worshipping God, not a flag or nation. For this reason, do you think Christians should be opposed to patriotism? If you think patriotism is harmless, explain why it doesn't constitute idolatry.

Doctrine of two kingdoms, give to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is Gods. We are citizens of two kingdoms and have duties to both. The higher kingdom over rules the lower but since the powers in the lower kingdom would not have their powers unless God had granted them they also must be respected.

Christians are told to pay taxes. Well taxes fund the nation state.

Re Bonhoeffer, I have no problem with him standing up to Hitler but trying to assassinate him was not a Christian act. Revolution is rarely Christian except by Gods direct command e.g. Exodus or the overthrow of foreign oppressors that characterised much of Judges.

 

[Ron Gurley]

God has created and especially blessed the country of the USA. Its founding fathers worshipped God and from Biblical principles, fashioned a "light to the world". To give honor to the USA is to give honor to God.

Genesis 12:3
And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

Patriotic symbols and actions are not worship. They show respect and gratitude for the blood and bullets used to protect the USA's God-given rights.

The definition of "unalienable rights", is: those rights that cannot be surrendered, sold or transferred to someone else - the government, for example, or another person. Some people refer to these as natural or God-given rights (life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness).

The Declaration of Independence proclaims as a self-evident truth the First Principle that “all men are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”.