The latest Gallup polling shows that rates of patriotism in the United States are at an all time low. Why does that matter?
Ahead of America’s 250th anniversary celebration, Liberty argues why you should be patriotic—and what that actually means.
Included in this episode:
- What does patriotism actually mean?
- Can Christians be patriotic? Should they be?
- What about when I disapprove of my country or government?
The episode ends with a couple of challenges you can implement this weekend as you reflect on the nation’s history this Independence Day. Keep scrolling for links mentioned in the episode and a full blog post below.
More Resources:
American Pride Falls to 25-Year Record Low
https://news.gallup.com/poll/711938/american-pride-falls-year-record-low.aspx
Bible Verses Mentioned:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A20&version=ESV
Frederick Douglass on American Slavery:
https://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/american-slavery
Does God Have a Political Party? Interview With Justin Giboney
What Does It Mean to Be Patriotic?
A 2019 poll by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy asked 1,000 Americans to explain what patriotism means to them. The answers included some common themes, such as “Love of country and demonstrating respect for its symbols; The Constitution; Men and women who have served our country.” As the report put it:
Many of our traditional symbols and ideals of patriotism are embraced enthusiastically by liberals and conservatives, Democrats, Republicans and Independents, people of all colors, young and old alike.
But other answers revealed disagreement and misunderstanding about what patriotism means. Some even claimed that “patriotism” is an antiquated term with negative meaning. A 25-year-old woman from Pennsylvania argued that patriotism is “thinly veiled racism and over-zealous nationalism.”
Let’s look at the official definition.
Defining Patriotism
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines patriotism simply as “love for or devotion to one’s country.” It is not the same as nationalism, which is typically understood today to be more extreme or exclusive devotion. For instance, nationalists are more likely to believe in the superiority of their nation above all others, and have little or no regard for other nations.
For many people, hallmarks of patriotism include civic engagement, like exercising one’s constitutional rights, including informed voting and even peaceful protesting.
America is a large nation built on a foundation of smaller communities. If local families and communities aren’t healthy, the entire nation will suffer. So even though it may seem indirect, helping one’s local community to thrive — whether through volunteer work, support of local businesses, or involvement in local government — is an expression of patriotism for many.
Can Christians be patriotic?
The Bible teaches that when someone becomes a Christian, they are not only adopted into God’s family, but become members of his eternal kingdom. This kingdom (which exists in a spiritual sense now, but includes the eventual destination of Heaven) becomes our true home.
As Jesus told his followers, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Other verses in the New Testament remind us that “our citizenship is in heaven,” and that “here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.“
In Revelation, the final book of the Bible, we read that God’s kingdom is made up of “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.”
It’s apparent from these verses that our heavenly citizenship transcends earthly citizenships, allegiances, and prejudices. Moreover, both the Old and New Testaments emphasize that God must come first in our lives, with no other gods or idols placed before him in our hearts.
Does this mean that if Christians love their earthly country, they are rejecting their heavenly citizenship and even committing idolatry? Not necessarily.
In the book of Romans, Christians are instructed to honor governmental authorities, being faithful to obey laws (except those that contradict God’s commands) and pray for their leaders. This might sound easy for American Christians today, especially when their favorite political party or figure holds power. But early Christians were called to “be subject to governing authorities” even in the context of heavy persecution in ancient Rome — evidence that following this biblical imperative not optional.
The Bible also talks extensively about loving one’s neighbor, helping the poor, and seeking justice. If we love our country and its people, we’ll be more motivated to do these very things. And the more Christians invest in these activities, the better off their countries will be.
Of course, our love for people shouldn’t stop at our nation’s borders. The Bible teaches that all people are considered our neighbors. Our bond between fellow Christians — fellow members of God’s family — should be stronger even than national ties.
This is where patriotism can go wrong. Sometimes, people become so devoted to their own country that they become ambivalent or even hateful toward people of different nations and cultures. Another temptation for some people is to confuse or equate patriotism with Christianity. While healthy patriotism can naturally flow from a Christian worldview, love for country is not the same as love for God. As Christians, our love for and devotion to God should far outpace whatever affection we feel for our earthly home.
Caring about one’s country and pursuing its best interests in order to help one’s neighbors aligns well with biblical teaching. But Christians must remember that God comes first, and that we belong to his kingdom above all.
What about when there are problems?
Let’s look at what Frederick Douglass had to say:
Patriotism doesn’t mean agreeing with or endorsing everything about one’s nation, its history, or its current leaders. Someone can feel love for their country while also acknowledging its shortcomings. In fact, some would say confronting the problems in one’s country and striving to help it improve is a prime example of devotion.
Former slave, abolitionist, and writer/speaker Frederick Douglass articulated this tension in 1847. He said he lacked a sense of patriotism while his black brethren suffered under American slavery. Still:
As my voice can be heard on this or the other side of the Atlantic, I will hold up America to the lightning scorn of moral indignation. In doing this, I shall feel myself discharging the duty of a true patriot; for he is a lover of his country who rebukes and does not excuse its sins.
Justin Giboney encourages Christians to engage in politics outside of the two-party framework, which often doesn’t represent Christian interests very well. He wrote recently for Christianity Today:
Not long ago, I spoke to a racially diverse group of Christians about the trials our moment presents. They were enthusiastic with me as I named threats and prosecuted the case against their political opponents. But when I appealed to the bright side and detailed how we could do better, I could tell I’d lost them. They’d bonded over grievance, found identity in despair and a home in the drama. … It’s easier, I realize, to scream that the sky is falling than to detail which parts of our democracy are falling apart and which are sound or map out the realistic circumference of our sphere of influence and work hard within it. Nuance and hope rain on a pity party, but they allow us to create a cogent plan of action and save us from tortured imaginations about our neighbors.
Holding Onto Hope
When we care about something, we invest in it. Investing in something generally makes it better. If Americans are so despondent about life in America that they check out completely, they won’t invest in their communities anymore, and our entire nation will suffer.
A healthy sense of patriotism doesn’t blind us to our nation’s shortcomings, but should motivate us to work for its improvement, see glimmers of hope, and be grateful for the good things.
Independence Day Challenge
This Fourth of July, mark America’s 250th anniversary by partaking in the following challenge:
- Read writings from some of the Founders, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, or the Federalist Papers
- Make a list of 10 things you’re grateful for about America
- Make a list of 10 things you can change or improve for people in your sphere of influence in your community