At what level does patriotism become a religion?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 17:01:36 -0400

I love my country. It's why I serve her. I love my God. It's why I serve him. I love the freedom of religion in this country. But when I see any particular religion married to national pride, I get concerned. What dangers are there in blending religion and patriotism too much ?

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Apr 24 at 2015 5:05 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 17:05:59 -0400

Excellent question!!!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 5:09 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 17:09:18 -0400

Right now is the time to build morale and for very apparent reasons and the liberal attack on patriotism is nothing short of treasonous. It is not that people are called out for going overboard like some veterans and SMs who are contentious with the stolen valor gang but the military does need a shot in the arm.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 5:11 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 17:11:03 -0400

Patriotism... devoted love, support, and defense of one's country; national loyalty.

So... I believe... NEVER.

Politicians confuse the two tho. All of them.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 5:20 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 17:20:08 -0400

Core values should be ones that we hold deal and that shape our motivation, especially during times of stress and low morale. They are likely held close together. I think there is greater danger in trying to drive a wedge between religion and patriotism.

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made Apr 24 at 2015 5:22 PM

SSG Leonard Johnson — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 17:22:32 -0400

Well I'm a Cristian so I don't belong to any religion. I have faith, I'm also a patriot. Remember this country was founded under Christian beliefs...so the US Constitution and the faith of Christianity are married together, since our Lord gave us this land

Response by BG David Fleming III made Apr 24 at 2015 5:30 PM

BG David Fleming III — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 17:30:21 -0400

Excellent question! I have noticed a danger in blending religion and patriotism when some so called "Man of God" tell their congregation who god wants them to vote for in a Presidential election! Lines and lines of blind sheep entering the voting booth. Very disappointing!

Before some start with the hating, I acknowledge there are many pastors and church members who vote their conscience and are not suade by such parliament tricks. Just my observations and opinion!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 6:01 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 18:01:37 -0400

When the specific tenets and doctrines of a religion are used to solely justify military action. This is when a religion is married to closely to the decisions of a government. Look at ISIS. Look at Iran.

BUT, on a personal level, if one feels inspired, by his God/Diety/Religion, to defend the freedoms that he enjoys, his morale may be greatly affected if he sees that the things he is ordered to do have nothing to do with freedom, or worse, seem to work contrary to it! He may end up bitter and simply get out, or he may realize that he can play a role in fixing it (I speak solely of the United States here, and our commitment to our freedoms).

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government..."

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html

Who believes this? Who are the Oath Keepers?

Declaration of Independence - Text Transcript

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 24 at 2015 7:39 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 19:39:18 -0400

A person should always vote their conscience. They should adhere to their belief systems. Whether it is political or religious.

However, they should be able to explain that belief system in a critical manner. Even if it is as simple as "I disagree with X, because 'I' believe it is wrong." Not because religion says it's wrong. Internalize, not externalize. Now, if the foundation of the belief is religion, that's fine, just don't use it as a justification.

My personal belief system is intimately linked with the Constitution. What I consider Right & Wrong, and what I think is Moral & Immoral likewise. That's not to say exclusively, but philosophically there's just so much there.

That said, there are some things which I think the government just shouldn't be involved in at all. Things which I think are the sole realm of Religion. Like marriage. Or Bedrooms. Or Taxes... Wait.. no the government can do that last one... unfortunately.

Response by SGT John Wesley made Apr 24 at 2015 7:40 PM

SGT John Wesley — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 19:40:17 -0400

It's not necessarily a bad thing, it's when it becomes a fanatical thing. I'm referring to ISIS/ISIL, Taliban etc.

We, as Americans usually keep our faith a private matter and I think that's right.

One Nation, Under God, with liberty and justice for ALL. Not just Christians, but all, and that's how it should be.

Response by Matthew Torrelli made Apr 24 at 2015 8:15 PM

Matthew Torrelli — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 20:15:52 -0400

I believe they go together

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 8:17 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 20:17:42 -0400

I think it is ok for them to be linked, there will never complete separation for those who believe that we are a country favored by God, but when a country and its government move from secularity, and into the realm of Dominionism, it will serve nothing but to further polarize the global community. Right now we are secular nation fighting an enemy that is waging a holy war. With secularism, it allows us to take the position that we are better than those that would impose their religious beliefs on the world, and use them as a means of oppression and control. The minute we choose to align God and country as a position, we lose the high ground and begin fighting our own holy war. That, then makes us no better than our current enemy.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 10:19 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 22:19:34 -0400

Sir, the history of the world can surely answer that question. The Crusades.....Russia/Afghan war......GWOT.....as examples.

While one party has a goal of stemming the flow of another, or to try and conquer another....there (in the examples I gave) has always been at least one party that took patriotism and religion and meshed them into a very dangerous and bloody combination.

It, I believe, comes down to how people are raised and what they are taught. When one can study that and get to the root answer of your question, then one will truly see how dangerous those two combined can be.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 6:49 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 18:49:17 -0400

When Patriotism turns into Nationalism, it becomes a danger to religious freedom and liberty.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 13 at 2016 1:17 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 13:17:44 -0500

When your patriotism is based on faith as opposed to substantive reasons, it's become a religion...

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Dec 22 at 2022 10:38 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 10:38:37 -0500

thanks for sharing

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Dec 22 at 2022 9:29 PM

SSG Gerhard S. — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 21:29:50 -0500

One might suggest patriotism becomes religion when people pray to their country, rather than to their God. One might suggest putting the needs of their country above the needs of oneself, or ones family might suggest a religious affiliation.. One might also suggest that believing one's government should have control over our children rather than their own parents, borders on a religious affiliations.