Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?
It makes me sad when a good word is co-opted by misguided people. The word patriotic describes a person who is devoted to their country. The word patriotic used to evoke feelings of pride in my country, the sweet land of liberty. Now, it brings to mind people who are devoted to a man with autocratic tendencies and people who conflate faith with nationism.
The man who tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of power in the United States of America in 2021 described the insurrectionists he summoned to the US Capitol as ‘patriots.’
Were these rioters demonstrating devotion to the United States of America when they stormed the Capitol? No, they were demonstrating devotion to a man. They came to protest in D.C. on January 6th because a demagogue told them to be there.
The Capitol rioters aren’t the only ones who have soured me on the word patriotic. Christian Nationalists might well be described as patriotic; they are certainly devoted to the good old USA. Not only are they devoted to a misguided vision of our country, but they also idolize nationalism.
Let’s put truth over tribe and play a game called “America or Jesus?”
Patriotic Christians recognize they are citizens of heaven first and citizens of America second (Philippians 3:20).
Keith Simon, Truth Over Tribe
I am a Christian, and I love my country, but I am a citizen of heaven first. I am devoted to God.
My Father God to Thee, Author of Liberty, to Thee I sing.
My country, ’tis of thee,
sweet land of liberty,
of thee I sing:
land where my fathers died,
land of the pilgrims’ pride,
from every mountainside
let freedom ring!
Innermost Being 