Is Patriotism Idolatry?

First let me say that I grow up patriotic.  I was a cub scout, I supported the war in Vietnam, my spine tingled when I said the Pledge of Allegiance or sang the Star Spangled Banner, and I joined the military after the draft ended.  But when I came to Christ (or better He came to me) while I was in the military, all that changed, for "no man can serve two masters."

I suspect there are many who never give this question a thought.  Civil religion has been so successfully blended with Christianity that the question will seem blasphemous to many.  In fact, for multitudes of Americans, Christianity and Americanism are the same thing.  Many are conditioned to automatically equate the mere mention of "God" with true belief in Jesus Christ.  Few ever venture to ask if the god in "In God We Trust" is the same as the God  revealed in the Scriptures.

I hesitate  to compare the Boy Scouts with the Hitler Youth but they serve fundamentally the same purpose.  Where did Hitler get his model if not from the Boy Scouts?  God and Country!  Wrap the flag around the cross!  The religion of the Boy Scouts is nothing but a civil religion that serves the purposes of the State but is utterly incapable of delivering a soul from the wrath of God or the slavery of sin. The State must vaccinate the population against true Christianity because a real Christian knows his loyalty can only be to Christ alone.  True Christianity does not consist of words alone, but its reality rests on the power, Spirit, love, and faithfulness of Almighty God.  The spiritual man judges all things - even the words, actions, and laws of the State, hence the true Christian will always remain a threat in the minds of those in power.  His very existence is a rebuke to a world in rebellion against its Creator.  As the civil religion of the State could never compete with the real Christianity, she has sought to indoctrinate the young with the words and form of a generic, powerless Christianity that was conformable to her purposes.  Some years ago I had a discussion with a sociology professor in a state college over the purpose of education.  I was surprised to learn that the real purpose of education was to make the youth fit into society.  Foolish me!  I had thought it was for the benefit of the children.

But back to the question.   If a person clings to what God forbids, is that idolatry?  If a person loves what God hates, is that idolatry?  What does the Bible say?

"God is no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34)  That is: God makes no distinctions among people on the basis of origin of birth, nationality, status, etc.   This goes to the very heart of God's justice and grace.  If you were of gentile birth you ought to thank God that He does not make distinctions based of nationality.  But what does patriotism say?

Patriotism is the love of Country - my Country.  It demands I make a distinction that God refuses to make.  Patriotism says my country is better than others. Patriotism demands I love my Country above others.  Patriotism says "My Country - Right or Wrong!"

Then is patriotism of God or of the world?  Clearly of the world.  Jesus said, "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mat 5:48)  and "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained [perfect], will be like his teacher." (Luke 6:40)   His disciples then are to be like Him, making no distinctions on the basis of nation.  Therefore patriotism is excluded.

America preaches about civil rights.  Her Declaration of Independence claims there are inalienable (because they come from God and not the State.)  Yet those rights only apply to citizens.  If they are inalienable because they are God given, why do they not apply to all mankind?  Why can the United States imprison people without charge in Cuba but not in the United States?  Why is torture ok as long as it is extraterritorial? Why has she trained the military and police forces of other nations in the use of torture and murder to oppress their people?  Why has she repeatedly overthrown democratically elected governments and installed dictators? Are disciples of Jesus to show special affection to a nation whose government has sanctioned the murder by self centered mothers of multiplied millions of children because they are not persons and therefore have no rights.  But then, slaves were less than persons also! "My Country - Right or Wrong!" is manifest idolatry! 

Can we condone what God condemns? God says, "You shall not follow a multitude in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice. (Exodus 23:2)  We are not to follow the crowd, we are not to  side with those in the majority, but we are "to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God." The Word of God is our plum line, the standard by which we are to judge all things.

Brothers and sisters, our citizenship is in the Kingdom of Heaven (Phi 3:20) and our King is Christ.  To Him alone we owe love, loyalty, and obedience.  To Him alone do we bow in worship.  Remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego!