A Ramble About Patriotism

I recently got around to watching “The Patriot” with Mel Gibson. Overall, I was impressed. It was a well done and well crafted film which captured much of the flavor of the American Revolution, if not the accurate details.

The thing which struck me most about the film was how it made me feel as an American. I had no less than three or four ancestors in the original New England colonies in the mid sixteen hundreds from both sides of my family. I have relatives on both sides of my family who have traced our family lines throughout the history of the United States from its first English colonies through the American Revolution, and on through the Civil War and the westward expansion. In many ways, my own personal family history is a mirror of the history of this country. Relations of mine helped forge the huge chains that were strung to keep out British ships. Other relations were slave owners. I even had ancestors fighting on both sides of the Civil War, North and South. My own great grandfather was either full or at least half Cherokee, so at least some of my ancestors had to walk the Trail of Tears (I never forget that I would have had to). So when I sat and watched this film it stirred something within me which I'm not sure I can explain. Something deep within me, something in my blood resonated with the American soldiers in their red, white,and blue uniforms and the American flag flying as they fought a desperate war against an Empire upon which the sun never set.

I was taught to be patriotic and to love this country since as far back as I can remember. I suppose that's what happens when you're born into a military family and live on or near military bases for the first six years of your life. It's ingrained into your very being to feel something at the sight of the American flag flying in the breeze. It's ingrained into you to have nothing but respect for American soldiers even if you will never serve that way yourself (not that I didn't try).

Patriotism is defined as a love for one's native country. Good or bad, right or wrong, to be a patriot you must love your country and want the best for it. A real patriot would not think of trying to cause its downfall, or try to shatter it into pieces. A real patriot would work for the good of their country even if it means coming to a compromise with people you disagree with, so that everyone can benefit.

Earlier tonight, as I write this, I saw a piece on the news about a new “fortified city” being proposed in Northern Idaho, within a couple hours drive from us, by a group that wants to have as little to do with the US government as possible. Their advertisement for “citizens” for this community calls for “true patriots” who must own an AR-15 assault rifle and maintain a thousand rounds of ammunition. I really have to wonder at the irony that this group only considers those people true patriots who are willing to separate from the United States and fight against it “if the need arises.” As I think about my family's history, I really have to wonder if they understand the meaning of the word “patriot.”

Often, there seem to be too many within the Church who seem to use the same definition of “patriotism” as this group. Their measure of loyalty to and love for Jesus Christ is taken by how willing they are to break apart the Church and cloister themselves against its unification, refusing to come to a mutual agreement of faith, and allowing each other the freedom to disagree on minor issues which hurt no one. Local pastors or laypersons who believe themselves to be sovereign in and of themselves instead of subject to a greater unified authority under a single Head (no, I'm not talking about the Pope for those who assume all Catholics are Roman). This is how civil wars begin and continue, such as rage within the Church to this day.

The Red, White, and Blue will always be a part of who I am, and I will always be intertwined with it, for better or for worse. In the same way, regardless of how much people within the Church try and rebel against it, the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic nature of the Church and its historical government and practice will always be a part of it, for better or for worse. The teachings and practice of Jesus Christ are interwoven into its very fabric and DNA. Those who are true patriots of the Kingdom of Heaven will always feel this deep within them, regardless of whether they understand it. And those who are true patriots will always feel the pull towards unity as a single nation of people regardless of where we come from, even if we disagree and squabble over details. And those who are true patriots will always be willing to sacrifice their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to see that unity maintained, and will defend it against all those who seek to tear it apart.