Patriotic services?
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I attended by wife’s family’s church in South Carolina over July 4 weekend; the church had its annual patriotic service. It is in a town with an air force base; I’d guess the church has 25-30 active duty service men/women and vets. I hate attending the patriotic service. I don’t mind the presentation of the colors, saying the pledge of allegiance or the recognition of vets. What gets under my skin are statements like, “America is the greatest nation on the face of the earth,” “I’m proud to be an American,” and “Our founding fathers were all Christian.” Then there are the hokey songs like, “The Cross Is My Statue of Liberty.” I’m just seeking the thoughts of others on this. Does this even belong in a church on the Lord’s Day? Can patriotism be idolatrous? Is national pride an ok kind of pride?
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This is a subject I have given much thought to over the last few years. Let me start by saying that I really love this country. I served in the Army for over three years and was medically discharged in 1997. I can honestly say that I would not have any problems dying to protect its people and the freedoms we enjoy. There is no problem for believers to be extremely patriotic. Christians should be, as we are commanded to be, the most upstanding citizens in the country. But how do we show this patriotism? Is it by having a few patriotic services three times a year (July 4th, Memorial and Veterans Day) or is it by serving this country on multiple levels? Most church members are all about waving flags here and there, but ask them to sacrifice and you won’t get much. God forbid that we send our sons and daughters to serve in the military as a way to repay the favor (sounds suspiciously like most church member’s attitude towards missions). God forbid we partake of the political process which we are very priviledged to do so if we desire. God forbid we consistently pray for our leaders including the ones we consider enemies of God and country. This is the attitude I find among most believers in America today.
On the other hand, any time I meet with my church family for a time of corporate worship that service should be all about God. Should we honor our vets? You better believe we should. But we need to do it in a way that does not take away attention from God. I think church families should set apart a special time to thank God for this country and the blessings we have just by being here. Maybe have a patriotic themed cook-out at the church on some other day besides Sunday. But when I meet with my church family for corporate worship, I am not going to praise this country, its founders, its leaders or its military. My devotion to God should never be substituted by my devotion to this country in any way whatsoever.
Unfortunately, I find that most believers attitude towards patriotism is about the same as their attitude towards God. They give lip-service as evidence of love for both but there is no act of sacrifice out of love for either.
On the other hand, any time I meet with my church family for a time of corporate worship that service should be all about God. Should we honor our vets? You better believe we should. But we need to do it in a way that does not take away attention from God. I think church families should set apart a special time to thank God for this country and the blessings we have just by being here. Maybe have a patriotic themed cook-out at the church on some other day besides Sunday. But when I meet with my church family for corporate worship, I am not going to praise this country, its founders, its leaders or its military. My devotion to God should never be substituted by my devotion to this country in any way whatsoever.
Unfortunately, I find that most believers attitude towards patriotism is about the same as their attitude towards God. They give lip-service as evidence of love for both but there is no act of sacrifice out of love for either.
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