The Real Issue of American Pride: How Patriotism Can Become Idolatry

 

    I live in a country known as America, usually referred to as the "Land of the Free and Home of the Brave." The citizens pride themselves on being the nation of free speech, equal rights for the people and not being shackled by the oppression of a dictator. One of the ways to honor this country and the ideals is through the National Anthem. It simply goes like this:

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming,

Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight

O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bomb bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,

O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? 

    Now I am not going to get into a history lesson over the song and what it means, but I feel like the lyrics should help point out something regarding the context of this issue I have with the pride of America. Imagine being somebody who does not want to stand up and honor the flag or be respectful for the lyrics being sung. Instead, you decide to pray to God. It can be for the game itself and the players, the people tending the game or even for this country based on the principle of 1 Timothy 2:1-4. However, imagine being met with such intense criticism from doing this and not joining in the National Anthem.

    This is what happened regarding the LSU women's basketball team when the Louisiana governor, Jeff Landry, got angry after seeing a viral video of LSU not being present for the National Anthem during a game. However, despite this being a common habit for LSU's female basketball team, Jeff Landry has pushed for a policy that suggests any team present for the Anthem will be at risk to lose their scholarships. Yet, what was it that the team did when they went to the locker room? It was for a pregame ritual which included prayer. I find this ironic considering the Mr. Landry tried to defend prayer in public schools in the past.

    So what is the point of this article? To slam on the current Governor of Louisiana? Not necessarily as I still pray for the man and wish him the best in running the state I live in. However, I do think the implications of this outrage, despite the information being out there, should be noted when it comes to the idea of freedom of religion in America and the problem of idolatry of a nation when comparing to Christianity. Especially when it could be much more than just a matter of the Anthem being ignored.

    Imagine that you must go out and be told that you must do daily five time allegiances to the flag of America, saying the Pledge of Allegiance in it's entirety or else you will be fined or even arrested. When you mention that one of those times is during a service for Church or even during a time for devotional prayer that has been committed, but you are told to just not go to Church and to schedule your prayer time around for the sake of America. How would you respond in this situation where the nation puts itself over your Christian values?

    I don't plan to put much into this article other than just to point out what scripture says. 1 Corinthians 10:14 tells us to flee from idolatry and the way that much passion put into the flag, an anthem and a country itself can easily be an idol in which we put more devotion and time into instead of our prayer life or helping with the expansion of the Gospel. We, as a church, need to be united in calling out the wickedness of people who chose to put country above God and choose the nation's values above God's Word.

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

- Prayer for Our Nation, Book of Common Prayer (p. 820)