Patriotism and Faith

by the Rev. Darrel Peterson
Assistant to the Bishop
ELCA Southeastern Synod

Summer is here and flags were everywhere! Who doesn’t enjoy the American 4th of July experience? We relish the parades, the fireworks, the cookouts, the sporting events, the concerts, the neighborhood gatherings and the time off. With Monday being the Fourth this year, churches were afforded the opportunity to provide a complementary prelude to the festivities. The congregation where I worshipped on Sunday did so, very well. There was a good and faithful treatment of the Christian faith and the patriotic.

I am not one to wave the flag easily. Don’t get me wrong. I love being an American and I respect and display the flag. But I do feel that some of our patriotic “flag waving” is a bit over the top.
Many Christian churches line the front of their grounds with flags.

Closely associated with the displaying of the flag is the visible support of our military troops. Again, I feel strongly that those who serve our country ought to be supported. But there seems to be an obligatory “loyalty test” of standing and applauding when a soldier in uniform comes into view.

A friend of mine, who is a decorated Vietnam war veteran, suggests there may be some residual guilt over how his generation of soldiers was treated. He tells of being advised to change out of uniform in San Francisco, before traveling across country to his home upon return to the US.
It is one thing to give adulation to our troops and another thing to provide comprehensive support to those who have served and to those who are serving. Do we provide adequate financial and social support to those in the military and their families? Are we advocates for continuing health benefits and education for returning veterans? Do we assist veterans with employment?

With the elimination of the draft, do we allow leaders to commit us to wars without their families’ participation? Is it fair to those who joined the national guard to now have been deployed out of the country three and four times?


Our nation is currently involved in at least two wars. Does our patriotic spirit necessitate our unquestioning support of all wars that we participate in? There are some issues here that relate to our Christian faith.

As we gather at the altar to receive Christ’s Holy Communion, the Vietnam veteran, the school teacher, the stockbroker, the couple whose son was killed in Iraq, the immigrant…the whole family of God, we need to be mindful that it is here that we find real and lasting peace.
Patriotism is just one dimension of living a faithful Christian life. The Fourth of July with its flags and national spirit is meaningful and enjoyable, but patriotism should not be co-mingled or equated with God’s message of love and mercy for all of God’s creation.