Patriotism and Worship of Idols

[Norak]

One of the Ten Commandments tells followers not to worship man-made
idols. Patriotism seems like worship of a flag, which seems to resemble
an idol. The nation-state is a man-made legal entity. The bible also
says that the nations are but dust (in Isiah 40). So I was wondering
whether patriotism is appropriate Christian beheavior.

[Steve Hayes]

Post by Norak
One of the Ten Commandments tells followers not to worship man-made
idols. Patriotism seems like worship of a flag, which seems to resemble
an idol. The nation-state is a man-made legal entity. The bible also
says that the nations are but dust (in Isiah 40). So I was wondering
whether patriotism is appropriate Christian beheavior.

Who was it who said that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel?

But it really depends on what you mean by patriotism. It's one thing to love
your country, but when patriotism tips over into chauvinism, then idolatry
kicks in.

[zach]

Post by Norak
One of the Ten Commandments tells followers not to worship man-made
idols. Patriotism seems like worship of a flag, which seems to resemble
an idol. The nation-state is a man-made legal entity. The bible also
says that the nations are but dust (in Isiah 40). So I was wondering
whether patriotism is appropriate Christian beheavior.

It depends on what you define as patriotism. That is a very broad,
subjective and non-specific term. I was attending one church (in
California) where during a Memorial Day service, they saluted the flag
and did the Pledge of Allegiance. That struck me as idolatry, doing it
in a church, even in a non-traditional Protestant church. I stood, but
did not participate because my own conscience convicted me not to.
Right or wrong, that was my personal decision. And no, I am not a
Jehovah's Witness. If you want to get into broader definitions, then
you could say something as innocuous as voting (civic patriotic duty)
is also patriotic.

[B.G. Kent]

Post by Norak
One of the Ten Commandments tells followers not to worship man-made
idols. Patriotism seems like worship of a flag, which seems to resemble
an idol. The nation-state is a man-made legal entity. The bible also
says that the nations are but dust (in Isiah 40). So I was wondering
whether patriotism is appropriate Christian beheavior.

B - What about the Bible as idol?
It is afterall...man made.

Bren

[qquito]

What about the cross? It shows up *physically* in many places, and it
is man-made. And how about statues and paintings of Jesus and of Mary?
Statues and paintings are man-made.

Post by B.G. Kent
B - What about the Bible as idol?
It is afterall...man made.
Bren

[shegeek72]

Post by B.G. Kent
B - What about the Bible as idol?
It is afterall...man made.

Interesting question. That also includes statues of Christ, crosses and
other religious icons.

What's dangerous is the unbending dogma of: "I'm Christian and I'm
right and you're wrong, because I know the TRUTH!" which is, in
essence, idolatry of the self, because the problem is "truth," in this
case, varies from person-to-person and is subjective.

[Sydney Harbour Bridge]

So I was wondering whether patriotism
is appropriate Christian beheavior.

George W. Bush is a Christian - as we saw from the way he dispensed with
the former leader of Iraq, and is proving to the every moon worshipping
Muslim, that our invisible friend is far more powerful than their invisible
friend.

In Christ's name we pay.

[gilgames]

<<
George W. Bush is a Christian - as we saw from the way he dispensed with
the former leader of Iraq, and is proving to the every moon worshipping
Muslim, that our invisible friend is far more powerful than their invisible
friend.
I always thought, that in the Old Testament God was particular, the God
of the Israelites and their's only. In the New Testament God is for
everyone, any time and any place, and this Gos is impartial. So there is
not any more our God or their God, just God.

laszlo

[B.G. Kent]

Post by Sydney Harbour Bridge

So I was wondering whether patriotism
is appropriate Christian beheavior.

George W. Bush is a Christian - as we saw from the way he dispensed with
the former leader of Iraq, and is proving to the every moon worshipping
Muslim, that our invisible friend is far more powerful than their invisible
friend.
In Christ's name we pay.

Moon worshipping? they don't worship the moon.

Bren

[B.G. Kent]

Post by Sydney Harbour Bridge

So I was wondering whether patriotism
is appropriate Christian beheavior.

George W. Bush is a Christian - as we saw from the way he dispensed with

B - Nope. I don't accept that. I have not seen much of the Christian in
Bush. Not all Christians are right winged, war-mongering, women
crushing,literalists who kill the earth with little care, clap gleefully
thinking they are the only ones God loves, etc. etc. We don't need those
stereotypes anymore than any other. I am a Christian and anti-Bush.

Blessings
Bren

[gilgames]

<<
B - Nope. I don't accept that. I have not seen much of the Christian in
Bush. Not all Christians are right winged, war-mongering, women
crushing,literalists who kill the earth with little care, clap gleefully
thinking they are the only ones God loves, etc. etc. We don't need those
stereotypes anymore than any other. I am a Christian and anti-Bush.

Blessings
Bren
Yes. Those who do not hold that God created all men equal cannot be
Christians.