Isn't patriotism idolatory?
2006-12-20 05:54:34 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What is the Bible's teaching on this instead of your own personal opinions?
2006-12-20 06:04:48 · update #1
The first 10 answers are only personal opinions I want God's view which would be the ultimate answer.
2006-12-20 06:08:00 · update #2
Jesus said to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and render unto God that which is God's. He also told us to respect authority and to submit to those in authority over us (government, parents, teachers, employers).
The problem isn't choosing between the two, but submitting to the Lord's will. Basic rules: 10 Commandments (not suggestions as many seem to think) found in Exodus.
Also, refer to the Beattitudes (ATTITUDES of how we should BE), and the Gospel of John in the New Testament.
Idolatry "the worship of idols; excessive devotion." Anything that you put before or ahead of God. If you could see God standing in front of you and he gave you a choice to spend time with him or to do something else, what would you choose. THAT choice to do something else (whatever it may be) is what your idol is.
Remember - spending time with God involves doing things for Him or in His name, doing what He has told us to do, obedience. So, we need to know what He wants us to do or not do in order to be obedient. That involves learning, reading God's word and spending time praying.
2006-12-20 06:11:02 · answer #1 · answered by Clarissa P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The two are incompatible. A Christian's first loyalty is to theological dogma so they can't be genuine patriots. What they have is a superficial veneer of patriotism or more correctly jingoism but if push came to shove no country could rely on their loyalty.
2006-12-20 05:57:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
HA! i fail to see how. if they were patriots theyd have consideration for people rather than lining their own pockets. of course i speak about the christians in politics...or like gay-boys like Ted Haggard....ano christian whose in a position of power or command.
i have a hypothetical equation for things like this. take 2 soldiers. one is a christian, one is an atheist. the christian soldiers, dedicated to his country, loves his country, is willing to lay his life down in its defense divies up his priorities like this :God and Country....
so thats 50% god and 50% country.
now lets look at the atheist, the same as the christian when comes to loyalty but look how his priorities are divided up:
0% god and 100% country.
so technically (and hypothetically) an atheist would make a greater patriot than a christian by 50%.
2006-12-20 05:56:43 · answer #3 · answered by johnny_zondo 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes on both counts.
An allegiance to ones country and a belief in a sociopolitical ideal that includes freedom and justice for all can hardly be considered to be idol worship.
2006-12-20 06:00:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps you should ask God and not people on Yahoo! Answers if you want God's answer to your question. To do this, you would pray and sit quietly and ask God to speak with you in your heart. It isn't that hard, just listen!
2006-12-20 06:30:56 · answer #5 · answered by Unity 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you worship and revere your country more than God....
Anything that is more important to you than God is idolatry:
Modern idols include: music, sex, friends, popularity, appearance.
Besides, I know personally that when you focus on God everything else falls into place.
2006-12-20 05:58:36 · answer #6 · answered by Doug 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes we should hold our government and country up in prayer. pray for those in authority over you so that you may all lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty
2006-12-20 05:57:36 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Christian... not a patriot.
2006-12-20 05:57:11 · answer #8 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Am I Christian?:Yes
Do I love my country?:Yes
Will I bow down to Goverment?:No
2006-12-20 05:58:41 · answer #9 · answered by Maurice H 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are confused.
You can be patriotic toward your country, without worshipping it.
2006-12-20 05:58:15 · answer #10 · answered by guitar teacher 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋