When patriotism is introduced in religious observances, is there idolatry?

Question

When the symbols of patriotism is introduced into religious worship, is not that congregation indulging in idolatry? Viewing patriotism from a religious perspective and religion from a patriotic prespective.

Rabbi, You should know better than most that when patriotism enters, the church, temple, mosque or catheral, no one is safe anymore. The nexus generated by the confluence of these two factor brings into one place unquenchable passions. The result of which we are too familar with today.

Jack, The question is not wherein lies patriotism, but wherein lies patriotism in the faith. If the two are not kept separate, then you have the holy war which knows no bounds.

CLR, remember the vision of Patton lecturing before the flag? I have seen the same image replicated by ministers as they preached from the pulpit. To me the idoltry is obvious.

With the 4th in the offering, I just wanted people to think about their faith and patriotism and how they might keep them apart. We must not let the viltolic religious neo-cons usurp of patriotism nor should we let our patriotism blind us to what good there is in faith.

Answer 1

Lately there's been too much congruence between Church and State. The Constitution guarantees separation and we should adhere to it.

Answer 2

This depends on whether you mean [Idolatry] literally, figuratively, metaphorically, symbolically, or what...
Literally, Idolatry is simply the "worship" of any sort of image. I doubt very seriously that any church-goer where these symbols are being used would say that they are worshiping the images, would they?
The word [Idolatry], as it is typically thrown around vis-a-vis the fundamentalists' circuits is more connotative than denotative.
Keep in mind that one of the basic foundations and undercurrents of Judaism (which, whether one wants to believe it or not, or admit it or not, is ONE of the roots of Christianity) and it has a long tradition of Nationalism, which obviously implies patriotism.
It's a tricky subject, and a great question to be pondered, but we must remember it is very difficult to try to isolate all of humanity's aspects from each other.
(e.g. When I studied philosophy - I learned "everything is philosophy." When I studied political science - I learned "everything is politics." Religion - "everything is religion"). I think you get the idea...

Answer 3

Probably depends on the religion. Patriotic zeal, for instance, was fundamental to Shintoism in Japan during the 1930s and 1940s. I don't believe it could be called idolatry.

When Christian countries fight wars it's usually a given that they're fighting on the same side as God would wish them to fight. Patriotism is usually implicit. Probably the religious leaders feeding the fires of patriotism wouldn't percieve it as idolatry.

Idolatry, I'd conclude, must be something that only happens in the enemy camp.

Answer 4

I am not sure it can be called idolatry, but I will agree that certain moral issues do crossover from one to the other. They are not the same, but there are groups political and religious that blur the line about this more and more. In reality it is propaganda, maybe even a little brainwashing. If you tell people something over and over... right or wrong, they start to believe it, especially if they make it sound official.

Answer 5

Idolatry is the elevation of some finite reality to ultimate concern or divine status. If the nation or one's national or ethnic identity is viewed as ultimate, the result is idolatry. If the symbols or reality of the nation or culture are placed in a subordinate relationship to the the object of worship, what is being displayed is the relationship of a finite reality to the true object of ultimate concern. Such a relationship would not by necessity be an example of idolatry.

Answer 6

I agree it is idolatry. Interestingly enough, I do believe various new test. teachings shun such activity (paraphrase: "give to Caesar what is Caesar's; give to god what is god's"). I don't believe religion should venture into the political, nor should politics try to use what is religious. It is a dangerous mix. Yet, in our time, we have a Director of Faith-Based Initiatives in the Whitehouse. Isn't this nothing more than the Office of Religion?

Answer 7

"There are two visions of America. One precedes our founding fathers and finds its roots in the harshness of our puritan past. It is very suspicious of freedom, uncomfortable with diversity, hostile to science, unfriendly to reason, contemptuous of personal autonomy. It sees America as a religious nation. It views patriotism as allegiance to God. It secretly adores coercion and conformity. Despite our constitution, despite the legacy of the Enlightenment, it appeals to millions of Americans and threatens our freedom. The other vision finds its roots in the spirit of our founding revolution and in the leaders of this nation who embraced the age of reason. It loves freedom, encourages diversity, embraces science and affirms the dignity and rights of every individual. It sees America as a moral nation, neither completely religious nor completely secular. It defines patriotism as love of country and of the people who make it strong. It defends all citizens against unjust coercion and irrational conformity. This second vision is our vision. It is the vision of a free society. We must be bold enough to proclaim it and strong enough to defend it against all its enemies."

Answer 8

Patriotism shouldn't be related to religion, it is very different. when both are mixed look what happen!!! Muslims use religion as patriotism......I will do anything to defend my country but never in the name of A GOD I never saw.