What is the relationship between patriotism and religion?

Question

It is true that church and state are to be separate, but it's clear that religion has an impact on a citizen's views of their country.

To those of you who say there is no relationship between patriotism and religion:
- Why do you see more flags in areas of the country with a higher population of Christians?

Perhaps my question should be more focused on the relationship between Christianity and Patriotism...

To Ken C: Try the First Amendment - "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

Answer 1

Normally none - but if you also mix in alcohol, guns and hookers you've got a red-staters wet dream.

Answer 2

Perhaps it is because Christianity has traditionally tried to force their religion on others. History has shown this, look at the Crusades the Salem witch trials. These are two prime examples when zealous faction of Christianity used the Government to force their views on others.

They use the relationship so they can force their religion on others. This is the reason our forefathers wrote in the Constitution that there must be a separation between church and state. With the separation they could be assured that no citizen could have a religion forced on them as they had. They came to America to flee from Religious Persecution and wanted to make sure it never happened here.

The reason you see more in the South is because there are more zealots.

People should respect all religions. No One really knows which religion is correct in their beliefs. The only way we will find out is after we die and then it is too late! So if we all are good people and respect everyone else's views and beliefs there will be a lot less hatred and wars!

Answer 3

There is nothing in the Constitution stating a seperation of church & state. The term came from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to a church, I believe a Baptist church in Connecticut. The Constitution states in the 1st Amendment (in the Bill of Rights) that congress shall make no law establishing a religion or preventing the free exercise thereof. In other words it (religion) is strictly off limits to the govt. Hell, politicians can't even descifer the meaning of the 2nd amendment - 1 sentence that was written in language that an 8th grader (of my generation, not today's) could understand, but it takes lawyers to say "that's what it says, but that's not what it means". Oh, & the true patriots, the founding fathers, were all Christians!!

Answer 4

Patriotism and religion both rely on not thinking too deeply about things. For example to say I'm in for the USA, what does that mean? That I believe the real estate is superior to that of other countries? That the current residents are somehow superior to those of other countries? That I don't believe our government has ever been wrong about anything?

Answer 5

The link between the government and the church is not in the constitution... It is with the churches. How many preachers push/promote certain issues/ politicians because of 'moral' issues.

Answer 6

There is no relationship. A true patriot would never consider putting personal beliefs, based on nothing but "faith" (particularly when that "faith" directly contradicts the values the nation is based on), above his country and his countrymen.

.

Answer 7

I am not really a christian....at least not one of the mainstream christians. I fly a flag everyday on my property!

Answer 8

Other than both being protected free speech in this nation, I see no relevance.

Answer 9

Because both appeal to the same sort of blockhead

Answer 10

There should be none according to our constitution, separation of religion and state.