The English word “memorial” is kin to the English word “memory,” which speaks simply of “remembering.” I love Memorial Day because I love my country, and the freedoms enjoyed by the citizens and immigrants therein.
This Memorial Day weekend, I have been thinking of American Christian religious leaders who oppose patriotism, believing any such expression to be sinful. I can understand why Islam hates America at its core; for they hate Israel, and the United States has been a friend to Israel. But why in the world would an American man, supposing to be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, hate the slightest expression of patriotism?
Allow me first to say that I am patriotic, and I make no apology for being such. As a matter of fact, the American who is not patriotic is the one who should be offering apologies. Lest I be misunderstood, let me describe what I mean by the term “patriotic.”
By “patriotic,” I mean that I am of the opinion that the United States is the greatest nation on the face of the earth, and I would rather live nowhere else. I have, while in prayer on many occasions, thanked God that He allowed me to be born in America. Please note that I do not believe that I am better than anyone else for being an American; it is by God's marvelous grace that I was born and raised in this great country. Yes, I said it, and I do not apologize that I said it – that the United States is the greatest nation on the face of the earth. Our women are treated with far more respect than are the women of Iran, who are publicly flogged for showing their face in public. Our children enjoy a better quality of life than children in places such as Sudan. Yes, I am grateful that I live in the United States as opposed to Sudan. America is great in terms of the freedoms we enjoy. Many of these freedoms are at stake even within our borders. The most liberal of our own citizens hate freedom, and would silence the freedom of speech of any and all who would disagree with them. Make no mistake – America is a sinful nation who, in many ways, has turned from the God of the Bible. We have been engaged in a holocaust of the worst kind – the slaughter of millions of innocent children. We will not be guiltless. Judgment is certain to come to us. But for some reason, God Almighty has withheld judgment for a season. At this very moment, the United States is still the best place on earth to live. Many of the poor in our nation live like kings compared to some in other nations. Our nation, compared to many others, is a paradise. By the grace of God, we have been exalted.
By “patriotic,” I mean simply that I love my country. I love seeing the beautiful countryside as I travel. I love the sight of the majestic mountains; I love the sound of our beautiful rushing waters. I love the beautiful skylines of our major cities. I love to see the fields at harvest time. No matter what type of landscape you prefer – America has it, and we have the most beautiful examples.
By “patriotic,” I mean, not only that I love America, but that I also love Americans. I am exhausted with these American pastors who claim to be “big on missions,” but then claim that expressing patriotism is sinful. It is hypocritical to show concern for the lost across the seas, but to not as much shed a tear for the lost across the street. What do you think Paul the apostle would have said about someone who cares for the estate of the foreigner but has no concern for his own? He would have branded such an individual “worse than an infidel.” God called Paul to preach to the Gentiles, but in Romans 9, Paul reveals that he has a tremendous burden for the nation of Israel, his own people. When Daniel was in Babylon, I am sure that Daniel expressed care for the Babylonians. But in one of the greatest prayers in the Bible, recorded in Daniel 9, Daniel prayed one of the most heartfelt prayers for, not the Babylonians, but the Jews, his own people.
By “patriotic,” I mean that I am thankful for every individual who has served our nation both in the past and in the present. This weekend, I will enjoy the company of my family, but I realize that it is only made possible because, this weekend, a person in uniform will be separated from their family. Some of the same Christian leaders who oppose patriotism also oppose those who courageously serve our nation in peacetime as well as in wartime. There are pastors who will stand behind their pulpit, perhaps this weekend, and declare that no American Christian should support war; and that it is sinful to serve in our nation's military in any capacity. If I could say something to such pastors, it would be this: Go ahead and voice your opinion. In America, you have an unalienable right to do so. But there are countries where, if the government tells you to serve in the military, you will serve in the military or have your head severed from your shoulders. In America you have the right to choose whether to serve or not to serve. But know that, while you are voicing your opposition to our men in uniform, and while you are stating your opposition to the expression of patriotism, your right to do so is protected because a man in uniform died in a puddle of his own blood. Your right to state such a stupid opinion is protected by a woman in uniform who was captured on the battlefield and suffered heroically. So I now wish to take this time to thank every veteran who has selflessly served our nation to protect my God-given rights that I so freely enjoy. Thank you to every individual who is currently serving our nation so that I do not have to wake up to the sound of gunfire, missiles, and car bombs on American soil. Thank you to every mother, father, and spouse whose loved one will not be with you this Memorial Day. You have given much to your country, and are still giving. Please know that everyone has not forgotten.
If you are one who believes patriotism to be sinful, I only ask, “Where does the Bible condemn patriotism as I have described it?” Why am I wrong for acknowledging God's blessing upon America, and thanking Him for it? Why am I wrong for loving America's “amber waves of grain”? Why am I wrong for loving Americans, and for being more grieved over the sins of America than over the sins of other nations? And why am I wrong in making a meager effort to pay my debt – the debt of thankfulness I owe to every American who fought and never came home; to every American who fought and came home a “basket case” (I say that very respectfully); and to every American who is presently preserving our nation's freedoms? The American who is patriotic owes no explanation for his love to his country; it is the American who opposes patriotism who owes the explanation.
Thank you to all who serve! We remember!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!*
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!*
*Katherine L. Bates
