Patriotism

Placing one's hand over their heart during the national anthem is an open display of dedication and love for one's country.

Patriotism means love or devotion and duty to one's country or homeland, including the values of that country.^[1] The word patriot comes from Latin; the root is the same as that of "father": pater; also French patrie.

The Roman poet Horace wrote "Dulce et decorum est pro Patria mori", which means "It is sweet and seemly to die for one's country."^[2] Later, American satirist Ambrose Bierce would write "In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer I beg to submit that it is the first."^[3] Later still, World War I British infantryman and poet Wilfred Owen would mock Horace's words by describing a soldier dying a particularly gory death on the battlefield, and saying "My friend, you would not tell with such high zest / To children ardent for some desperate glory, / The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est / Pro patria mori."^[4]

However, liberals are the most likely to lack patriotism.^[5] A 2019 WalletHub survey^[6] (see below) found that the three most unpatriotic states were California, New York and New Jersey. These are left-wing states with "Democrat trifectas"—Democratic control of the Governorship and both houses of the legislature.^[7]

Some liberal politicians have made explicitly unpatriotic comments in public,^[8] and they have even criticized patriotic designs on police cars for not being "inclusive" enough or "representing" of them.^[9][10] Liberals also frequently, and falsely, claim that patriotism is synonymous with racism.^[11] Liberals also have promoted unpatriotism in public schools.^[12]

Patriotism is effectively synonymous with nationalism, though Marxists, communists, and globalists all have tried to redefine the terms as opposites.^[13] While globalists sometimes claim otherwise, globalism stands in opposition to patriotism.^[14]

The Barna Group poll on American patriotism[edit]

According to a 2017 Barna Group poll, between 70–90% of Americans agreed with six different aspects of American patriotism analyzed.^[15] They are:

• Individual rights come with personal responsibilities;
• Proud to be an American;
• Believe in and obey the Constitution;
• Committed to carrying out your individual civic duty;
• Willing to die to protect our freedoms; and
• Defending and living by the rules and ways of life described in the Constitution, whether you agree with them or not.

The article said that the survey "revealed much that remains positive, especially among the younger generation", and described the results as "heartening".

The Wallethub Poll[edit]

A 2019 WalletHub survey examined patriotism in detail on a state-by-state level.^[6]

There were 13 criteria in the survey, listed below. The first four are considered "Military Engagement", and the other 9 are considered "Civic Engagement".

• Average Military Enlistees per 1,000 Civilian Adults Between 2012 & 2017 (No Prior Service)
• Veterans per 1,000 Civilian Adults
• Active-Duty Military Personnel per 100,000 Civilian Adults
• Share of Civilian Adult Population in Military Reserves
• Share of Adults Who Voted in 2016 Presidential Election
• Share of Adults Who Voted in 2016 Primary Elections
• Volunteer Rate
• Volunteer Hours per Resident
• AmeriCorps Volunteers per Capita
• Peace Corps Volunteers per Capita
• Trial- & Grand-Jury Participation per Civilian Adult Population
• Share of Residents Who Participate in Groups or Organizations (Civic Life)
• Civics Education Requirement

The study also correlated the results with the states' political leanings ("red" vs. "blue"), as determined by the results of the 2016 Presidential election. It found the "red" states are generally more patriotic than "blue" states.

According to the metrics listed above, the top 6 most patriotic states, starting with the most patriotic, were New Hampshire, Wyoming, Vermont, Utah, Idaho, and Wisconsin. Of these, five have Republican Governors and one has a Democratic Governor. Four have Republican-controlled legislatures and two have Democrat-controlled legislatures.

The 6 least patriotic states, starting with the least patriotic, were New Jersey, New York, California, West Virginia, Texas, and Connecticut. Of these, two have Republican Governors and four have Democratic Governors. Two have Republican-controlled legislatures and four have Democrat-controlled legislatures.

Conflicts With Pacifism[edit]

In rare cases patriotism has been a source of conflict for Christians in wartime. While their nation may call on them to do their patriotic duty, many Western pacifists believe that New Testament advocates nonviolence.

Many western conservative Christians feel that patriotism does not conflict with Christianity as in their view their countries' political systems are based upon Christian principles. However, this argument is dubious. With the possible exception of Vatican City, no nation can truly be labeled "Christian", and given that people of other religious dispositions are allowed to vote - and these are numerous - it is unreasonable to expect a "Christian" outcome.

Quotes[edit]

• "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man and brave — hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him. For then it costs them nothing to be a patriot." – Mark Twain

• "It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace–but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! – Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775

• "Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom." – President John F. Kennedy

• "When the great Tao is forgotten, goodness and piety appear. When the body’s intelligence declines, cleverness and knowledge step forth. When there is no peace in the family, filial piety begins. When the country falls into chaos, patriotism is born." - Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 18, Mitchell translation.

See also[edit]

• American Patriots
• Founding Fathers
• Veterans and Oath Keepers
• Essay:Conservative quotes on American patriotism, preparedness, firearms and religion
• Nationalism
• Sociology of "atheism is un-American" view

External links[edit]

• 13 Patriotic Quotes from America’s Founding Fathers, Breitbart News.
• What Liberals Say - Category: Patriotism, Accuracy In Media

References[edit]