What Should the Christian Response Be to Veteran’s Day and Patriotism?

Nov. 11, 2023 

Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is observed annually on November 11 in the United States for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. It began as Armistice Day marking the end of World War II. What should be the Christian response to this day and  patriotism in general?  It may come as a surprise to those over 50 who are mostly patriotic, only18% of 18- to 35-year-olds are patriotic.[i]   Veteran’s Day participation relates to the extent Christian should participate in the political and civic affairs of the nation but is separate from that issue.

Veterans Day honors those who gave their lives in support  of the nation.  Patriotism is: 1. Special affection for one’s own country 2. A sense of personal identification with the country 3. Special concern for the well-being of the country 4.Willingness to sacrifice to promote the country’s good.[ii]  Patriotism brings to mind some difficult questions: What is its moral standing: is it morally valuable or perhaps even mandatory or is it rather a stance we should avoid? These are difficult questions to answer for Christian and for political philosophers.

Let’s tackle the  Veterans Day question first.  What light does the bible shed on this? The first is the saying of Christ in his last discourse  to his disciples and us before his crucifixion.  He said “ No one has greater love than the one who gives their life for their friends.”[iii]  Paul in his discussion about government tells us “ Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”[iv]  One may object that veterans gave their lives for the nation not for “friends.” That may be true, but honor is deserved, nevertheless.  The “Band of Brothers” movie tells us how close those in combat become.  Honoring veterans then seems rather straight forward to answer.

I know the background objection would be “what if the nation is an evil one?” Can one believe that Rome ruled with Christian morality and ethics?  Though it is true we get many of our revered law traditions from Roman law, Rome was not Christian.  Paul’s dictate did not specify that the nation conform to Christianity.  In fact, it was given under Roman rule.

The second question concerning patriotism is more difficult to answer and has many different tenacles. For example, how does patriotism relate to nationalism? Patriotism relates to love of one’s country and culture. It has ethical import.  Nationalism relates to the Nation and its power. Christians have differed significantly on patriotism and participating in the political affairs of the country. Jesus seems to indicate there are two separate obligations: “Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s”[v]  Augustine wrote two books on this “The City of God” and the “City of Man”  We live as citizens of two “kingdoms” .  We are first and foremost citizens of the Kingdom of God.  How do we live in both?

Patriotism has different shades.  It can be extreme. In this case the interests of the country override any moral concerns.  It can be “robust”.  In this case, one’s morality is bound up in the traditions and culture of the community and one  is loyal to that community.  But this does not mean that one would support any government in power.  Note that this is not revealed morality and thus is not based necessarily on Christian ethics. The third type that can be postulated is moderate patriotism—one that is compatible with liberal morality and may be called moderate patriotism.  This type recognizes different levels of obligation.  For example, in the Ten Commandments this is a definite obligation of children to honor “their” parents that is specific rather that to all parents.  Similarly there is a level of obligation to the country and one closer to home.  In this case patriotism is not bound to moral or humanitarian concerns outside  one’s  own country.  One must, however, distinguish when one’s moral obligations overcomes ones’ obligation to the community.  Is the war a “just war” I am obligated to obligated to support? If not moderate patriotism would not support the cause.  Note liberal morality is not necessarily Christian morality.  The fourth type of patriotism is one called “deflated patriotism.” In this case one’s  obligation to support one’s county is based upon the need to express gratitude for what the country has provided you.

The problem with all four cited is they call for the Christian to  primarily support  the country’s worldly wellbeing regardless of Christian morality.  There is, however, another type of patriotism that the political philosophers call “ethical patriotism.”  In this case the patriot seeks to focus and promote its distinctive moral well-being and integrity.  For Christians this would be honoring and promoting distinctly Christian morality, ethics, and laws.   Paul told us to pray for our leaders and in his case that was the Emperor.  Romans 13 tells us governments are instituted by God to promote justice.

I suggest another passage that sheds light on how we should act as Christian aliens in even worldly countries.  It is one given to Israel when they were in captivity.

“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”[vi]

Can a Christian be patriotic?  I suggest yes—if it is based upon biblical principles.

Note: These are difficult decisions for some.  I have another essay that addresses the question “How Does a Christian Make Political Decisions in a Free Society?”

[i] https://www.teenvogue.com/story/young-people-less-patriotic-than-ever

[ii] https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/patriotism/#WhaPat

[iii] John 15:13.

[iv] Romans 13:7

[v] Mark 12:17

[vi] Jerimiah 29:5-7