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Rev. Robert L. Montgomery
It puzzles me how the insurrectionists of Jan. 6 can consider themselves as patriots. This is applicable to all which might be violent in opposition to fellow residents. I bear in mind the offended face of an attacker on the Capitol saying to the digicam, “That is our Capitol.”
Whereas he was attacking the Capitol, I used to be pondering that it’s my Capitol, too. I resented the attackers waving American flags and in addition Christian flags. They misrepresented each flags.
Samuel Johnson famously stated that patriotism is the final refuge of the scoundrel. Patriotism is nice, however evil likes nothing higher than misusing good. The extra treasured the reality and good, the higher the hazard for them to be misused for evil.
The most effective place to begin to be taught the teachings of true patriotism is with the prophets of the Bible. Jeremiah and different prophets suffered and had been thought-about unpatriotic as a result of they criticized their very own nation, however their writings had been preserved as a result of they spoke the reality. They criticized their land as a result of they liked it.
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In our land, I heard “like it or go away it” used in opposition to those that criticized our nation’s involvement in Vietnam. Individuals who love the nation will criticize the nation out of affection for it to make it a greater place for its residents to reside and to have a greater overseas coverage towards different nations. We should additionally add now a greater coverage towards our pure world, which is being broken day by day. In our democracy the necessity for self-criticism is a fundamental cause we emphasize freedom of speech and of the press, the suitable to assemble, together with marching, to deal with grievances, and in addition freedom of faith. They’re basis stones of democracy.
The lesson from each the distant and up to date previous is that wholesome patriotism directs folks to motion and civic participation that includes voting, serving on civic committees, fulfilling civic duties comparable to jury obligation, in search of to learn about what is going on in the neighborhood, state and nation, marching or demonstrating peacefully as wanted, and customarily studying and practising the rules of democracy. The purpose of all of that is to enhance the nation for the good thing about all its folks. It requires caring concerning the nation, the welfare of all its folks, and taking motion with others.
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Strengthening democracy is the foremost approach patriots enhance a nation. Democracies present a peaceable approach for change to happen. Switch of energy is at all times essential in a nation as time passes. The standard approach of transferring energy in human societies was by way of inheritance in monarchies. Authorities based mostly on consent of the ruled that makes use of elections and phrases of workplace took a very long time to develop. This sort of authorities got here after the popularity of human rights. The United Nations solely made the Common Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
Inside nations, legal guidelines needs to be made to guard folks from mistreatment and discrimination. People who find themselves comfy in life are likely to overlook injustices in opposition to these much less in a position to assist themselves. Patriots take care of the welfare of all of the folks of the land. Patriotism means each defending the nation from outdoors assaults, and in addition defending the nation from inside assaults on its legal guidelines and beliefs.
The assault on the Capitol demonstrated to everybody the ability of tough and violent language to stir folks to violence. Human beings have a violent tendency that isn’t far beneath the floor. That is simply noticed all through historical past and within the January 6 assault. Violent and non-violent crime are unpatriotic and a cause why all governments have police powers to cease crime.
The usage of energy is critical in a nation and internationally, however human nature’s lust for energy is extraordinarily harmful for human life. Democracy is a approach to allow folks to achieve and use energy and wealth constructively, however given human nature, energy and wealth are simply used to hurt folks or just to not carry folks.
True patriots work to make authorities conscious of the wants of all of the folks. They understand how essential our democracy is and that energy hungry folks can undermine our democracy. Patriots block such strikes and uphold the rules of democracy. True patriots work for what the traditional prophets needed: continuous lifting of the lives of these least in a position to assist themselves, not the enrichment of the few who’re extra lucky than others and have wealth and energy. True patriots are wanted now, not folks simply carrying flags.
Rev. Robert L. Montgomery, Ph.D., lives in Black Mountain.
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