During times of partisan political campaigns (which these days seem to never end) there are voices on the political right who consistently charge that those who share progressive political beliefs are somehow less patriotic than those, for example, that support the use of military power as a first tool of diplomacy rather then a last resort.

Patriotism is a love of country and is something that most Americans share in common – both on the political left and the right. Most Americans want to make their country better for their families and their friends. We just sometimes come to different conclusions about what is best.

My American heroes are people like Thomas Jefferson, Susan B. Anthony, William Jennings Bryan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar E. Chavez and Robert F. Kennedy. These patriots all shared a vision – shaped by the times in which the lived – that our nation should always be looking for ways to expand our democracy. It is that experience of growth that has set our nation apart and at different points in world history made it a beacon of hope.

Since September 11th it has been popular during a new grief-inspired wave of patriotism to invoke the name of God as if God supported America alone during times of peril. “God Bless America” is uttered in nearly every political speech. “God bless our troops” is a popular bumper sticker. It is one thing to ask for God’s blessing in our grief, but Christians should know better than to invoke the name of God in moments of nationalist pride. That is just what some have done during the war with Iraq. God is the ally of all people.

As Christians, we are called by God to love our country by seeking to improve it and in shared sacrifice and partnership to improve the lot of the entire world. “May God Bless This Earth” would be a better statement for us to make in these times of war and deep world-wide economic poverty.

Our patriotism should never overshadow our faith in God. It is written:

"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

- Matthew 22:36-40 (NRSV)

What should we celebrate this Fourth of July? Celebrate that the people of this nation throughout history have struggled to right the wrongs of the past and to make life better. Celebrate that there are still people today who seek, as God requires, to do justice. As patriots, we can both love our country for what it is and what it still should be.

Patriotism can be wonderful, inspiring, uplifting, and unifying. But we should never forget that we are all children of God. After we sing “God Bless America” this Fourth of July weekend it might be a good idea to remember this by also signing “This Is My Song” (New Century Hymnal 591).

This is my song, Oh God of all the nations,

A song of peace for lands afar and mine.

This is my home, the country where my heart is;

Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine.

But other hearts in other lands are beating

With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean.

And sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine:

But other lands have sunlight, too, and clover,

And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.

O hear my song, O God for all the nations,

A song of peace for their land and mine.

Happy 4th of July.