Do You Love Our Country?

Much is being said online these days about terrorism, illegal immigrants, refugees, and open vs. closed borders. Everyone everywhere has an opinion (even me!). I came across this excerpt written by Benjamin Rush in 1773. He analyzed the virtues associated with patriotism, love for fellow man, and moral and religious duty. I thought his words were timely and inspirational.

To His Fellow Countrymen

"Patriotism is as much a virtue as justice, and is as necessary for the support of societies as natural affection is for the support of families. The Amor Patriae is both a moral and a religious duty. It comprehends not only the love of our neighbors but of millions of our fellow creatures, not only of the present but of future generations. This virtue we find constitutes a part of the first characters in history. The holy men of old, in proportion as they possessed a religious[n] were endowed with a public spirit. What did Moses forsake and suffer for his countrymen! What shining examples of Patriotism do we behold in Joshua, Samuel, Maccabeus, and all the illustrious princes, captains, and prophets amongst the Jews! St. Paul almost wishes himself accursed for his countrymen and kinsmen after the flesh. Even our Savior himself gives a sanction to this virtue. He confined his miracles and gospel at first to his own country."

Amor Patriae: Love of One's Country

In my motherly opinion, in a time when we are debating whether or not to let refugees into our country, it seems necessary that we ask those needing refuge, "Do you love our country?"

Our melting-pot society is blended with varying religions and philosophical spirits of opinion. However, I relate to the sentiment expressed above in that our public spirit (patriotism) and moral spirit (religion) should have in the end the goal of demonstrating our love of country and our love and support of fellow citizens. Patriotism for a cause or for a religion that does not reflect life and liberty is not true patriotism or true religion.

Bennett, William J. "On Patriotism." The Spirit of America. Simon & Schuster, 1997, p. 41.