Patriotism is not merely a sentimental bond to a nation. It is a virtue in the spiritual will of the human soul. Without patriotism, our hearts would suffer an empty void. Patriotism is a kind of piety, which is a part of justice. Justice demands that we give to others their due. Religion, for instance, is the part of justice whereby we give to God His due. Piety is giving to our parents and country their due, but that debt can never be fully paid. Just as we owe our existence to our parents, so too, our life depends on our country, and therefore, we owe our complete allegiance in return. Patriotism requires loyalty and reverence.
One can sin against patriotism, however, by excess or defect. The vicious excess is nationalism or jingoism. Such national elitism was far more common in the early half of the 20th century. Indeed, it is what motivated the Nazi Party of Adolf Hitler and other fascists.
On the other hand, the vicious defect is cosmopolitanism, which is to consider oneself simply as a citizen of the world. Today, that popular ideology is widely accepted and promoted. Its moto is ubi bene (or panis) ibi patria. In other words, our home is wherever life is good.
Because cosmopolitans have lost the virtue of patriotism and a sense for the middle, they imagine that Trump or anyone else to the right of them is another Hitler, and therefore, a racist too. Actually, extreme cosmopolitans are similar to extreme nationalists inasmuch as they both desire worldwide domination. Both are equally intimidating to moderate and upright patriots.
Our republic is pluralistic, recognizing the rights of all, regardless of religion or sex. Bill Clinton’s One America Initiative fostered and embraced diversification, but diversity is not an end in itself. In fact, rapid diversification can disintegrate a society if it is not balanced by equivalent adaptation fostering an integral culture. That is one reason why immigration must be regulated and also why Muslim immigrants cannot demand sharia law.
In his reasonable dissent, Chief Justice William Rehnquist said that, “the flag is not simply another ‘idea’ or ‘point of view’ competing for recognition in the marketplace of ideas.” Indeed, it represents the United States of America to which all Americans are indefinitely indebted. For the same reason, it is wrong to deface currency. As an act of patriotism, I ordinarily bend over to pick up a penny. Burning a flag is akin to stepping on a Crucifix. Although it’s not really Jesus on the Cross, it represents Him. Likewise, burning a flag is a profane sacrilege, and that’s why lawyers use the term “desecration.”
God Himself allots the nations and appoints His angelic princes to direct them, so to dishonor our country and its symbols is an affront to its inherent sacredness. In fact, God has greatly blessed America. Who dares to curse it? May the Lord, then, infuse patriotism directly into our souls, for, as President Trump said in his inaugural speech, “When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.”