Posts tagged military

I’m not sure people can identify it accurately. Dictionary.com says simply:

devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country; national loyalty.

But I can’t begin to tell you how many people associate Christian with patriotism, especially when discussing the use of IN GOD WE TRUST on our money or UNDER GOD in our pledge. And then there’s those American as apple pie, or if you dislike hot dogs that’s downright un-American!

Believe it or not, this isn’t another atheist post. I’m more interested in what people really feel one needs to do to prove their love, support and defense of their country.

I think serving in the military proves patriotism, though not everyone can/will do that.

I think serving your community proves patriotism, though few people do that.

I think standing proudly, hand over heart and reciting the Pledge of Alliegance (with or without “under god”) proves your patriotism.

I think challenging your politicians to make changes when laws are out-dated and unfair proves your patriotism.

Standing up for those less able, less fortunate, or weaker proves you’re American.

It’s not pushing your agenda on everyone else. It’s not forcing people to abide by your rules. It’s not zero tolerance. It’s not gun control (which I’m actually somewhat in favor of) or anti-choice ( which I can’t abide) or immigration reform (which I’m actually on both sides of the fence about.)

Freedom of speech – but please have something positive to say. (I know, I know, coming from the ultimate negativian)

Freedom of religion – but also freedom from religion.

Should every adult American have to read the Constitution and Bill of Rights, then pledge their allegiance to America? Maybe. Maybe that would solve a lot of arguments. Oh sure we learn about these documents in elementary school along with everything else we learn. I don’t think kids fully understand the importance of these documents to our country when it’s just another boring chapter in their social studies class. Saying words by rote every morning tends to make them less effective and important, doesn’t it? Maybe if we established some timeline where you hit adulthood and you have to take a single class, read and understand these documents/rights and swear yourself to America, THEN and only THEN do you have the right to vote or run for office or even have a valid opinion.

I distinctly remember my swearing in ceremony when I enlisted in the Air Force in friggin’ 1979. I remember how serious they, and therefore I, took the whole ceremony.

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

And yes, I distinctly remember being instructed that I did NOT have to say so help me god if chose not to, and I didn’t. But what it did, what the whole ceremonial swearing did, was show me the importance of pledging and honoring my word. Up til then nothing had made me stop and think about my country and my freedoms. Maybe everyone should have to have a moment like that.

So… I don’t know. I think it would be a really good and useful thing. I think it would be like a pay-attention slap on the face to everyone – in a good way. Or maybe just printing out and hand-delivering a copy of the constitution and bill of rights to every doorstep in America would help. They can do it with useless phone books, why not something infinitely more useful?

And maybe throw in what’s written at the Statue of Liberty while we’re at it.

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free;
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless,
Tempest-tossed to me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

I believe America should take in the huddled masses from everywhere else, BUT there needs to be an organized system, taking in the neediest of the neediest, and those that can contribute, while stopping the unregulated flow of resource-sucking illegal… nevermind, ‘nother post. Something I need to work on in myself.

Would you be offended if you were asked to officially swear yourself to your country? Okay, so I know most of my readers already have a decent grasp of the constitution, but think about the average person. Or do you think your freedoms include not being asked to officially affirm your love, support, and defense to your country?