Patriotism

Ask a 70 year old what his favorite song is and he'll likely respond with an old patriotic favorite like, "Grand Old Flag" or "America, the Beautiful."

Don't believe me? Grab a 70-year-old (be gentle) and ask 'em! As a general rule, patriotism runs very deep in the heart of their generation. This has since changed hasn't it?

Many churches have abandoned singing these patriotic songs even on our country's national holidays, fearing that somewhere along the way we crossed the line and began worshipping our country and it's values, instead of our Creator and His values; perhaps a fair point.

Many teachers are reluctant to encourage patriotism or even celebration of the victorious moments in our country's history out of fear of instilling American ethnocentrism in our young people. The perspective from which much of the history being taught in schools has changed drastically from how it was taught even a generation ago, and many agree that important facts are being omitted from these important stories of our past.

No doubt, our past is not without it's mistakes. Our inflated American sense of self has caused trouble several times throughout our history.

But I wonder...can we instill a sense of patriotism in today's young people without growing an ethnocentric generation? Can you be outrageously patriotic, but also global-minded, level-headed and clear thinking? I hope so. And finally, am I the only one sensing that many people now view patriotism and ethnocentrism as synonymous?