Patriotism for Critical Thinkers

John Zehring grew up in the Philadelphia area in the shadow of early American and colonial history, which influenced his sense of and devotion to being an American. As a clergyman and an educator, he recognizes the powerful need to think critically about our patriotism. His goal as a writer is to encourage readers to weigh information evaluatively about the data they receive, whether from the podium, the pulpit, the internet, social media, the TV, family or friends.

Zehring writes “I long to interweave patriotism with critical thinking. Blind patriotism is inadequate and can sometimes become ugly. The masses who followed Adolph Hitler or Joseph Stalin were patriotic, and whose who did not follow were considered unpatriotic, often to their misfortune. I truly want to be patriotic. I listen to The Sound of Music’s ‘Edelweiss, Edelweiss, Bless my homeland forever’ and I long to sing that kind of national loyalty about the United States of America. I am happy to place my hand over my heart to pledge allegiance for our Republic to continue to try its best to provide, protect and promote liberty and justice for all, as long as “all” means no exceptions – even and especially those on the margins of our society, those most in need, those most misunderstood, disliked, bullied, victimized, and those hungering and thirsting for a safe land of the free where they can trust that they will be treated well.”

As was eloquently stated by Alexis de Tocqueville “America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” Every time we see an American flag, may it arouse in us the heartfelt pledge to pray for and to labor for our nation to be good. May those who think critically about patriotism recognize that our goal is not to make America great, but to make America good.

“Patriotism for Critical Thinkers” takes a dozen essays Zehring wrote for “The Christian Citizen,” with their permission, and combines them into this work.