Patriotism: The new religion?

Many of us during the course of our daily routine make it a point to digest some portion of what the news media provides us as current events. I know I do. I have come to depend on my cable news in particular, as an add-on and compliment to newspapers, periodicals, web based outlets, local affiliate programming and plain, old conversation. I believe it provides a well-rounded basis for actually forming an opinion about the world at large. I even apply this same accolade to the "op-ed" variant of news programming we see so prominently now. I watch those whom I agree with and even those I don't, because as stated above, well rounded opinions are the goal.

There is a trend afoot in cable news that I have seen for some time now, but marvel lately at how much "traction" it has gotten. We have all been witness to "post 9/11" politicization of religion, whether it be one of the "big 3" (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) or other belief systems, as they affect those who adhere to them. Paramount to this marriage of political and religious ideologies for those of us on U.S. soil is the view by many (particularly within the conservative and neo-conservative realm of socio-political theory) is the line one walks when equating one's patriotism with one's adherance to Christianity. An ancillary aspect of those who embrace this way of thinking is the viewpoint of those operating outside the "Judeo-Christian" construct as somehow "other" or "alien".

I wish to state outright that this is not a criticism of Christianity. Christianity is a source of great inspiration and the journey to know the true nature of Jesus (Yeshua Ben Yosef) is one of profound illumination to each who undertakes it. My criticisms are leveled at what I observe as widespread abuse and perversion of Christian imagery, nomenclature and language, as well as the sacred and prophetic message of Jesus for political and monetary gain, as well as social control and manipulation.

Those who want a quick illustration have only to recall the 2008 Presidential Race and the coverage of President Obama (then Senator Obama and Presidential candidate) and the portraits painted of him and his family being something less than patriotic and...well...un-American, because of something such has his name. There is still a markedly negative tone amongst those who use the President's full name (Barack Hussein Obama) as opposed to just using the middle initial (à la George W. Bush, John F. Kennedy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, et al). His Arabic name (meaning quite appropriately, "handsome one") is the one which invariably garners the attention and focus in their references and tone and serves to reinforce the insidious implication that he is still somehow not quite working for the "average" (White, Christian) American and perhaps has a "radical" agenda (an oblique reference at his having Islamic sensibilities and the suggestion that this is somehow related to "radical Islam", extremism and terrorists-hence...evil). This line of thinking often walks the hair-thin line between actual patriotism and xenophobia and often (as of late) leans hard in one direction. This is the same train of thinking that puts "In God We Trust" on currency (possible form of idol worship?), or incites a president to declare an illegal war (because "God told him to") and call such a "crusade." This term (crusade) invokes the historical imagery of the marauding, Islamic warrior during the Christian crusades and likens this image with the prevalent, archetypical Al-Qaeda extremist, both yelling "Allah u Akbar" (literally translated from Arabic as "God is great") at the outset of their actions.

The announcement of President Obama's trip to various Arab countries and upcoming speech to the Muslim world during said trip inspired those on the "God and country" side of the aforementioned proverbial "line" to go on the attack. Many fault President Obama for being humble and apologetic when addressing those in the Islamic world, or pursuing diplomacy (with Iran in particular) as they feel this only emboldens those who have America in their crosshairs. This is a matter of perspective and a debate for a related article, but important in illustrating the mindset at issue. In their criticisms, great steps have also been taken amongst conservatives in the media to use language designed to paint those in and of Arab and Islamic countries as somehow inherently anti-American and the Islamic way of life as diametrically opposite the American way of life. The continued, purposeful mention in the media of Islam or muslims in the same breath and with the same contempt as extremists or "terrorists" foments the overall perception that there is no differentiation to be made: "They" hate and wish to destroy "us" and "we" must stop "them" at all costs. This thought process then expands and labels EVERY muslim as a terrorist to be feared, hated, loathed, fought and destroyed, but never understood from a basic, human perspective. This fear of Arabs and Islam as a whole (particularly as Americans fight and die in Arab countries) drives the current wave of Christian fundamentalism, aided by the prominence of the Evangelical Right in American social and political life. This same thought process paints the average American as "Christian" and largely set upon on all sides by those who are against "basic American (Christian) values" because they may disagree with them, or see those in Arab countries (whatever their religious affiliation) as human beings worthy of consideration and self-determination. This encourages amongst many a kind of de facto, state-sponsored, Christian dogma, with all it's associated assertions. This kind of absolutist philosophy and ideology in government and social agendas is what makes many in America guilty of precisely the extremism they criticize, repudiate and condemn in Taliban controlled regions of the world. American extremism and Christian extremism is just as abhorrent as Islamic extremism or Zionist extremism or racist extremism...and no less horrifying.

The greatest challenge moving forward to Americans as a whole seems to be to find commonality with one another. As long as the needs and desires of certain groups are seen as predominant over those of other groups (socially, racial, religious, political, etc) the "American Dream" shall remain such. When America's contrived inequities can be addressed effectively, and brought to light with the basic understanding that all people want to be regarded and respected, the world will look to the American example. This actually goes back to the basic tenets common to all popular religious beliefs, as well to the living examples of all great, iconic, religious figures.

Let's all say a prayer, shall we?