I intend to give this sermon standing on one leg. This is either going to make it a very short talk, or else I’m going to make a fool of myself. My topic this morning is patriotism. It’s a risky venture for an Aussie to speak about patriotism on the 4th of July in America. Maybe you feel that I don’t have a leg to stand on. (groan!!!!!!) Well, I do, but just one. A passage in the Talmud (Shabbos 31a) says that when the famous Rabbi Hillel was asked to recite the whole law while standing on one leg, he raised one leg and said “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole law. The rest is commentary.” Any discussion on patriotism must get to the heart of the Golden Rule, and in particular the question, “Who is your neighbor” or in other words “What are the boundaries on your love and concern?”

Standing on One Leg

You no doubt have heard the riddle- Why does a stork stand on one leg? Because if it lifted the other leg, it would fall on its rump!

Consider the image of the stork standing with one leg rooted firmly on the ground, and the other leg hanging in the air as if refusing to be pinned to one place. It’s an intriguing analogy for progressive religion, life and even patriotism.

Does this resonate for your experience of religion? Progressive Christianity could be described like the stork, with one leg rooted firmly in the stories and imagery of Christianity, and the other leg transcending any overly particular view in preference for the universal wisdom that is like the air; free and unrestrained. Some of you find your resonance in the Christian tradition, and some of you find resonance in other traditions. You know that the Christian stories are not truer than other stories, not necessarily more historical nor even unique, yet they are in some sense your stories.

Progressive Religion always imitates life, and so it is in this case. You have one leg firmly rooted in a particular identity, and the other transcending any particular roles or tribes or identities in preference for an experience of oneness with all things, in all places and at all times.

Patriotism Begins With a Grounded Sense of Self

Another passage in the Talmud (Niddah 30b) seems to suggest that when babies are in the womb, they are given the whole essence of the law (Torah). Then, when they are born they forget the law. Life and human growth is a process of relearning what is already known in its essence, but has been forgotten.

Think about patriotism in terms of this process of relearning the Golden Rule, and expanding on it. There are many models for human development, but most of them share the notion that a healthy sense of other begins with a healthy sense of self. James Fowler sees the development along these lines. A child aged from 2 to 7 has one foot firmly planted in family loyalty, and the other foot reveling in the world of imaginary games and make believe. If the family is politically partisan, or particularly patriotic, then the child will likely share that same sentiment.

From age 8, the world expands beyond family and the one foot is firmly planted in stories and a literal interpretation, while the other foot dwells in an emerging ability to question contradictions. Now, if family is partisan, the child may well go the other way.

In early adulthood, identity shifts from stories to the need for approval from a group. Questioning is often put aside, as the need to belong trumps cognitive integrity. Religious and political leaders are followed almost blindly. Most people stop at this stage of development, and in relation to patriotism, plant both feet in an unquestioned loyalty to country, right or wrong. Those who do transition out of this group loyalty stage usually do so because of a bad experience with a religious or political leader. Trust is shattered, and a new self awareness cannot be stifled.

30 and 40 somethings who have developed beyond exclusive group loyalty, usually have a strong need to search out their own answers from personal experience and are willing to create a whole new framework for believing. The one leg is firmly positioned in personal experience, the other leg is drifting in and out of group membership. In terms of patriotism, 30s and 40s could go either way.

Midlife brings an amazing respect for uncertainty. Now the one leg is not so much grounded in personal certainty, as it is in mystery. Midlifers tend to reject absolute truth, but see the value in some critical group loyalty and revisiting old beliefs in the interests of social order. This is a stage captured by Woody Allen’s phrase, “To you, I’m an atheist. To God, I’m the loyal opposition.”

The last stage is a trust in universal spirit. The world is home, and the only purpose in a healthy group, religion or nation is for a transformed world. All people and events are related, so the notion of seeking the good of a nation is deemphasized in the interests of a better world. Many would say that Jesus dwelt in this stage of universal spirit.

There are other developmental models. The point is that human beings develop in predictable patterns so that the one leg is firmly rooted in a growing sense of identity in the world, a sense of self with a personality, with likes and dislikes, with skills and roles. The other leg is testing the waters for an ever widening sense of family; nuclear family, extended family, friends, nation, world, ecology etc. Humans tend to have one leg on the ground for stability, and the other leg in the air for adventure and expansiveness. Both are necessary for sustainable growth.

Does that resonate for your spiritual life?

Does it resonate for your sense of patriotism?

You have one leg firmly grounded in one culture or one nation, and the other leg exploring your oneness that crosses all boundaries of race and tribe and creed. That seems to be a healthy sense of patriotism. You resonate with the history and story of America, while at the same time understanding that the world is your family and all people, and all things are your brothers and sisters.

Patriotism begins with a healthy sense of self, expanding to a healthy sense of community, expanding to a healthy sense of nation, expanding to a healthy sense of world family, expanding to a healthy sense of cosmos (all living and non living matter). Each new and expanded sense of identity includes all that went before, rather than leaving them behind.

Patriotism Begins With Your Primary Loyalties

Should you fly the American flag? What do you think? Cathy Freeman was the first Aboriginal Australian who became a sports superstar, winning a gold medal in the 400 metre track event at the 2000 Olympics. She was also well known because at an earlier event she won gold twice. After her first win, she completed a lap of honor while draped in the Aboriginal flag. This was hugely controversial, and she received a host of criticism. After her next win, she completed a lap of honor draped in both the Aboriginal flag and the regular Australian flag. Which lap of honor was more patriotic? Where should the primary loyalties of an Aboriginal Australian lie? How is it possible for Aborigines to have a sense of national identity, when they have been prevented from having a healthy sense of group identity? In the case of Aborigines, primary identity is found in the group rituals and the dreamtime.

Patriotism is the grounding you have in one group or nation, but for a broader purpose. In a globalized world, national boundaries just aren’t that clear. For example, the national flags you fly are most likely made in China.

Patriotism is often presented as being about loyalty to your country, but this is not clear cut in a globalized culture.

The slogan “Buy America” is a flimsy notion. It may sound patriotic, but think about it. Most clothing produced in America was made in sweatshop conditions by companies that exploit immigrant labor.

Multinational corporations based in the U.S. have absolutely no loyalty to this country. They prefer to outsource jobs to low-wage countries and avoid paying taxes wherever possible. Wal-Mart, whose founder, Sam Walton, promoted the motto "Buy American," imports 60 percent of its merchandise, most of it made under sweatshop conditions.

Patriotism that is defined as loyalty to your country is not enough. Patriotism begins with a sense of national or group loyalty and has international concerns.

Patriotism for Conservative and Liberals

In last week’s Time magazine, there was a very helpful article on patriotism by Peter Beinart. He drew the distinction between the way conservatives approach patriotism and the way liberals approach patriotism.

Conservatives tend to find pride in the nation’s past achievements, overlook its shortcomings and have an unquestioned loyalty to nation. Liberals tend to be very critical of the nation’s past and see patriotism as the ideal of surpassing what went before. Liberal loyalty is to an ideal, more than the country itself.

An example of the danger of the conservative approach is this statement by Ronald Reagan. He said he wanted to be President “because I would like to see this country become once again a country where a 6 year old girl can grow up knowing the same freedom I knew when I was a six years old.” Beinart points to the irony of this statement because when Reagan was six in 1917, women and most blacks could not vote, and the anti German sentiment was so strong that many towns banned the playing of Beethoven’s music. Reagan had a nostalgic sense of freedom and a sentimental notion of patriotism. That is not enough!

Beinart makes a very important point in the article. A healthy patriotism needs to include the best and leave behind the worst of both the conservative and the liberal perspective. We need both. Healthy patriotism can be proud of the past, but not blind. Healthy patriotism also needs to be critical of the nation, and prepared to dissent, but not unforgiving. The danger of the liberal approach is that it lacks a tangible focus. It’s hard to organize and sustain group life around an ideal. The place, the land, and the history are important.

In a nutshell, healthy patriotism is a grounded sense of critical loyalty to the nation as a grounding from which you can be a responsible global citizen. Healthy patriotism is also a gracious ideal of better times to come.

Patriotism and Loyalty to God

Whatever patriotism means for you, keep in mind that it is just the one leg on the ground. Remember the other leg, the one flying free in the air. This is your spiritual essence, your love for God and for everything God loves, which is everything, and it is a love without boundaries or preference.

Matthew 22 includes the famous phrase- “Give to Ceasar what is Caesars and give to God what is Gods.” I don’t know exactly what the original intent of the phrase was, but I do know that it came as part of the early Christian movement that was testing the boundaries of loyalty to religious traditions and state rule. They had one leg in Judaism, their primary story and imagery, and one leg in their reform movement. They were also hyper critical of Roman rule.

Here is my best attempt to put the Caesar phrase into our context. Keep one leg firmly planted in your civic responsibility. Give your critical loyalty to the leaders of the country, to the systems of the country, pay your taxes and do what you can to improve the lot of your country. Never baulk if your critical loyalty will require dissent. Your dissent is part of your civic responsibility. Give to Caesar what is Caesars.

But at the same time, never forget the leg in the air- your connection to all things. Your highest loyalty is to your own heart, which is one with the heart of the universe. Give to God what is Gods.

Patriotism and Skillful Means

The phrase “skillful means” is used often in Buddhism to describe the most appropriate and wise approach to achieving the highest ideal, or the greatest good. Patriotism is worthwhile, only to the extent that it lessens suffering in the world and improves the quality of life for a great number. Beinart poses the interesting question- “Is it patriotic to wear a flag pin?” He says if you are going to participate in a group that believe that patriotism means “my country, right or wrong”, then don’t wear it. Tell them you left it at home to honor those who have had their freedom curtailed. On the other hand, if you are going to participate in a liberal gathering where patriotism means “my country, wrong or wronger”, wear your lapel and tell them you are wearing it to honor those who have fought and died in the cause of a better world.

Is it patriotic for you to wear a flag pin? It depends on the situation and your intention.
Is it patriotic to fly your flag (made in China)? It depends on the situation and your intention.

Patriotism will mean different things to different people. Use your sense of patriotism skillfully.

Patriotism is Not Enough

Loyalty to family and tribe is an evolutionary impulse. It is necessary for survival. However, you are privileged to be living at the time of an evolutionary quantum leap. You sense a kinship to so much more than family and tribe.

An amazing story was reported in 2001 of an Iranian family who were walking home after working in the fields. When they reach their tent, they discover that their 16 month old son is missing. Panic sets over them. After a full day and night missing, many begin to give up the search, but not the parents. They go high up into the mountains and search in caves. As they go into one cave, they hear a voice. Then they smell a bear, but their young son is alive, and crying. They move slowly into the cave and see the most awesome sight. They see a thick furred she-bear curled around their son, protecting him. For three days, and six miles from home, it appeared that the mother bear had been breast feeding the baby. He was in fine health.

How incredible! A mother bear stretched beyond the evolutionary impulse to care like for like. Had the bear an understanding of Jesus’ Golden Rule?

This amazing story took place around the same time that America began bombing Afghanistan. What would the world be like if humans, nations, could find the same altruism of the mother bear?
What peace would the world know if people could embrace a patriotism that begins with a grounding in national identity but stretches with compassion for all that God loves?

I can only imagine that there would be no bombing Afghanistan, and no human conflict. All people would have one leg firmly grounded in their own group identities, and the other leg stretching to include and embrace all people without boundary and without preference.