Patriotism?

Today, as Americans observe the 229th anniversary of Independence Day, I think back to the social climate of the late 18th century, which shaped how the founders conceived of and laid the blueprints for the future of the new American nation.

The latter part of the 18th century was a time when rational thought was overtaking old superstitions and a worldview based on piety. Philosophers of the time debated the rights of men, and the seeds of abolitionism and feminism were planted at this time, though these ideas were not to flower until many years later. It was a time that had much more in common with the 1960s, than it did with the 1950s.

Our nation’s founders did not have the hindsight of 200 years of future history to work with, thus did not guarantee all Americans equal rights at the very beginning. However, they laid down a government that would allow its basic principles to expand as society evolved. They gave us a government that looked forward, instead of backwards with tradition.

The majority of our nation’s founders were Deists, who established the separation of church and state as a core foundation of our government. They understood that government and religion both work best when they operate independently of one another.

I am certain that the founding fathers would be alarmed at the growing theocratic influence the religious right has had on our government in recent years and would fear that our nation was losing its way.

Rather than adhering to a jingoistic, “My country, right or wrong” philosophy, our patriotism would be better served by honoring the original intentions of our nation's founders.

Thoughts?