From what spiritual emotion does this admiration emanate?
The military throughout history has not always been so adored. At the beginning of civilization, military force was often used to maintain control of an existing society and to dominate neighboring cultures. Up to and through the Roman Empire, the military was a constant calculation of national force and threat. Christianity was introduced to the world during the Roman Empire based on the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The movement that was birthed with the preaching of Jesus changed forever the relationship between peoples and governments. This pivotal tipping on the axis of power also changed the role of the military. Evolving from the fall of the Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire centered on religious alliances supported by military enforcement. This transition from governments ruling by military to alliances being defended by military resulted in the nation-states of Europe. European kingdoms began the era of governments existing through political alliances defended by a military. Each example of nationalism in that time was based upon the cultural purity of the peoples of the sovereign, combining religious, political and cultural treaties. The military supported the national identities based on royal bloodlines. World War I was a family feud.
In 1776, the United States of America introduced a new concept of national identity. It was based upon the premise that all rights come from God, not government. That birth is not destiny. That all men and women are born equal as to their inalienable rights for the pursuit of happiness. Government did not define cultural identity. The principles of freedom and liberty defined the purpose of government. The military emerged as a protector of rights. Liberty and freedom for every individual was the mandate of the armed forces. Nationalism, therefore, was the collective liberty of individuals enhanced by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
This unique heritage of the United States is our common bond, our gift to the world, and our national purpose.
Regardless of one’s view of Christianity, the impact that Jesus Christ had on the world in the time of the Roman Empire is undeniable. He proclaimed that he came to die for the sins of mankind. Yet, all would not be saved. Why? Because to embrace the gift of Christ’s sacrifice requires the acceptance by grace of His gift. By living out in faith the principles that He preached, one’s faith is confirmed. There is no documentation that people, upon meeting Jesus, simply said, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice,”and then went on their waywithout their life changing or recognizing a common bond among those who believed.
Christians today differ on opinions of politics in the same measure of society in general. Some are for more government, some are for less. Some want tighter borders, some want open borders. Some believe in traditional family values, others in not-so-traditional family structures. But at the end of the debate, most will recognize their compatriot in a common relationship and bond of Christian beliefs. In this common understanding, they are willing to defend each other in their basic right to define their own identity.
This past weekend, the world celebrated the Centennial of the end of World War I. Ironic in a sense because it was not the war to end all wars. It was the beginning of the end of the European political era, culminating in World War II. President Macron of France criticized President Trump for evoking what he terms “the rhetoric of nationalism.” The question becomes, if not nationalism, what is the standard of Europe from which a national identity can be molded?
When President Macron speaks of unity, what unity, with whom, and for what values, is he expressing? European elites would have us believe that they have progressed intellectually beyond the need for the crutch of organized religion. They have defaulted to the theme of the French Revolution, “the God of human reason reigns superior in our culture.”
The backdrop of the stage on which sovereign nations navigate is a tapestry of economics. Macron speaks of new military defense alliances to protect Europe without dependence upon the United States. Really? He misses the entire point and concept of the era in which he leads. Russia will not invade Europe. They haven’t the capacity to wage such a war. There is no concept in which they can formulate a reasonable strategy. Russia can execute mutually assured destruction. But this is madness as to any national objective.
China, on the other hand, is not intent on war, but is doubling down on communism as an economic strategy. Such economic policy will most certainly fail. The only way China can succeed is to eliminate the free will and ability of the West to act independently outside of their dominion. At the end of WWII, Europe escaped the horrific future of Nazism based in Berlin. The world will experience an equal dismantling and decimation of liberty at the helm of worldwide communism based in Beijing.
What then is the proper comportment for national identity based upon freedom and liberty of the individual? It is not compromise with communism. It is not expanding government control. And it is not the standardization of family values in direct defiance of the Bill of Rights.
Military veterans today carry a communal commitment in defending the Constitution of the United States of America. In their service, they are entitled for each of us to not simply say thank you and go on with our lives as if their commitment had no impact on our way of life. They deserve for every citizen to live out their faith through personal defense of the founding principles of America.
The next time you see a veteran on the street, in an airport, or at an event, give them your thanks for their service and sacrifice, and take a moment to reflect on the impact of their honor in your life.
The revolutionary idea of unalienable rights, protected without reward by the military in service of a common bond, is our nationalism.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?