Well, patriotism seems to be bred in the bone in New England. But amongst theologians, it doesn't run as deep. In fact, they regard it as a decidedly mixed bag. Patriotism can go wrong so easily, you see. If it becomes something like nationalistic pride, it turns very quickly into idolatry, as most wars demonstrate very clearly, and certainly World War II did.
People make a god of their own country and of their national identity.
On some level, they figure that they derive their life and their salvation from their country. But Christians should be able to avoid that mistake. For we can claim that our first citizenship isn't even American, that all of us are resident aliens, citizens of heaven, subjects of the Kingdom of God first. And after that, citizens of the United States. For Christians, patriotism that tries to rival faith must be seen as spiritually unhealthy.