The Irish standard., 1903-03-21
A View of Patriotism,

studied the popular idea of patriotism,
both as a sentiment and as Il practical
truth. My conclusion is that there ex.
lists great deal of misapprehension,
and l feel prompted at this time of
special patriotic fervor to present my
views. l invite, and even challange,
any of your readers who do not agree
with me to prove that l am in error.
l. There is not in any part of the
Bible even sentence that requires or
justities patriotism"
2. The sentiment called by this
name, like the word which expresses
it, is probably of heather origin.
3. The usual definition of patriot.
ism is love of country" The man
who seeks to learn what this phrase
means and to carry out it's teachings
ill his life attempts hopeless task.
4. 1t is an exaggerated form of
selfishness, and is one Of the devils
most successful devices to deceive and
mislead the human race.
5. 1t is, in fact, a delusive method
Of inducing a violation of the Sixth
Commandments shalt not kill''
and is practically in opposition to
the spirit of the other nine.
6. Ministers and others who teach
the coordinate obligation of religion
and patriotism have no warrant in
reason or Scripture, and the practice
largely accounts for the diminished
moral tone and tendency to skepticism
among the people.
Z. The religious organization which
sends missionaries to foreign nations
to preach the gospel of peace and good
will and the duty of self surrender
and obedience to God, and rests it's
claims for support OH the value of the
human soul, and at the same time ap-
proves of and advises it's members to
enlist for war, occupies a position so
as to be essentially grotesuue.
8. No man has a right to risk his
own life, which is trust for which
an account must be rendered, except
in the effort to benefit his fellow men.
8. The claims of the State are in
ferior to the claims of God, and
should be regulated by our relations
and obligations to Him.
10. The continued life and pros
perity of nations depends primarily
and indispensably upon Righteousness.
II. No government has right to
make a training for war a fixed en-
ployment for it's citizens, and every
man who thus devotcs his life violates
divine law and jeopardizes his happi-
ness for eternity.
-. The maintenance of a navy, eN-
ccpt for police purposes, such as may
be required to suppress piracy or
other open violations of human and
divine law, cannot be justified.
10. 1t follows that the study of the
art of war in military and naval acad-
emies has demoralizing influence
and that the tendency is to blunt the
moral perception and unfit men who
pursue it for useful lives.
II. It is a disgrace to Christian
1,n yx.1,o oil i,,
the deceptive arts and brutal destruc-
ton of life. limb and property in
volved in war should be hailed as
treated with exceptional
honor and often placed in high official
positions.
10. This high estimate of the merit
and proper reward for military serv-
ice disparages self-denying men and
women who consecrate their lives to
the effort to lift up and save their
fellOw-men, and makes a false stand
ard of excellence.
1G. 1t places brute force above
moral worth, fosters worldliness and
low ideals. and ignores the fact that
Il man is to be judged by mind and
heart, and that what he thinks and
how much he loves is the true test
of worth.
II. a nation that maintains a
great army and navy to be indispens-
able for protection disregards the
Bible requirement of trust in and de-
pendence on God. and eventually will
reap a harvest of disappointment and
10. The teaching of patriotism" in
public schools is illogical and harm
full and will lower the tone of citizen
ship with the coming generation. The
salutation offered piece Of bunting
called the Flag is form Of idolatry.
IRIsH2S % % %
10. The true patriot interprets
Glove of country" to signify love for
the people who are in it. He will eX-
press llllS lecllHS w d epeSitli lh'CiSS'
in their welfare and effort to make
them the purest, noblest and happiest
among the nations of the earth. This
love will necessarily expand into a
world love, for all men have a
common origin, need, nature and
destiny.
JOHN G. HAVENIEYER,
Yonkers. n. V. 1908.
New Bishop of Los Angeles.
An Associated Press dispatch states