The Virtue of Patriotism
Like millions of others I watched with joy as the miracle rescue of the Chilean miners unfolded last week. For 69 days these men were trapped under 2,000 feet of rock. And they survived. And a nation rejoiced…and the world rejoiced right along with them.
So many stirring images, so much courage, and faith, and love, and will to live. Funny how these fundamental virtues can unite so many. But the virtue that was perhaps missed in all the celebrating was the virtue of Patriotism.
Patriotism is a virtue? Indeed! St. Thomas Aquinas considered it “a duty one owes” to country, recognizing the good provided by, and the universal ideals supported through, a nation…always worth sacrificing for.
What a moment, listening to President Sebastian Pinera tell the miners, “You are not the same, and the country is not the same after this,” and then spontaneously leading the crowd in the singing of the Chilean national anthem. This was Patriotism in its purest form. Everyone, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, respectful of individual differences, and focused on the celebrating of what is best about one’s country, and what is best about humankind. Pride isn’t always a deadly sin!
Patriotism is too often confused with ultra-nationalism, which starts with a condescending “we’re better than you” attitude, and ends up dividing and alienating. Patriotism as a virtue rises above politics, and superficial slogans, and 15 second sound bites, and honors what is best, what is good and true, what is worth living and dying for, and what is worthy of emulation in one’s country.
What is worthy of emulation? Virtue. Heroic efforts at being good, courageous, generous, kind, patient. You’ll know an act is truly patriotic, virtuous, and not just political, when both the person and his or her country is made better by it. And when people and countries do good, the world becomes a better place.
I think I became Chilean for a brief time last week, watching those beautiful people singing their national anthem, celebrating life and all the ways their country supported life. And I’m a better American for it.
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About Me
- Ross Porter
- Dr. Ross Porter received his B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his Master of Divinity (Theology) and Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology) degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary, where he first became interested in the integration of psychology and spirituality. He is a teacher, author, counselor, and consultant, specializing in integrative psychology, virtue ethics and family systems. He has taught at the high school, college, and graduate school levels. Ross is also the Founder and Executive Director of Stillpoint Family Resources, a non-profit organization that offers counseling services to individuals, couples, and families in crisis, with nine different office locations throughout Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange Counties (specific office locations can be found at www.stillpointfamilyresources.org). In 2009, Dr. Porter was named an “Outstanding Angeleno” by the Los Angeles Daily News. Ross and his wife Jennifer have been married for 21 years, and have four beautiful children. John Michael, their son who has Down Syndrome is their first born.
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