Dr. Fred Eichelman: Is America Losing Patriotism?
A recent Wall Street Journal poll had shocking information on the way Americans are thinking today. The number of adults prioritizing classic American values like patriotism, religious faith, and having children appears to be shrinking. The poll, conducted by independent research institution NORC, shows fewer Americans feel these traditional values are as important as they once were.
Under 40% of Americans said patriotism was “very important” to them, and a similar share said the same about religion. In 1998, when the publication first asked about these values, 70% of Americans felt patriotism was very important, and 62% felt that way about religion. The numbers for hard work, having children, and involvement in their community being “very important” have also fallen over the decades.
This does not sound like the America I grew up in and I am sure it is true of many other readers. Today our nation seems divided more than I can remember, and not just along major political party divisions. Most alarming is the lessening of interest in religion.
We must not forget the following from 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” In our world today we are facing spiritual warfare and a student of Revelation will know the end times are coming.
This writer is old enough to remember a time when Americans seemed more united than ever before. It was the war years of World War II when there was no hatred shown against people because of political, race or religious beliefs because we were all united with the goal of defending our freedom against the dictatorships of Germany and Japan. Every family was involved in supporting what my beloved old Superman comic books promoted: “Defending truth, justice, and the American Way.” I remember as a kid in early grades taking part in scrap drives, selling War Bonds, and helping my parents with what we called Victory Gardens. We even raised chickens in our back yards because of rationing needs and it seemed it was what we should do for our nation, Quoting the pledge and hearing Bible verses every morning in school was a perfectly normal thing to do.
Even the movies and radio shows had stories about the pride we should have in our nation and doing our part. Sadly, you do not see that today.
We need a national revival, to turn to God and to repent as a nation. This I believe is our only hope.
