Does the policy platform promote justice for all or some?

Nationalism and patriotism: How might these “isms” be handled from a Catholic perspective?

To what extent are Catholics, or Christians more generally, called to love their country? Can Christian discipleship experience conflict with civic duties? Can a religion become identified with a nation in potentially dangerous ways? Are there political implications for those who act under the influence of the love of Christ?

The online Britannica encyclopedia defines nationalism as an “ideology based on the premise that the individual’s loyalty and devotion to the nation-state surpass other individual or group interests.”

The Encarta dictionary includes in its definition of nationalism a reference to “excessive or fanatical devotion to a nation and its interests…with a belief that one country is superior to all others.” But it also refers to patriotism as “proud loyalty and devotion to nation.”

In many countries, including the United States, there are various versions of Christian nationalism.

The Britannica encyclopedia states that advocates “of Christian nationalism consider their view of Christianity to be an integral part of their country’s identity and want the government to promote—or even enforce—the religion’s position within it.” These movements do not want to see a separation of Church and State.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church has teachings that speak to the above “isms.”

It first states that citizens and civil authorities have a duty to contribute “to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity and freedom.”

Last week’s article mentioned that solidarity concerns a common humanity—regardless of ethnic, religious or national differences.

The Catechism also posits that wealthy countries “are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which [they] cannot find in [their] country of origin.”

Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza—a feminist Catholic theologian—contends that nationalist “religious movements are basically political movements that use cultural and religious traditions as symbolic border guards.”

In other words, these traditions and symbols are wielded as weapons that do not promote solidarity or justice.

Instead, they promote exclusion.

William Cavanaugh—a Catholic political theologian—makes a link between nationalism and idolatry.

Idolatry is a phenomenon rooted in the Bible and refers to the worship of images or symbols as gods.

It can involve an excessive attachment to worldly goods, values or ideas that might be contrary to God.

Cavanaugh argues that the nation becomes an idol under various forms of nationalism.

He encourages Christians to prioritize their commitment to the global Church, which transcends national and ethnic boundaries.

This involves promoting a Christian identity that follows the Gospel’s call to love all people.

The Church, after all, is not based on political borders, but on a shared commitment to Christ.

When you head to the polls next week, include the spirit of truth, justice, solidarity and freedom in your deliberations around which candidate to vote for.

Does the policy platform promote equality, solidarity and justice for all, or only some?