Patriotism is often seen as a modern-day virtue, a necessary part of every citizen's life. It is a way in which we can honor our country and take a certain amount of pride in being a citizen of it.
Closely connected to patriotism is the concept of nationalism, a similar view that looks very highly upon your country and seeks to bring greater attention to all the positive things that are happening within it.
However similar they may be, patriotism and nationalism are very different.
Nationalism v. patriotism
In an address to the United Nations in 1995, St. John Paul II spoke clearly about the difference between to two ideas:
[W]e need to clarify the essential difference between an unhealthy form of nationalism, which teaches contempt for other nations or cultures, and patriotism, which is a proper love of one's country.
He explains how, "True patriotism never seeks to advance the well-being of one's own nation at the expense of others. For in the end this would harm one's own nation as well: doing wrong damages both aggressor and victim."
St. John Paul II's view of patriotism echoes the words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the duties of citizens:
It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. The love and service of one's country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity. Submission to legitimate authorities and service of the common good require citizens to fulfill their roles in the life of the political community. (CCC 2239)
It is good to take pride in one's country and to uphold all the good that it contains.
Yet, it is not good to take an excessive pride in one's country, where you begin to look down at other nations as inferior. St. John Paul II explains this concept:
Nationalism, particularly in its most radical forms, is thus the antithesis of true patriotism, and today we must ensure that extreme nationalism does not continue to give rise to new forms of the aberrations of totalitarianism. This is a commitment which also holds true, obviously, in cases where religion itself is made the basis of nationalism, as unfortunately happens in certain manifestations of so-called "fundamentalism".
Nationalism can lead to totalitarianism, whereby one nation seeks to conquer others, or even subjugate their own citizens through a nationalist agenda.
As Christians, we should be patriotic about our country, but we should reject any form of nationalism that seeks to conquer others and looks down upon other people and cultures.
