Do Christians need to be patriotic in order to be godly?

[Ancient of Days]

we are all citizens of this world technically, however hebrews 11:13 is accurate "we are temporary residents in the land", likewise our purpose then is to remain nuetral as Jesus and his followers did. Jesus rejected the throne when the jews tryied to make him king on earth, he knew precisely why he was here, not for a temporary government... Jesus came to make known a kingdom flawless in its ways and one that isnt temporary nor will its citizens by any means be temporary...

[hebrews_beauty]

There is a difference between being worldy and participating in affairs affecting your world. While I think singing patriotic songs at church is kind of silly, I do believe fully that Christians should actively be voting and otherwise giving a voice on the issues being dealt with by our government. To say it's "worldy" to stand up and do something about what's affecting our world, to me, is un-Christlike.

[Ancient of Days]

it is very important to note through all of this that people being part of taking sides, having their input on government or worldly affairs is nothing new going back even into Jesus' day. there is no account of Jesus or any of his followers taking part in any of the government or affairs of the world. it is made very clear all over the bible that the ruler of the world (including but not limited to governments of the world) is satan so dealing in any of the worlds affairs is a very bad idea...

[Ovedya]

it is very important to note through all of this that people being part of taking sides, having their input on government or worldly affairs is nothing new going back even into Jesus' day. there is no account of Jesus or any of his followers taking part in any of the government or affairs of the world. it is made very clear all over the bible that the ruler of the world (including but not limited to governments of the world) is satan so dealing in any of the worlds affairs is a very bad idea...

So why not be Amish?

[darkest_red]

Everyone thinks they live in the greatest country in the world

I don't!

I personally don't see much that's great about any country. My allegiance is with God and the body of Christ is where my loyalty is, not some geographical location where I reside.

I agree!

[Ovedya]

Did Jesus love Jerusalem, or not?

[BlindSeeker]

Act 22:27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

Act 22:28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

Just as Paul was a Roman...I am an American..

Paul acknowledged his birth as a Roman to address the centurion of the fact that he was about to break Roman law. Had this happen the chief captain and centurion could had been severely disciplined, not being a "free born" Romans. He did not utilize his "citizenship" to exercise his "rights." This worked to give him audience with a great number of Jewish leaders (both Sadducees and Pharisees) where Paul gave witness to Christ.

Plus later, when

[BlindSeeker]

Did Jesus love Jerusalem, or not?

Did Jesus love Jerusalem because it was His country (wave the Israeli flag) . . . or because it was the place chosen by God from which the atonement would be made and His name go out unto the entire world?

• Ne 1:9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set My name there.
  
  Ps 98:3 He hath remembered His mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
  
  Isa 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
  
  Ac 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
  48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
  49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
  

[BlindSeeker]

So why not be Amish?

Because that doesn't qualify you as a Christian . . .

[tah]

I find this whole hate your country because you are not of this world baffling..

I cannot comprehend it..

I praise God for the privilege of being an American..

If I lived in Communist China and I was a Christian I would probably Praise God for my country of China and pray for her...

From the books I have read of folks persecuted by their governments they love their country but not the way the government is run..

I Pray for and love where God has planted me on this earth while I am walking through it...

I love American and will vote and sign petitions to congressmen and do what I can to keep her from sliding down the slope of amorality...

if she falls completely I will still thank God for her and pray for her because it is where God has me..

And I believe it is the Christian thing to do...

1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Col 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Rom 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.