MWR : Distortion of good

Last updated November 24.

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March 1, 2010 issue

Distortion of good

By Mark Nord Hyattsville, Md.

I wonder if the full extent of militaristic nationalism’s distortion of God’s good gift was taken into account when Goshen College decided to play the national anthem. Almost all great evils are distortions of some good thing.

The underlying good is love of place, love of landscape, love of a nurturing community. We are hard-wired to love these things.

Militaristic nationalism twists this love of place into love of, and obedience to, an organized system of violence, the nation-state. The nation-state socializes us to misidentify our love of place and community as love of the nation-state. Activities such as pledging allegiance to the flag at school and playing the national anthem at sporting events are integral parts of that socializing process.

Some countries’ anthems are a mixture of devotion to landscape, place and community as well as to the nation-state. Unfortunately, ours celebrates only militaristic nationalism.

Goshen and other Mennonite schools should play a song that celebrates the underlying good rather than the twisted distortion of it. There are many good options. If we are asked why, we can give a positive message about God’s gift of love of place rather than just saying, “We don’t . . .”

Comments

Bravo. A great letter.

- Andy AB (feb 27 at 11:35 p.m.)
The anthem of my native country is a hymn on the mountains, cathedrals and industrious people in it. Would I still sing it with my hand at my heart, in a public ritual designed as a nationalist liturgy, such as is the case before sports games? Sure not. So... it strikes me that the issue here is deeper than just a yucky text in the "Star Spangled Banner". If GC decided to repeal the decision, I'll be grateful. But if they repeal it and sing "Oh America, oh land of peaceful, kind and furry bunnies" instead, I'd be puzzled. It would entirely miss the mark, in my mind.

- Philipp Gollner (mar 3 at 1:58 a.m.)

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