The glue that holds a nation together

Recently on WorldNet Daily, an article arguing that patriotism was the glue that held a nation together was published. http://www.wnd.com/2013/03/this-is-glue-that-holds-america-together/

 It is the product of American militarism and , although not without merit or interest, is wrong in its initial assumptions. I posted a reply which was ignored. Usually, a disssenting opinion is heaped with abuse and the occasional reasoned reply - par for the course on the internet. Perhaps they couldn't think of an answer, we shall see. Here is the posting:

Rephrasing the title slightly so that I can answer it, "This is the glue that holds the UK together". I will have to say, " No, it is not". Bear with me and I think that you will agree at least to some extent. Love of country is good. We should care for those around us, but once we take America out of the equation and put in other nations we can see that the statement is dubious. We may love our country but not its regime. Some parts of the world are hard to live in let alone love. A country that is hard to live in needs a concerted effort by its citizens to make it worth living in. Love of neighbour is not the same as love of country but it can make a country worth loving. Of course, love of neighbour is powered by love of God, and not just any God. Take a look at the countries that love Allah and pity their people - and pray for them. I quote from the sermon of Justin Welby ArchBishop of Canterbury's enthronement sermon; 

"For more than a thousand years this country has to one degree or
another sought to recognise that Jesus is the Son of God; by the
ordering of its society, by its laws, by its sense of community.
Sometimes we have done better, sometimes worse. When we do better
we make space for our own courage to be liberated, for God to act
among us and for human beings to flourish. Slaves were freed,
Factory Acts passed, and the NHS and social care established
through Christ-liberated courage. The present challenges of
environment and economy, of human development and global poverty,
can only be faced with extraordinary courage."

And also:

"Today we may properly differ on the degrees of state and private
responsibility in a healthy society. But if we sever our
roots in Christ we abandon the stability which enables good
decision making. There can be no final justice, or security, or
love, or hope in our society if it is not finally based on
rootedness in Christ. Jesus calls to us over the wind and storms,
heed his words and we will have the courage to build society in
stability."

The whole sermon is worth reading here: http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/a...

The Gospel of Jesus Christ made the UK great and worth loving. The same gospel blessed the USA and other nations. THIS is the glue that holds any and all nations together. When we forget that we make idols of Crowns, Flags, Armies, people and presidents; and we forget it at our peril.