Secularism Is Not a Requirement of Patriotism
This Christian celebrates and honors the meaning of the Fourth of July. July 6, 2023 11:15 am ET Fireworks over a church. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto In “Christians Err if They Give Up on America” (Houses of Worship, June 30), D.G. Hart writes, “On the Protestant side, self-described Christian nationalists such as Stephen Wolfe and Doug Wilson are also, by a similar logic, implicitly critical of July Fourth festivities.” Mr. Hart writes this about me despite several decades’ worth of articles in which I celebrate and honor the meaning of the Fourth of July. I would be quite unable to calculate the amount of money I have spent on fireworks for my kids and grandkids, while also instructing them to chant, “Down with the House of Hanover!” I am at a loss as to what I must do to get my patriot card renewed. If I had to gu
Fireworks over a church.
Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto
In “Christians Err if They Give Up on America” (Houses of Worship, June 30), D.G. Hart writes, “On the Protestant side, self-described Christian nationalists such as Stephen Wolfe and Doug Wilson are also, by a similar logic, implicitly critical of July Fourth festivities.” Mr. Hart writes this about me despite several decades’ worth of articles in which I celebrate and honor the meaning of the Fourth of July. I would be quite unable to calculate the amount of money I have spent on fireworks for my kids and grandkids, while also instructing them to chant, “Down with the House of Hanover!” I am at a loss as to what I must do to get my patriot card renewed.
If I had to guess, it would probably be necessary for me to sign off on Mr. Hart’s peculiar vision for secularism, in which Americanism and secularism are simply equated. But seeing how secularism has lost its way and doesn’t understand the differences between boys and girls anymore, I am not sure this is a wise equation.
Douglas Wilson
Senior minister, Christ Church
Moscow, Idaho
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