Religion and Nationalism: An Inseparable Bond in Human Society

Ha ha. Awesome question. This question delves into the intricate relationship between religion and nationalism. Why is religion always trying to be related to or attempting to create nationalism? Why is religion so intimately connected to nationalism or pursuing it?

Religion, in its fundamental sense, is about seeking a deeper connection with the divine. For most people, this divine connection manifests through themselves, whether they are atheists, polytheists, or even Christians.

Religion and Human Nature

Atheists, by acknowledging their own divinity, essentially state: "I am the god who says there is no god—but me." Similarly, polytheists claim: "I am the god who gives my crown to many gods." Both positions are essentially human-centric. Even Christians must guard against making God say what they wish, as this can lead to the phenomenon of crowning God rather than bowing before Him.

Human nations are aggregations of many gods, each vying for rule. This rivalry is deeply rooted in human nature. In the absence of others, a man is divided against himself, and this extends to friendships, families, and nations.

Humanity has attempted to mitigate this struggle through democratic institutions, but democracy itself bears the hallmark of an autocracy. The false religion of following oneself seeks to create a nation where the individual holds absolute control.

Nationalism as a Form of Religion

Nationalism can be viewed as a religion, one that supports the individual’s pursuit of self. It promotes the idea that a nation should exist to serve the individual, not the other way around.

Considering the biblical narrative, particularly the earlier parts of Genesis, human beings naturally aggregate to form groups and then nations. This tendency is so common that God had to intervene at the Tower of Babel. Yet, God does not condemn the building of nations. Instead, He seeks to guide it. God anoints individuals and promises to make them the father of many nations.

Christianity, specifically, has always emphasized the importance of forming a nation, a holy nation. Jesus Christ preached the “Kingdom of God is at hand,” and His disciples were instructed to spread this message. Even the great commission by Christ asserts ultimate authority and a call to declare Him as King.

The Christian Perspective

Christianity stands out among other religions because it focuses on a god-centered rather than individual-centered pursuit. Christians are forbidden from building their own nation, as Moses and Abraham did not seek the pleasures of Egypt, treating this world like a tent. They wait for the city brought by God through Jesus Christ.

For Christians, if your nation, culture, or whatever pulls you away from God’s heart, you must abandon it. If you love your country more than God, you have embraced Egypt and abandoned the Promised Land. This love for the world leads to hatred for those who disagree and unwillingness to follow God’s path.

Those who love the world express love for the world's father, the devil, which is incompatible with serving God. Babylon, the nation in which you reside, thrives on innocent blood. God will bring justice to those who belong to this nation. The Kingdom He brings is built on innocent blood that cries out for mercy, urging Christians to embrace love and mercy.

Revelations 20:1-8

"Next, I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, 'Look, I am making all things new.' He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more; mourning, and crying, and pain shall no longer exist, for the former things have passed away. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death."

For Christians who read this, a warning: Examine your life. If you love your country, city, family, or yourself more than God, you have chosen Egypt over the Promised Land. Like Esau, you have sold your birthright for a fleeting moment that feels eternal. This is the reason for your hatred toward politicians or your engagement in tribalism. The world is a temporary tent; those attached to it will be folded up and burned. Do not love the world, as those who love the world love the world’s father, the devil.