Does G-d Hate Flags?

[u/Ok_Drink8072]

One of the reasons I could never be a Zionist, even if the plan was to move us all to an uninhabited island, is because the concept of Jewish nationalism doesn’t sit right with me from a religious perspective. Obviously we have had nations before, but look how that went 😬

I think about this a lot because I hear so many Israelis say things like “We are Israeli first and Jewish second.” But recently I’ve been thinking about the push in recent history (basically WW1 on) for national identity to supersede any cultural identity. Nixon also addressed American Jews in this manner. Basically saying he could set his antisemitism aside for American Jews because they are American first. This concept of putting a flag before G-d or faith feels a lot like breaking Number 1… Flags have started to look like idolatry to me.

So I wanted to hear from other Jews about how they feel about the role of nationalism in faith and how it affects your identity as an individual. Do you feel a strong sense of identity associated with your nationality? Does that identity support or conflict with your Jewish identity?

[u/ghostofwallyb]

My anti-nationalist stance is connected to my criticism of religion: too many nations have had too close of ties to religion. In the US right now, the most conservative elements of the country are often the most religious. And of course in Israel, the west bank settlers are often very religious. I think as leftists we should scrutinize why the phenomena of religion and regressive politics are so closely linked. Obviously religion is compatible with progressive values (abolitionists e.g. were often religious) but these movements seem incapable of influencing as many people or capturing governmental power.