It’s Independence Day, meaning flags are flying high and fireworks will fill the sky tonight.

But does patriotism have a place only at Fourth of July picnics, or does it also have a connection to faith? The News-Press asked some St. Joseph Christians to share their thoughts:

Dr. Scott Killgore, pastor of Wyatt Park Christian Church

We’ll hear the phrase “God Bless America” a lot this weekend. I suggest saying it differently, “God, I thank you for blessing America.” As I look at the beauty of this land, the richness of its natural resources, the favorable climate, and the potential of the people, I am in awe. God has blessed America. And he continues to do so each day.

Three responses come to mind as we think of how God has blessed America. The first is thanksgiving. Thank God for the ways he has blessed our nation, and you. The second response is to live as God would have us live, meaning a life of love. When asked which commandment is greatest, Jesus combined two. Part of his answer came from Leviticus 19:18, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Imagine how our nation would be transformed if we genuinely did that. But, the first part of his answer was that we should love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and strength. That’s our third response to what God has done.

The apostle Paul wrote, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Good advice for July 4, and every day.

Roxanne Dale, member of Christ Episcopal Church

As a person of faith and a patriot, I fear any connection between patriotism and religion. The “God is on our side but not the other guy’s” attitude has caused more wars, cruelty and misery than any other slogan we’ve come up with as a species. I pray for our country to use its brains and wealth to become exemplars in solving humanity’s problems, beginning with our own. America’s founders separated church and state as a basis for our democracy, to prevent fuzzy thinking as we grew into a world power. As loyal citizens, the most patriotic act we can do now is to think rationally and objectively, realizing we are just one part of a very overcrowded, noisy planet whose people mostly think very poorly or not at all.

Dr. Anthony L. Byrd Sr., pastor of the First Baptist Church in Elwood, Kan.

When it comes to religion and patriotism, we will find that there is a correlation between the two. As we celebrate our country’s independence, we recognize and honor those patriots who made our liberty possible. They were loyal and devoted to the cause of freedom, and many demonstrated this to the point of shedding their own blood and giving their lives for the liberty and independence that we celebrate today.

In the Christian religion, we recognize Jesus Christ as our patriot of patriots, whose love, loyalty and devotion resulted in the shedding of his own blood and dying on the cross for our liberty. He died that we might be free from the bondage of sin and Satan’s power, and because of his resurrection, we can have victory over death, hell and the grave, by way of the gift of eternal life that Christ offers to whosoever would believe on him: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Therefore, we celebrate not only our freedom as Americans, but also our freedom as Christians. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Happy Independence Day!

Lifestyles reporter Erin Wisdom can be reached at ewisdom@npgco.com.