In this light, I've come to see "patriotism" in the US sense as a secular religion. Consider: * The Pledge of Allegiance as a prayer * The Constitution and D

In this light, I've come to see "patriotism" in the US sense as a secular religion. Consider: * The Pledge of Allegiance as a prayer * The Constitution and Delcaration of Indepence as scripture * The Federalist Papers and other writings as apocrypha * The flag's design as a religious symbol * The physical flag as an idol * The courts as clergy This view is further reinforced by how Islam mixes the political and religious spheres. In many cases, the clergy act as courts. The flag of Saudi Arabia and many other Islamic countries include religious symbols.