Most of American pastors mix patriotism with worship of God on Fourth of July, according to a new study by LifeWay Research.
The organization interviewed 1,000 Protestant pastors, who were either senior pastors, ministers, or priests at the churches which were randomly selected by the researchers.
"Our nation's birthday weekend celebration impacts almost 9 in 10 church services," said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. "As people remember veterans, service members and patriotism, it is natural for churches to seek to apply theology to these cultural activities."
As many as 61 percent of pastors say that July 4th is a day to infuse patriotic messages in the services to mark the day.
About 66 percent of pastors have plans to make changes in the music and content to honor America.
More senior pastors who are 65 years and older (78 percent) thought that it was important to infuse patriotic elements in worship in the July 4th week, than 18-44 year old pastors (44 percent).
Pentecostals (82 percent) were more likely than other denominations including Baptists (67 percent), Lutherans (51 percent), Methodists (50 percent), and Presbyterian/Reformed (47 percent) to think that incorporating patriotic elements in Independence Day worship was crucial.
Special ceremonies to honor America will be included by 34 percent of the pastors in the services on July 4th.
Some 62 percent said that they will remember veterans, and 53 percent will acknowledge the families who have lost loved ones who were serving in the armed forces.
About 72 percent pastors wanted to recognize military veterans and servicemen on the day.
This view was accepted in varied degrees among the different races, ages, and denominations.
As many as 90 percent African-American pastors said that acknowledging veterans and military men was important, while 70 percent white pastors thought so. Older pastors above 65 years (79 percent) affirmed this position more than those in the age group of 18-44 years (66 percent).
Again, Pentecostals (92 percent) supported this position more than Baptists (78 percent), Methodists (65 percent), and Presbyterian/Reformed church (59 percent).
Even after the Fourth of July, about 74 percent of the pastors think it is all right to display American flag in worship services all through the year.
A rather discordant finding of the study was that 53 percent of the pastors agreed that their congregation seemed to love America more than God.
This oddity was not found to be uniform around the country, but varied across different regions. Southern pastors (59 percent) were more likely than those in the Midwest (51 percent) and West (42 percent) to admit this difference in priorities.
"July Fourth recognition and remembrance may be accompanied by rebuke in some congregations," said McConnell. "A majority of pastors recognize that at times their congregation loves America more than God. That is a sharp contrast to Jesus' greatest commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul and mind."
