Patriotism, simply defined, is devotion to one’s country. In some nations this devotion is expressed more passionately and openly than in others. But loyalty to one’s homeland is a natural and common emotion. Such patriotic feeling often lies quietly within the breast of a society and culture and may not have a highly visible expression until times of national tragedy or threat. For example, America’s patriotism sat lightly on the sleeves of a citizenry that had come to feel complacently secure within its borders, but it gained massive public display following the national threat perceived by 9/11.

A few social commentators are beginning to record what they observe to be a growing trend of anti-patriotism, especially in some of the major Western nations. One either has no conscious sense of national identity or, if one is given to lending the issue more attention, is ashamed of being American. The French reaction against the result of the recent presidential election there also indicates changing attitudes toward national political interests and social issues. Western society and culture is becoming less accepting of the constituted political processes that play a part in defining their respective countries.

This new trend raises some questions regarding the value and the future of patriotism. Is national devotion something that should be shared by all sectors of the population? To take it further, should those who claim allegiance to God be patriotic?

A patriot is one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests. This love naturally includes a large emotional element–feelings that are expressed inspired by love for one’s country. Patriotism has traditionally combined heartfelt passion with practical, hands-on contributions to national authority and interests.

Today’s informality bespeaks great changes in the national psyche. We could therefore be forgiven for concluding that patriotism has little bearing on today’s society and culture. It is becoming a nice sentiment rather than something of substance.

Patriotism of the past contained an element that is worthy of consideration. Love of country generally embraced God as the One who gave us our nation and all the benefits we enjoyed. But we have progressively separated God from country. Patriotism without love for God is more likely to be devoid of altruism, allowing self-love to overshadow responsibility and duty. Citizens who express reverence and respect toward God would also live by a code that guides social and domestic conduct. Were society and culture to follow Religion and the Bible patriotism would gain direction and substance.

The Bible is a book that outlines a way of life that is not controlled or formulated by interest groups, religious denominations or any other man-made factors. Jesus Christ did not teach against patriotism; rather, He gave it context and direction. He taught that His followers were to be subject to the authority of their country. That authority is to be respected and its laws obeyed so long as they do not conflict with His laws. Whatever is Caesar’s is to be paid to Caesar (Matthew 22:21).

If patriotism could be channeled first toward Religion and the Bible then the result would be greater love and respect for our physical country, and a more unified society and culture living more peacefully, and experiencing a more positive physical life.

Sports is an activity that is enjoyed by most of the people, be it the ones who are on field or the ones who are on the stands i.e. the spectators. A sport is a recreation and at the same time is also a healthy form of physical exercise. It relieves a person of all the tensions and botherations though on temporary basis. There are many people in the world who gain a kind of mental peace by indulging in some kind of sports. Hence sports can in the true sense of the term be termed as a multi faceted activity.

In the global world where every thing is going the commercial way, sports is not far behind. Most of the sports and the sportsmen are commercial in the sense that they indulge in sports not because of fun and skill factor, but due to the big bucks. Especially in case of sports like lawn tennis, cricket, football, rugby, baseball, and more recently wrestling or in common terms WWE, everyone related to these sports are earning huge money. These sports and the sport stars have huge fan following not just in the respective sports arena but even otherwise. There are sport stars who have very streamlined following, for example there are some who have a very strong following in the teenagers, there are others who have young girls going crazy after them, some have children as their admirers and there are still others who are popular in all the age groups.

There are various examples that can qualify the above mentioned statement. For example we can take the instance of the football star David Beckham. There are players in the field of football who are better than Beckham but still his popularity especially amongst the youngsters and the young girls is phenomenal. No wonder he is the richest footballer in the current circuit. Similar is the case with Maria Sharapova, Andre Agassi, Undertaker, John Cena, and Sachin Tendulkar. And these are just a few of the names. These names and many others are at the heights of popularity not just because of their skills and their finesse in the sports concerned but also many other factors like style, mannerisms, publicity etc. These sport personalities cease to remain confined to just the sports arena, they are no less than celebrities and that too international, with people screaming, dying and even killing for them.

This glitz and glamour however, is not always everlasting. There are many who die with all the honours and respect and there are still others who die in oblivion. For the latter half of the sportsmen it’s not just death in oblivion, but even their life after retirement becomes a living hell. These are the sportsmen who are quite used to all the furore, pomp and glory and suddenly with their retirement or their downfall all these ornaments also wear down. These people can’t tackle the sudden turn around of fortunes and as a result they sink deep into depression. There are examples of players who are diagnosed with instances of depression or even deeper abnormalities like Alzheimer’s disease. They find it difficult to accept the fact that they are no more popular and there is nobody shouting behind them and as a result fall prey to depression.

Depression is a slow killer, it attacks but the person remains unaware. It works slowly and takes away the most precious thing gifted to one by God i.e. Life. Nowadays however, there are ways that can free everyone from the grip of depression. If you are a depression victim, let me up rise you to order xanax or a similar anti- depressant. Xanax is one of the most successful anti-depressant that works by affecting the lopsided chemicals in brain. It is available is various dosages that are prescribed for different levels of depression. But the depression drugs are strictly prescribed drugs therefore one must get xanax prescription before they actually buy xanax, and this rule is applicable for all, the sport stars as well as the common man.