All religions contain, at their core, something like a «metaphysical / moral vision» about what is true, reliable and worthy of ultimate loyalty. (religion-online.org)
The willingness of the churches, then, to offer development projects as a substitute for witness reinforces the shift from religion to national identity and obligation as forms of ultimate loyalty. (religion-online.org)
At the core of our faith is the salvation story, and it turns out that without the notion of a people or nation - without the concept of a group of human beings that share a way of life and agree about ultimate loyalties - the story can not even be told. (firstthings.com)