America is a nation of immigrants, so how does one define the American identity?

That's a question kids in the Scouts BSA, formerly known as the Boy Scouts, have to consider

when they earn their citizenship merit badge.

Are we a country that's united by a nationality?

Cheryl Repetti is teaching a merit badge class for a group of Scouts at an outdoor classroom

in Alexandria, Virginia.

And one young man offers this up.

I would say that to think that really hold America together, it's our values, kind of like

freedom and like respect to everybody.

This is the lesson that many people are taught about what it means to be American.

It's about accepting American values.

It's a philosophical idea, not one of ethnic identity.

It is difficult to become German.

It is difficult to become Swedish.

Because those identities are not ideas.

This is writer Shadi Hamid, whose parents came to America from Egypt.

Becoming American means that you believe in the American idea.

And at least in theory, that's open to any immigrant who is able to come here.

Consider this much has been said about how divided we are, but perhaps there is still

something that unites us.

Coming up long time NPR correspondent Tom Jelton on America's Civil Religion.

From NPR, I'm Audie Cornish.

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