Passions tend to run high for two things in a conservative area: Patriotism and religion.

Today, when the Fourth of July falls on Sunday, folks might have to make a choice. Attend events like Independence Day parades, or go to church?

"I don't know what the answer is," said Cynthia Marlette, associate for worship and communication at First Presbyterian Church of Coeur d'Alene. "I think it's definitely a problem."

There's no ignoring the dual interests of the day at First Presbyterian, located on Lakeside.

Avenue and in close proximity to the Sunday morning parade down Sherman Avenue.

The conflicting schedule is inevitable, said Marlette, so the church doesn't fight it.

"We're just trying to get across to our congregation that it actually works out quite well. Our service is at 9:30, so they can come and park, get done with worship and be ready for the parade at 11," Marlette said. "If anything, we try to capitalize on it."

But her sympathy goes out to churches that don't have such scheduling luck, she said.

"It just goes along with so many other things happening. It used to be Wednesday nights were considered church nights. Everybody respected that, and schools respected that," she said. "No longer is Wednesday church night, and no longer is Sunday morning Christian time. I myself find it very sad."

Dan Christ, lead pastor at Coeur d'Alene Assembly of God, said he understands if the festivities of the day draw away some of his congregation.

"I'm going to take more of the stance that you can't fault a person for celebrating the Fourth of July on the Fourth of July," Christ said. "I think if people choose to go to the parade, it doesn't mean they're not excited about the church service. And if a person goes to a church service, it doesn't mean they're anti-patriotic."

His only disappointment, he admitted, is missing the Coeur d'Alene parade himself.

"I wouldn't mind adjusting my own church service," he said, though he won't be doing so this year. "It would be easier for me if the parade was on Saturday, but I don't fault the city in any way."

Pastor Ron Hunter with Coeur d'Alene Church of the Nazarene also said the conflicting Sunday interests can be a tough choice, even for pastors.

"Personally I enjoy going to the parade. I won't be able to go this time," Hunter said Wednesday. "But that's one of those things that just happens. Events are such that I have to make a choice."

He accepts it.

After all, it happens all the time.

"There are regular major events that compete with Sunday, whether it's Ironman, Hoopfest, Bloomsday or car shows," he said. "You don't prohibit those or object to them. You compete."

His strategy today is to mix in the Fourth of July into his sermon, he said. He'll be discussing how patriotism and religion are intertwined.

"Our founding fathers were very aware of the Bible and they built it into the system," he said. "I do believe a nation needs to have a moral citizenry."

David Warnick, executive pastor at New Life Community Church, said he wishes communities had scheduled Independence Day events on Saturday for the sake of respect.

Holiday or not, he encouraged believers to choose church today.

"I think that our culture doesn't prioritize worship," Warnick said. "It's not just municipalities on the Fourth of July. It's soccer tournaments on Sunday mornings. It's an indication that churchgoers are no longer so influential in our culture."

More alarming still, he said, is people who give religious weight to their Fourth of July celebrations.

That line of thinking can be confusing, he said.

"A problem arises when we try to mix national pride with religion," he said. "America is not God. America will not last into eternity."

North Idaho communities vary on the issue.

Sandpoint held both its children's parade and grand parade on Saturday, said Nancy Lewis, secretary of the Sandpoint Lions Club and chair of the Fourth of July activities.

The last time the Fourth fell on a Sunday, she said, there was public outcry because the parade parking blocked residents from getting to church services.

"Whatever day it (the Fourth) falls on, we do it (the parade), except on a Sunday," Lewis said. "We will still be observing the Fourth of July, and putting flags through downtown. It's just extra work for us."

Bayview also held its street parade, boat parade and fireworks for Bayview Daze on Saturday.

But that's simply tradition, said Ralph Jones, a former Bayview Chamber of Commerce board member and a longtime Bayview resident.

"That's the way we do it," Jones said, adding that Bayview Daze has always been held on the weekend closest to the Fourth, with the parade and fireworks on Saturday.

"From the business point of view, having events on the third is kind of an extra bonus," said Jones, who owns Ralph's Coffee House. "We have the opportunity to draw a lot more people out on the third who will go somewhere on the Fourth traditionally. They'll do both."

Coeur d'Alene always holds its Fourth of July celebrations on the day of the holiday, said Brenda Young, events manager for the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce.

Even when it falls on a Sunday.

The last time that happened, she added, the town changed the parade time to noon to better accommodate church services. But the result wasn't ideal.

"It's too hot, and too long of a wait for people, and little kids can't be out in the sun," Young said. "So we didn't consider changing it this year."

Instead, the chamber notified local churches of the 11 a.m. parade two months in advance, she said, with a caveat to change their services if needed.

"So far, a couple churches have called and changed their services," Young said, though she couldn't remember which ones.

Don Riegel, who served in the Air Force from 1954-'58, said he disagrees with those who disapprove of holding celebrations on a Sunday.

Especially celebrations of the United States and its veterans.

"It's the veterans who fought for them and died for them to be able to worship on Sunday," said Riegel, quarter master for VFW Post 889 in Coeur d'Alene. "If they're going to carry that attitude, I'm sorry."

He's going to stay away from the crowds completely today, he said, but he will be happy to see other folks enjoying the day and honoring the country's history.

"It's a day of celebration and to enjoy the freedom that we have," he said.

Dusty Rhoads, adjutant for the American Legion Post 14, said he's heard complaints from only two of the post's 300 veterans about the Fourth of July festivities being held on Sunday.

"We've always had separation between church and state, so that's just a choice individuals will have to make," Rhoads said, adding that he isn't religious.

He knows many local veterans will head to church early in the morning and either attend a parade later or head to the post picnic in the afternoon, he said.

Regardless if folks are sitting in pews or catching candy on sidewalks, he said, he hopes they take a moment to consider the men in uniform still fighting for their right to uphold whatever values they hold dear.

"Freedom of choice. It always come back to that magic word," he said. "It's been earned the hard way."