It is unfortunate that this falls on the Fourth of July, but I guess it holds incentive to finally let out what I'd been thinking for quite a while. I wrote a somewhat lengthy and perhaps marginally offensive blog about frustrations with America's confusion of Christianity and patriotism. And subsequently decided not to post it. There's a fine line between criticism and blasting, and I may have been getting a little carried away. I'll try to restrain myself here.
I recognize America's greatness when it comes to freedoms and opportunities for a better life it has provided for millions, but I also recognize bigotry, hatred, and "progress" which mar America. Sadly, it seems many Christians put patriotism as an essential part of their faith and have the audacity to think America has special status in God's eyes. There have been great sacrifices for my freedom in this country, and for that I am hugely grateful. But I cannot reconcile the importance that America has taken in evangelical Christianity. God does not love America more than any other nation. Personally, I don't believe God cares about nations, apart from drawing people from every nation to worship him around his throne when Revelations is fulfilled. I was about to go off on the huge dichotomies in the Pledge of Allegiance when I stopped myself. All I'll say is that liberty and justice for all apparently had an asterisk and indivisible was a flop.
I have a grandmother who cries every time she hears the Battle Hymn of the Republic who just stopped by our house wearing a patriotic T-shirt and talking about the excellent patriot music on TBN on Saturday. I have an uncle who served in Vietnam. Thus, I mean no disrespect. I simply ask that you evaluate your beliefs about your faith and your country and make sure that the proper distinctions are made. Submit to authority, but don't make it an idol. Keep your loyalty to your Savior much, much greater than your loyalty to a temporary, earthly institution just as prone to evil as every human heart that governs it and resides in it.
Jesus wasn't American.
*check this out as well
http://www.thebanner.org/features/article/?id=3363
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