The following is written in response to Glenn Kaiser blog
http://www.glennkaiser.com/
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
THE U.S. A CHRISTIAN NATION?
Here’s my response…
I like what you said about biblical –principles permeating early U.S. thought. It’s these types of principals that will distinguish the early United States as it’s looked back on hundreds of years from now. This permeation of biblical principals is part of what allowed the US to referred to as a “Christian” nation. Well that train has long since left the station, n’ disappeared into the ether of history. It’s been a long time since this nation or any nation has been permeated with biblical principles. Currently there are large segments of our society where there is no longer any shadow of those principals, let alone people wrestling with them in their daily lives.
Personally I have a problem with the word “Christian” being used as an adjective, as in ‘Christian’ music, ‘Christian’ restaurant, ‘Christian’ candle stick maker, etc… Now there are Christians that play music, run restaurants, and make candles. However, let us not pollute, water down, or distort the term “Christian” by tying it to other terms by using ‘Christian’ as an adjective. For instance if you ask me what I am, and if I say I’m a guitarist, then the next day I find myself unable to play guitar, I’ve lost my identity. But if I say I’m a Christian and I play guitar, and the next day I lose my ability to play guitar, I have not lost my identity. If I say I am a Christian guitarist, and later lose my ability to play guitar, I have lost part of my identity because I am no longer a Christian guitarist.
This country is a nation of individuals and as a society we used to be permeated with biblical principles, thus many referred to the US as a Christian nation. Because so many have bought into the idea of the US as a ‘Christian’ nation, now that the US is no longer permeated with biblical principles, the nation has lost part of its identity. We are a nation with an identity problem. How does a society become permeated with Christian principles? I’m not sure but I agree with you…… it begins with me.
http://www.glennkaiser.com/
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
THE U.S. A CHRISTIAN NATION?
Here’s my response…
I like what you said about biblical –principles permeating early U.S. thought. It’s these types of principals that will distinguish the early United States as it’s looked back on hundreds of years from now. This permeation of biblical principals is part of what allowed the US to referred to as a “Christian” nation. Well that train has long since left the station, n’ disappeared into the ether of history. It’s been a long time since this nation or any nation has been permeated with biblical principles. Currently there are large segments of our society where there is no longer any shadow of those principals, let alone people wrestling with them in their daily lives.
Personally I have a problem with the word “Christian” being used as an adjective, as in ‘Christian’ music, ‘Christian’ restaurant, ‘Christian’ candle stick maker, etc… Now there are Christians that play music, run restaurants, and make candles. However, let us not pollute, water down, or distort the term “Christian” by tying it to other terms by using ‘Christian’ as an adjective. For instance if you ask me what I am, and if I say I’m a guitarist, then the next day I find myself unable to play guitar, I’ve lost my identity. But if I say I’m a Christian and I play guitar, and the next day I lose my ability to play guitar, I have not lost my identity. If I say I am a Christian guitarist, and later lose my ability to play guitar, I have lost part of my identity because I am no longer a Christian guitarist.
This country is a nation of individuals and as a society we used to be permeated with biblical principles, thus many referred to the US as a Christian nation. Because so many have bought into the idea of the US as a ‘Christian’ nation, now that the US is no longer permeated with biblical principles, the nation has lost part of its identity. We are a nation with an identity problem. How does a society become permeated with Christian principles? I’m not sure but I agree with you…… it begins with me.
2 comments:
There is certainly a view where the American church needs to take responsibility for separating itself from society. By creating their own subcultures, they effectively removed themselves from any impact on the general populace. The church impact has been reduced in society. Why be surprised?
Another perspective would be that the American society appears to be content with the breakdown of real relationships. Most agree that we have lost neighborhoods where families knew each other, and there was almost a communal atmosphere. With the rise of technology and communication tools, face-to-face communication is becoming less frequent. This isn't without any consequence. This past neighborly interaction lent itself to a more "Christian" love. This has been reduced.
Another point would be to question whether there truly ever was a "biblical" founding in the USA. Sure, many documents refer to God and make religious sounding statements, but how could a biblical "Christian" ever support the concept of slavery? If you want pick-and-choose the various statements to support a "Christian nation" argument, you do have to ignore quite a bit non-Christian behavior in our founding "fathers". This doesn't even begin to address the "real life" stories regarding various behavior from our own citizens. My point is, just because the label is put on the documents, doesn't actually mean we ever were really behaving like a "Christian nation".
Some like to argue that our freedom is God given, but yet want to restrict that freedom on those who may not agree. In my opinion, the USA is founded on independence, freedom, and liberty. That does not equate to the USA being a "Christian" nation. In fact, it actually should make us neutral on issues of religion. However, there are a portion of society today who would also want to restrict any religious activity, and that also goes against our freedoms. Both sides needs to exercise a level of tolerance or restraint against personal agendas.
My final point would be whether our identity as "Christian" nation comes from the individual citizens, or from our leaders. Isn't the label of "Christian" an individual or personal commitment, rather than adding that tag to a nation? I'm not sure a nation could ever be "Christian".
But, that's just my opinion - I could be wrong.
Community interaction in the the face to face sort of way has declined over the past several years. The type of interaction people have has picked up momentum in a new form via the Internet. Is it worse? Is it better? Well it's different that's for sure and it is here. It will continue to have impact on our society as history marches on. I'm glad that there is at least some kind of interaction between humans happening, but it is a different world and different rules of communication apply. Welcome to history in the making. I for one hope that we don't give up on face to face gatherings.
Tim, I like what you are saying about, '...the label of "Christian" [is] an individual or personal commitment, rather than adding that tag to a nation...'
Thanks for your interaction both here in virtual world as well as when I see you in the face to face world... or whatever that's called... some how the 'real' world sounds a little odd to me. The communication of ideas from two (or more) individuals is still 'real'. We wouldn't think of a phone call as non real because we've lived with that form of communication longer. But we are still wrestling with our emotions and words over how to describe this thing we do on the Internet.
Post a Comment