Is America a Christian Nation? By Alan Allegra
Categories: Politics
Tags: Jewish politics Obama Christian abortion holocaust deniers good Religion government evil law humanity
Religion and politics are the two most incendiary topics of conversation imaginable. Everything we think, say, and do is influenced by our view of God and government. President Obama's observation that we are not a nation beholden to any particular religion has struck the match of ardor and ignited the debate over whether America is a Christian nation.
Let me clarify that there is no such thing as a Christian nation. A Christian, by definition, is an individual follower of Christ. No nation can be "a" Christian, although we understand that those who debate the question mean our law is based on Christian (or "Judeo-Christian") principles. Without floundering in a sea of theology, let's just say that the principles in discussion predate Christianity and Judaism. They were incarnated in the very womb of Creation.
Some tell us we need to "embrace universal principles that emphasize our common humanity and promote greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures." This sounds well and good and politically correct, but is it practical or possible?
The Book of Judges is a horror story right out of a Gothic novel, except it's all true. It honestly and almost matter-of-factly documents scenes of rape, murder, dismemberment, unbridled lust, idolatry, robbery, economies of truth, betrayal, assassination, warfare, torture, suicide, filicide, and other best-seller fodder. The key verse and epilogue are identical summaries of the culture of the time: "In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6, 21:25). In other words, every person followed the dictates of their common humanity, unfettered by government standards.
If we are to appreciate different cultures, then we need to embrace them uncritically lest we offend. We were wrong to interfere with Nazis, and must appreciate Holocaust deniers. Beheading and terror are innate to some cultures, and we need their cooperation to make this a better global village. Forced abortion is practiced by a country with over 20% of the world's population. Genocide rules in many countries, and a caste system in others wears a heavy boot that keeps the people crushed and oppressed. So we wonder: Whose principles of common humanity should we embrace and cooperate with?
A cursory consideration verifies God's view of common humanity: "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). Jeremiah reminds us, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (17:9). God ordained human government, based on His righteous character, to rein in man's evil: "For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil" (Romans 13:4).
Are there "good" common principles of humanity and culture that we can embrace? There are values that are shared by humans that manifest themselves in almost every culture, such as private property and the right to life. But these are not beliefs that evolved or sprang up from the fertile soil of man's own heart. "Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them" (Romans 2:14, 15). God has written His standards in every heart, and we either live by them or make excuses to go our own way.
It is historical fact that the founding fathers based the nation's laws on the Bible. They were not all Christians or Jews but recognized the wisdom of having a righteous standard of law, a law that respects life and encourages true freedom.
Alan Allegra, Executive Administrative Assistant of Faith Church in Allentown, Pa. More devotionals at http://www.faithefc.com/includes/Alan-Devotionals.htm. More articles at Lifestyles Over 50: http://www.lifestylesover50.com/ and the Morning Call: www.mcall.com. Available for writing.
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com <a href="www.faithwriters.com? http: www.faithwriters.com"%20originalattribute='"href"%20originalpath="
The fact that people believe this Christian propaganda to be true is one of the major problems in our society today. Not only is it simply not true, but it is potentially dangerous and extremely polarizing.
Reply to this
According to statistics,the majority of people in the US believe in Christ which is why we are labled a Christian nation.Most all religions believe in God.The Bible talks about respecting others differing religious practices,some eat meat,some do not,some wear long hair, some do not,some are circumsized, some not. etc.Not accepting other cultures is a stumbling block to a person who is who might accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior.Jesus himself went to all who would accept him,from the Jew to the Sumaritan,he never ask about their customs or told them that salvation required them to give up their culture.God himself laid down the laws and said what the consequences of disobiedence should be.It is our own country that finds Gods true punishment barbaric.God calls for some to be stoned,yet when we hear about this,we are incensed.He says murderers should be put to death,but they live for years on taxpayer dollars.He says animals who kill should be stoned,but this would upset animal rights groups,etc. If we want the laws to be like the Bible says ,we need to band together and write and urge congress to change this.Are we to ignore the law and do what we want,NO.We are to respect our lawmakers!It was the people who cried out for a King,it is the people who can cry out for something different to be done.Jesus said,he came to save that which was lost,including,murderers.One who believed went with him to paradise.We must ask ourselves,what do we really believe,and what do we think is important,customs and cultures or the salvation of others.If we think we are better than others,we will not be able to affectively spread the gospel and change lives.As a nation,I don't believe we should dictate and cut off food,to countries who want to have the same rights as we have had,no matter what.I would not tolerate someone coming to my house telling me I can't have a gun when they have a house full,even if they THINK I might kill my neighbor with it,and if I buy a gun,the local grocer won't sell me any groceries,what's wrong with that picture!!!I know the argument "but we are differnt!"Everyone will be appauled at this, but we have more crime here than almost anywhere in the world.The US should clean up it's own yard,more people have been murdered here than in the Holocaust,just from sreet killings and mass murders!More soldiers killed in Iraq and more civilians than 9:11!
Reply to this