Posted by giveawayboy on September 15, 2001 at 01:37:08:
In Reply to: Re: God Bless America posted by John on September 11, 2001 at 20:52:33:
I for one found this voice refreshing. Although I have declared John a heretic and possible cult leader on more than one occassion (read playfulness into this please)I have to say that I don't know what the big bruhaha is about his response to kat. I am not going to go into a huge analysis either. I found some things in his post that were worthy of note:
1) he seems to be reminding us in a time where we need to pull together as a nation, not to confuse our faith with our national identity. Though he admits that we can be active in our nation he simply stressed that we should remember we are first citizens of Heaven. SO, what's the big deal here? Seems consistent with 6000 years of teaching on the Jews and Christians being a light to the nations and coming out of the world and being a holy nation and set apart and separate.
2) he reminds us to keep our cool and to use the martyrs as our examples. once again, his view is consistent with at least 2000 years of Gospel tradition.
Now, I'll comment on the body of his text (my views on his text):
: This is going to sound strange coming from me, but let us all remember that we are Christians called to love and peace. Even toward those who injure us. Above all, now is the time for we who think we have an enlightened sense of our God to stand firm against the vengeful calls for retaliation. To put aside our offenses and work toward peace and to restoring the hurt that is now afflicted.
he is telling us to be peacemakers. Good for John!
Don't be caught in the Nationalistic trap. God is not American, so watch out for the propaganda. I spent the whole day at work listening to people make idle and ignorant threats against every possible nationality and religious group that could have done this. I spent the evening with a Japanese woman who was as shocked and appalled at what happened as any American, and fearful of the constant comparisons to Pearl Harbor and what that means for her and the rest of the world. Further she was confused by the fact that a "Christian-based nation" like the US would go on National Television threatening retaliation. "Isn't that against what Christianity says?" She asked.
Here John points out the confusion people experience when they nationalize a faith. For instance, assuming that the USA is a Christian nation is living in the past. The USA is a nation with an overwhelming Christian presence in it, but practically speaking she is not exclusively Christian. She houses thousands of different religious communities. If anything her religion falls between pluralism and secular humanism. One again--good for John.
: So yes pray, and yes do all we can to help, but remember that our Citizenship is in Heaven and that our God is still in control. Now more than ever we as Chrisitans have the opportunity to show the true nature of our God to those around us and the rest of the world. Let us go and work dilligently in peace with those who are affected, and stand in this firmly and unswervingly. But please remember our God, and remember our roots. We are the children of persecuted people. Our ancestors are the martyrs. Let their humility in the face of injustice be our attitude and let us leave running the world up to God.
I really thought John's post made alot of sense. Good for John!
Bill