Well, I’m back for part 2. You didn’t think I’d leave forever, did you? Finals week will do that to you
Ok, regarding “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”:
Now tell me honestly, do you believe that this verse is actually referring to a system of politics and legislation, or the actual people who make up the nation? I’d say the latter, and I think that would make more sense in Biblical context, if you read the rest of the verse: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” This either refers to the Jewish nation (which WAS a theocracy, not meaning WE should be) or the new “nation” of all believers. Since it’s an Old Testament verse, I’d lean towards the first.
Anyway, rules and laws can’t make any group of people the Lord’s. Even if they’re forced to obey, their hearts will be even more resentful because they won’t understand.
Government can’t change the minds of people, unless it’s some sort of brain-washing, despotic government. Therefore, I don’t really understand why you’re so insistent on having your policies apply to an entire country. What would God rather see: a group of people who are forced to follow his rules buy really hate him, or a group of people who gladly follow his laws out of joyful and loving obedience? Once again, it’s the latter, but you’re gunning for the first option. Which doesn’t make sense, because how can anybody know the full extent of God’s person through the law?
And on the premise of America originally being a Christian nation…you must not have read a good deal of the quotes I posted earlier thoroughly, so I’ll repost a few and add some new ones. I hope you take time to digest them:
James Madison:“I must admit moreover that it may not be easy, in every possible case, to trace the line of separation between the rights of religion and the civil authority with such distinctness as to avoid collisions and doubts on unessential points. The tendency to a usurpation on one side or the other or to a corrupting coalition or alliance between them will be best guarded against by entire abstinence of the government from interference in any way whatever, beyond the necessity of preserving public order and protecting each sect against trespasses on its legal rights by others.” (Letter Rev. Jasper Adams, Spring 1832).
“To the Baptist Churches on Neal's Greek on Black Creek, North Carolina I have received, fellow-citizens, your address, approving my objection to the Bill containing a grant of public land to the Baptist Church at Salem Meeting House, Mississippi Territory. Having always regarded the practical distinction between Religion and Civil Government as essential to the purity of both, and as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, I could not have otherwise discharged my duty on the occasion which presented itself” (Letter to Baptist Churches in North Carolina, June 3, 1811).” [notice that word, “purity”)
Thomas Jefferson:“The clergy, by getting themselves established by law and ingrafted into the machine of government, have been a very formidable engine against the civil and religious rights of man (Letter to J. Moor, 1800).”
“History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes”
“It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.”
“I may grow rich by an art I am compelled to follow; I may recover health by medicines I am compelled to take against my own judgment; but I cannot be saved by a worship I disbelieve and abhor.”
Thomas Jefferson was no Christian. I’m sure you’re also aware of the fact that Jefferson fabricated his OWN version of the Bible, void of all references to miracles and strange supernatural happenings.
Treaty of Tripoli: “As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion - as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen, - and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arrising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.” (ratified during John Adams presidency)
John Adams:It doesn’t sound as if Mr. Adams was so keen on enforcing Christian morals in legislation: “We should begin by setting conscience free. When all men of all religions ... shall enjoy equal liberty, property, and an equal chance for honors and power ... we may expect that improvements will be made in the human character and the state of society.”
Benjamin Franklin: Think how great a proportion of Mankind consists of weak and ignorant Men and Women, and of inexperienc'd Youth of both Sexes, who have need of the Motives of Religion to restrain them from Vice, to support their Virtue, and retain them in the Practice of it till it becomes habitual, which is the great Point for its Security."
Thomas Paine:“As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensable duty of government to protect all conscientious protesters thereof, and I know of no other business government has to do therewith.”
“The most detestable wickedness, the most horrid cruelties, and the greatest miseries that have afflicted the human race have had their origin in this thing called revelation, or revealed religion. It has been the most dishonorable belief against the character of the Divinity, the most destructive to morality and the peace and happiness of man, that ever was propagated since man began to exist.”
“…The adulterous connection of church and state.”
Politics, are by nature, shady, sneaky, and full of fabrications. Maybe Christianity would do some good for politics, but WHY would you want to subject Christianity to such measures? We cannot protect the Church from politics when they’re so closely related and involved. If the two are combined, it benefits no one. Government is for now. Christianity is for eternity. They are two different realms. They operate on two different systems.
Perhaps Christianity could do some good for government, but not without losing some of its integrity, doctrine, and energy. Evangelicals are so concerned about turning America into a “Christian” nation again that they’re forgetting about the Americans. I see “Christians” picketing on college campuses with signs portraying dead fetuses. I see “Christians” blowing up planned parenthood clinics. I see “Christians” screaming hateful things at homosexuals and protesting against their marriages. I see smug and self-righteous “Christians” on TV, in the newspaper, and especially in the Republican party. What a good example of Christ’s love they are.
Of course, I cannot convict all Evangelicals or all Republicans, because they are not all radical zealots. But these are the things that happen when religion and politics get mixed, and its best just to leave them separate. The Christian has a very serious job to do, and this is his sole responsibility.
"What little effort it takes - a friendly nod at a stranger on the street, giving change to the vagabond, saying hello or goodbye, opening doors, keeping our mouths shut. In the small things, the day-to-day gestures, the normal business of the day, we do the great work of the kingdom, which is to welcome each unlikely individual into the fold, one person at a time." – Sufjan Stevens
Why worry about whether or not homosexuals are getting married when there are people out there that need to hear the Gospel?
