Happy Independence Day: Can We Talk?

I realize today is Independence Day, but I've had this on my mind for a while; and I just feel it needs to be addressed!

First, I want to confess, I no longer identify as a Christian; but while I was growing up, I was raised to "do unto others" and "love your neighbor as yourself"; and to always remember "what you have done to the least of these". I was raised to be a compassionate, kind-hearted, respectful human being. And, I believed that's how all Christian people were. Are you still that type of Christian? And, even though I no longer call myself a Christian, I am still a compassionate, kind-hearted, respectful human being.

So, help me understand something. Because you love the Lord, you should care for, and about, the less fortunate; and be thankful that He takes care of you. God sees to all of your needs, so you can help the less fortunate see to theirs; and you should do this because you are Christ-like. You are followers of Christ.

And, it's no surprise that the government was able to tout the United States as a "Christian Nation", not too long ago; over 80% of the United States identifies as Christian. It even became our mantra, for a while ("we are a Christian Nation"); at least, that is, until it was no longer trendy. 

The latest trend the government is pushing seems to be the opposite of everything I was raised to believe an American Christian should be. Too many oppressive rules, aimed at marginalized groups of people; funding cuts to safety net programs, that help the poor survive. Openly racist politicians and constituents blasting their hate all over social media!

How is that being Christ-like!?

I doubt Christ would treat anyone like this....

• Don't love your neighbors because....what if they're illegal immigrants or people of color?
• Poor people are lazy, and not worth the air they breathe (I've been called trash by a Christian, who happens to be a family member of mine)
• Decent healthcare is a service reserved only for the wealthy, and to consider it a human right is blasphemy
• Feeding the homeless will get you thrown in jail
• If anyone's a victim of a crime or social injustice, it's their own fault
• The Rule of Law is an antiquated ideal and is being reconsidered 

What the Hell, people??? Seriously....what the hell?? (Yes, I did say that....on purpose)

The very foundations of Christianity are being rocked by statism, racism, class warfare, discrimination, and a blatant disregard for teachings of Christ. And the majority of “Christians” in this country are beating their chests, proudly proclaiming it all as God’s will. Are you among them?

What's that verse, again? ….. “What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.” (Isaiah 5:20 NLT)

Nationalism - the belief that your own country is better than all others. (America first!)

Statism - the principle or policy of concentrating extensive economic, political, and related controls in the state at the cost of individual liberty. (wake up...it's been happening for decades)

Patriotism - Love of and devotion to one's country. (not the flag, or anthem, of said country)

The man known as Jesus was not a Caucasian man with light brown hair and blue eyes….He was a Middle Eastern Jew. Bethlehem, the city He was born in, is a Palestinian town; it's located South of Jerusalem, in the West Bank. Jesus was also not affiliated with any political parties, although His “Kingdom business” was all about politics.

Jesus probably looked something like this

As followers of Christ, shouldn't you be following His lead, and stay out of man-made political dealings? You're supposed to be about Kingdom business….not man’s business. Jesus fed, taught, healed, and showed compassion toward all people who were in need….because they were in need; he didn't care where they had come from, how much money they had, what color their skin was, or even if they “deserved” what they were asking for (ie: food or medical care).

A while ago, I came across an article called “10 POLITICAL Things You Can't Do While Following Jesus” It discusses the concepts listed below, among others...and I encourage you all to read it.

• Not being an advocate for war
• Not favoring the rich over the poor
• Not letting people go hungry
• Not withholding healthcare from people
• Not limiting the rights of a select group of people
• Not turning away immigrants

I'm approaching middle age, with more questions on my mind, than I had when I was just a kid! And, by the way….the United States is not, nor has it ever been a Christian Nation; the Founding Fathers made that abundantly clear. I covered that in a previous blog.

The motto as seen on currency, “In God We Trust”, became the official motto of the United States in 1956, not 1776; and the United States government made violating the First Amendment an "acceptable" practice. It's not acceptable now, anymore than it was in the mid-50's; but the government has been getting away with it, despite that fact. I'm sorry, but....I don't like Ike.

Of course, every Christian should trust in God....but not everyone who calls themselves an American, identifies as a Christian. There are thousands of citizens who identify as Pagan, and not religious at all. No Christian has the right to hold any other person to the standards of the Bible. The First Amendment also allows all citizens to practice whatever religion they choose; or not practice any religion, at all.

The United States government has been trying for at least a century, to undermine everything the Founding Fathers established; and we're blindly letting them do it. We are not being patriotic Americans...we are sheep, being led to slaughter.

Abraham Lincoln said...

"A house divided against itself cannot stand"

The powers that be will continue this "Us vs Them" strategy (conservative vs liberal, white vs people of color, rich vs poor, citizen vs immigrant, etc), keeping us divided against each other until we wake up, and stop allowing them to lead us by the nose. BE compassionate toward everyone....including the "illegal immigrant" and the person of color! By the way...if I ever mention anything about immigrants breaking the law by overstaying their visas, I'll be using the term UNDOCUMENTED immigrant, from now on. Human beings are not illegal; but, they can do illegal things. 

People who are blessed should go out of their way to help the less fortunate, regardless of what country they came from; Jesus did. And stop asking God to bless America; he's not going to bless any nation who doesn't live by the Law of Love.

Learn what TRUE patriotism is, and stop foaming at the mouth when a football player sits out the National Anthem! Give some money to charity, so they can help the poor survive another night! Or, better yet, hire someone who's unemployed, so they won't have to rely on the government for their basic needs!

It's a sobering thought that I can honestly say, I know more Christ-like Atheists than Christ-like Christians. If you're going to call yourself a Christian, you really should learn to be more like Christ. The United States government is NOT God, and should never be Lord of anyone's life!