WHAT ARE YOU?
A question for Christians who are also American citizens...
posted by Shaun Groves @ 9/05/2006
14 comments
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14 Comments:
Interesting poll today Shaun. I am first a christian and then an American. I love my country but I love my God more.
Not sure what the intent is here, but I'm sure you'll explain.
Of course I'm a Christian first, but there's nothing wrong with being an American either. After spending many years overseas, I am uniquely struck by our patriotism. Some of it is over the top of course, and always misplaced if put ahead of God and our allegience to Him above all, but it's nothing to be ashamed of either.
Whenever on a military post at the close of the duty day, all on the base come to a halt, stand at attention (cars are not to move during this time either), and salute as our national anthem is played. Being stationed overseas meant that the anthem of the "host" nation was played first, followed by ours. I always thought it was sad that our hosts never stopped for their anthem, flew their flags on holidays, etc. Even when honoring their war veterans (far more than we've ever had), they don't typically carry the flag. It just doesn't mean the same thing to them I guess. I'm not saying that our flag is something sacred or holy, but it does represent a great nation and something we should honor and treat with respect. A constitutional ammendment for it's protection? No. Punishment for those who abuse it? No, it's material. However, we should be respectful for what it stands for and be greatful that we live in a country where we can practice our faith without persecution or prosecution.
Beth
why do i feel like i am somehow going to answer wrong? you are a tricky man mr. groves.
I wonder if this is a true representation of how people really feel, or are we simply giving the answers we think are "right"?
First of all, I am a Christian first then an American.
Second of all, why not a catagory for those who are not a Christian or an American.
Third of all, Happy Birthday mustard packet pelter!!!!
Last of all, I am looking forwards to see were you are going with this.
Thomas
Allow me to be the honest one here... I am an American above all else. Thanks to our great nation and our soldiers who have fought and continue to fight for our freedoms, we are allowed to choose if we want to be Christian or Muslim or Agnostic. Because I am an America, I can be a Christian.
Why would honesty ever need to be posted anonymously? No one here will attack you for answering either way, if that's why. If they do I'll delete their comment.
Thanks for your honesty. Much appreciated.
Well, Honestly... I read the blog daily, just haven't ever created an identity. My husband, the redneck has an identity, but I wouldn't want to use his identity for my thoughts. I don't even know how to create an identity...
The redneck neighbor's wife
Being of any nationality isn't what determines our faith. Faith is not something we're born with, like ethnicity, citizenship or eye color. Genuine faith comes from hearing the truth about God. The one and only God. Being an American might make it easier to find out about Christianity without the fear of being persecuted for doing so, but it isn't the only determining factor to be sure. It's not a determining factor at all. A Christian is defined simply as someone who is "Christ-like." A follower of Christ, believing that HE is the only way to heaven and the only one capable of saving us from our rightful punishment for our sins. There are millions of people in this world who are Christians who are not American or have ever even been here. Christ wasn't American.
While I'm honestly not attacking anyone for their opinion (it's a free country afterall), to state that "because I am an American, I can be a Christian" makes it sound as though anyone who isn't an American has no chance of becoming a Christian. Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but that's what I got from it. Stating that I am a Christian first also doesn't make me dishonest. If America ceased to exist, I'd still be a Christian, but if there was so Christianity, then my citizenship would be for naught anyway.
I'm a proud American for sure. A combat veteran myself and married to a fine man who is still serving today. My Grandfather, father, father-in-law and two brother's-in-law are also veterans. I've shed more than a few tears upon hearing the National Anthem and the flag that was draped over my fathers' coffin is proudly displayed in our home; next to the certificate of appreciation for faithful service to my dad; signed by President Bush (#1). Since my American citizenship isn't eternal, I choose to place my primary allegiance in the citizenship I claim that IS eternal; that of heaven.
Beth
Fishing for some pot stirring, Shaun? As always, I'm glad to oblige. Though I must say, this reveals you at your pacifist-aggresivist best!
I'm a military kid, who was born in Texas for crying out loud, but I could give a rip about being an American. Serving God and my identity in him is so far above petty stuff like nationality and nationalism, (different things... very different things), that I can't even square the question which I am first: American or Christian. Ranking the two as possible alternate identities is a full non sequitur. If you are a Christian, then you don't concern yourself with other allegiances. After all, Jesus said we couldn't be his disciples if we held family above him. How much less should we hold citizenship then?
i can't take the poll, i'm not American. It's interesting to read the comments though. I like how grovesfan pointed out that Christianity is not contingent upon nationality, or something to that effect. . I was glad to see that highlighted. Some of the most hostile places on earth have produced some of the most passionate, faithful to Christ followers. .
I have to echo what Beth said. Why does anonymous have to be the only "honest" one for saying she is an American first? As a Christian first and foremost, I feel honest in saying that.
Although I consider myself patriotic, I get somewhat fed up with the misguided nationalism that runs amok in our country at times. Although I truly feel blessed to be an American and to live free, I do not believe God likes Americans best, contrary to what much of our media (all the way to our president) would have us believe.
hollybird said...
I wonder if this is a true representation of how people really feel, or are we simply giving the answers we think are "right"?
Well, maybe I took this out of context when I said allow me to be the "honest one". Looking at the poll results, there were 4 who chose American first, but nobody posted. There were 48 who responded with Christian... I wanted to stir the pot as the chachinnator pointed out and see how people responded. I don't take it back though, it is my opinion and it'll stay my opinion. If you were to take this poll on a patriotic blog, the numbers may be flipped.
I'll always be an American, just like I'll always be a woman and I will always be a Christian, though I have the option to change any of the above just as I have the option to change my hair color.
What constitutes American? What constitutes Christian? How many people think they are American simply because they have always been told they are American? How many people think they are Christians simply because their parents taught them to pray? Many attend church every Sunday, yet they are not Christians. Many pray daily and read the bible nightly and have accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts, yet they never attend Sunday service, are they not Christians?
If someone walked up and gave you a piece of paper to fill in the blank and your only question on it was "I am ________" What do you answer? How many would answer with American or Christian without any other questions to answer? A child may answer with boy or girl, in a very diverse school or neighborhood one may answer hispanic, white or black... How many people would HONESTLY answer "Christian" or "American" without being prompted?
Shaun, Have fun with this one...
Kim
See the new post for today. I wrote it before reading your words, Kim. We obviously agree. It's a bad poll question in need of some definitions.
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