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VERY good points, my friend. I agree with you about the modern concept of patriotism.
I grew up with a very different view of what the word "patriot" means. My dad was a thoughtful, studious Christian. He searched the scriptures for instruction on everything from how to live his own life, to how to raise his family, to how to view his country. I suppose his view of what a patriot is could be summed up by one line of the pledge of allegiance:
"One nation under God"
Dad believed that this country was great, not because of affluence nor military might, but because of its individuals, families, and communities working together to help each other with Godly principles. Dad's idea of being a patriot was taking care of your neighbors, and defending our country against any who would try to take away our freedom or our beliefs.
You see, like many of us here, I grew up in an era when the big scare was that communism would try to take over the world, us included. Communism was considered by many to be the essence of evil. It was Godless, amoral, and would destroy us if we let it in. So "patriotism" to my dad was, at the time, wrapped up in keeping this country safe from the influx of communism.
After my dad did some more studying on world events, he learned about "socialism." Then his attention turned to the fact that socialism was creeping into our way of live incrementally. He was just as afraid of that happening as he had been about communism. JFK had pretty much eased the minds of many of that day about communist countries taking us over by force. Socialism was a kinder, gentler word. It was all about everyone being equal, and having everything they needed. It was not linked to thoughts of dictatorial style government.
Our enemies have changed. While once we were patriots if we defended our faith and way of life against those who would forcibly remove it from us, we are now patriots if we embrace everyone's beliefs, including those who have abandoned God's will. We are now expected to defend the "rights" of atheists.
I like the idea of being a patriot like my dad. He worked hard, took care of his family to the best of his ability, then spread his concern to the community, and then to our great country as he saw it:
"One nation under God"
That is a patriotism I could live with.
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Posted 01/20/2009 03:50am
Author: philruby
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Excellent points Phil, Thank you for adding these things to the discussion here. As you say, much has changed since the era in which we grew up, including the very definition of the word "patriot". Thank you again for your insight and comment.
B2Y
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Posted 01/20/2009 03:58am
Author: blessings2you
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Very good blog, B2Y. Very good points, very well written, and very true.
I have to say that I haven't given much though to patriotism beyond the idea of gratitude... I considered myself patriotic because I was grateful for the freedoms I enjoy. Grateful to God that I live in this country, and grateful to the men and women who made it possible. Nothing more, nothing less.
This will give my mind more to munch on.
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Posted 01/20/2009 07:32am
Author: whobelieve
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From about the late 70's on, i became aware of a patriot movement in the U.S. that believed that a large part of patriotism was to resist big government and especially the Feds? To them patriotism was to quietly forming their own army for self-defense rather than joining the military that they believed had become part of a larger international military? And so as you say 'patriot' is an explosive subject with multiple conflicting meanings.
In those days i stayed my course of action which was to evangelize, with the idea that the best thing i could do with my life was to win as many people as i could to Christ and that 'one at a time'. Now, i have added to that a careful look at the underground Church in various oppressed countries. There may come a day soon when they will have a lot to teach us about survival.
Now, within a few minutes the new president will be sworn into office and i hope that all is well. The patriot in me cries out, 'we have no King but Jesus' and 'give me Jesus or give me death'.
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Posted 01/20/2009 08:51am
Author: bimonics
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Even though you make very valid points I can't help but remember the actions of David before He becomes the King. He refuses to take up his weapon in his own saftey against King Saul because of his respect for the King his Lord placed there. I do honor those moments of respect for those whom are allowed to led us by our Lord. We may not understand the policies and we can all dispute the actions of The Presidents yet we can not doubt that our Lord has put in place those who have authority over us. It is with this respect that I give honor and my duty to them. I understand your position and respect it. I too have many problems with the problems that are brought upon us by politics. In many ways todays leaders are not unlike the one that King David had to continue to hide from. I believe strongly in the values that this country was built upon and ache with pain to see its values stripped in the name of those who choose to worship their own lives and their own accomplishments. I also pray in the name of Jesus that our Lord will conitnue to allow us to be protected by His strong arm.
Blessings,
bubba
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Posted 01/20/2009 10:37am
Author: bubbavela
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I feel you put things very tactfully B2Y. (Tact is unfortunately not my gift : ) I agree with you 100%. Working for the State and being surrounded predominantly by non-christians and luke warm christians, this election has really polarized the country. I am only 33 and wish I had grown up in the era so many older people were fortunate to experience. By this I only mean a simpler, kinder era. I believe that communism and socialism are more of a threat today than people realize!! As a christian you cannot help but feel singled out as 'intolerant,' if you disagree with someone's lifestyle or views on unborn life. The bible says "the man of lawlessness is already at work"... paving way for the Antichrist of course. How else will he achieve GLOBAL domination without coming as a wolf in sheeps clothing. Unifying the country, Unifying Nations, getting people excited and feeling "patriotic." We need only to remain loyal to the one who gave His life so that we might Live. If anyones views or opinions or methods don't align with the Christ, one should question it!
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Posted 01/20/2009 12:06pm
Author: forgivennotperfect
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Great Blog B2Y- the crux of the matter is this- as I see it, how can a christian continue to support the country of one's birth with the loyalty that country deserves, and yes this country does deserve loyalty- and still retain one's christian principles? A tough row to hoe my friend, and yet we must hoe it. We must remind those in office that they are accountable to the people that put them in office. In this way we are 'rendering unto ceasar that which is ceasar's" And yes tolerance includes the defense of atheists, unbelievers, and those that dislike Christians on general principle. Why? because if we do not tolerate their belief systems, the fragile freedoms we currently enjoy diminish that much more rapidly. When we forget that our freedom to free speech is to be equally adminsistered is the surest way to lose that freedom.
I want to be clear- I'm not for the One World government,that will not be sucessful until Jesus Himself returns. It would be nice however to have a return to civility in the public square and respect for differing opinions and belief systems. I cannot agree to the idea that the muslim, the hindu and I believe in and worship the same God because we do not. But, respecting the right to having differing p.o.v.'s is one of the cornerstones of a democratic republic like ours.
selah
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Posted 01/20/2009 01:51pm
Author: blackrose65
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Thank you for all the enlightening and civil comments. My worry when posting an article such as this if of course that either I offend someone or it turns into a political shouting match--neither of which is wanted or allowed.
May I say again that it is not that I do not love my country, but I fail to see justification (outside of nationalist Israel in the Old Testament) for the kind of zealous patriotism that many times actually divides this country and separates it from others in the world and vice a versa. It must always be remembered that Israel in the Old Testament was a Theocracy which the United States IS NOT.
There obviously was a shift in attitude toward love of country from the Old to the New Testament. This, I believe came with the various secular empires constantly taking over the land along with the huge number of countries believers represented in the New Testament.
What I am afraid of is that the sudden surge in patriotism as manifested today in Washington will wear off in the next few months and this country will settle back into the same partisan politics which has wrecked it for years. I really do pray that those in authority forge a united and somewhat godly plan to deal with the horrible financial mess this nation is in. Isn't it odd that on this great day of joy and optimism in Washington, just up the road in New York the Stock Market lost over 300 points due to worries the banks are going broke?
Again, thank you for your great comments and I pray any further ones stay as enlightening and civil as those so far. Thank you.
B2Y
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Posted 01/20/2009 03:39pm
Author: blessings2you
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B2Y, I understand your concerns, and probably share them! However, the only people we can control directly are the ones we see in the mirror daily and this is why we are exhorted to pray for everyone in 1Tim2... . selah
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Posted 01/23/2009 12:25pm
Author: blackrose65
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Very good points! This is excellent.
In college, we talked about what it meant to be political. Jesus, in fact, was a political figure. He was a political figure in in the respect that he led (and still leading) sooo many broken people, and had the bravery to stand up to the Roman government when needed. The amazing thing was, he didn't run a campaign, he had no special slogan - he simply took action. He loved. And he obeyed God.
I believe that's what we are called to do as Christians. I think too many people think being "political" or "patriotic" means to vote, to obey the government. I disagree for two reasons:
1)Our government is BASED on a system where if the 3 branches fail, the people have the right to question it. This is how it was formulated back in the day with our forefathers. This is a government by the people, and for the people.
2)Jesus did not just obey the government. Jesus was a classic "walk the walk" kind of guy. He got out there and DID something about it. When goods were being sold outside the temple, he turned the tables over. He healed people.
Most of all, he prayed. He obeyed God. He was a sinless man after all.
I feel that is our call - to simply obey God. To trust his will and his judgement. Do I agree with every policy proposed? Absolutely not. In fact, I dare say it's my "patriotic duty" AND ALSO my "Christian duty" to indeed question every law proposed and passed.
In obeying God, we also pray for those in power. God put them there, and they need God's wisdom. This next statement is in no way intended towards current leaders, but remember too, that God will eventually allow the Anti-Christ to come into a position of power. We are ALL POWERLESS to God's will - it will be done. But that's NOTHING to be cynical about. If anything, we should be praising God for His will, no matter how little sense it makes to us.
Also in obeying God, we need to search his will for our lives, too. And this means taking up our own crosses - we need to "walk the walk." We need to walk the walk in our society, in our country, in our home. Whether it be leading, helping the homeless, or just being there for someone, we are to be the salt of the earth.
One last thought - no president is perfect; no one's perfect. Even if we follow God, we will be led astray - it's just how it is. It humbles and comforts me to know that I can't put anyone on a pedestal except for God.
God bless all who read! Thanks for listening :-)
Your sister-in-Christ, Devinne
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Posted 01/26/2009 07:44pm
Author: djmeyers
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