Monday, July 03, 2006
Some thoughts on patriotism...
This post comes to you a few days after the events which it concerns, due to the strong emotions connected to the events themselves. I hope that the weekend has allowed me to "cool off" sufficiently to talk about my thoughts in a clear and appropriate way. But if not, I think you'll still get the point. So, here are some thoughts on patriotic activity as we approach Independence Day...
First, last Thursday I read an article in support of a book by Rodney Stark entitled The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success. The title by itself was enough to make me skeptical, but I read on. Basically, Mr. Stark argues that, without Christianity's "reason, progress, and moral equality, today the entire world would be about where non-European societies were in, say, 1800," and that we would live in a world of "despots, lacking universities, banks, factories, eyeglasses, chimneys, and pianos." (These are actual quotations from the book) He goes on to suggest that modernism (economic, cultural, and political) only arose in the "Christian" West, and that the primarily Muslim and Buddhist areas of the world are essentially missing out (econcomically, culturally, and politically) because of the lack of Christian influence in those areas. So, after writing this far, I'm already angry again. But here goes. FIRST of all, does the brutal exploitation of colonialism done by the "Christian" West to people in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia (which are primarily Musilm, Hindu, and Buddhist), which allowed the West to become economically prosperous, reflect the "moral equality" of Christianity that Mr. Stark thinks is so pervasive in the Western world? And what about the sweatshops of Western corporations that dot the rest of the world today? How is Christianity reflected in economic systems that blatantly allow such practices, such as employing children to work for pennies a day (if they're lucky) - and a day consisting of upwards of 12 hours of labor sometimes? I don't think Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me so that I can exploit their labor for billion-dollar profits". Secondly, if Mr. Stark's argument is extended, does he suggest that Christianity is somehow validated by economic, political, and cultural "superiority"? Was it not Jesus who lamented how hard it was for the rich to find the Kingdom of Heaven? Was it not the earliest followers of Christ who rejoiced in the midst of poverty and persecution? I'm not suggesting that we should abandon capitalism and live in communes, or that Christian's can't be rich, or even that Christian principles applied in business shouldn't be rewarded. I applaud businessmen who do apply Christian ideals of justice, equality, and help for the underprivileged. But, in my best estimation, any such businessmen are the exception, and not the norm, in the Western world.
My second "patriotic" experience that I want to write about happenned at a concert Thursday night. The concert was meant to be a patriotic tribute to veterans, America, and God, as far as I could tell. The choir sang well, and I appreciated the recognition of military men, and emphasis throughout the night on the importance of parents passing on values to their children. What upset me, outside of momentary confusions of whether I was there to worship my country or my God, was the fact that behind the choir loft a cross was displayed...with American flags coming off of it. The cross, symbolizing the death of Christ...decorated with flags symbolizing the United States of America. Now, I'm perfectly aware that intentions were probably innocent in decorating the church sanctuary in which the concert was held, but really - what were they thinking?! The cross of Christ - on which Jesus Christ was crucified for ALL men for ALL time. The cross - which gave way to the resurrection, which allowed the birth of the Church, made up of all peoples. The cross - outside of which we have NO hope. None. It is through death on the cross that Christ once for ALL provided a way for men to know God and be with Him. The cross - which has NOTHING to do with these United States of America other than the fact that Christians live here. The US is not God's chosen nation. Americans are not God's chosen people. And while our heritage does include strong Christian influences, it also includes influences (such as Greek thought and Enlightenment thought) which are very opposed to Christianity in some ways. There is a chosen nation by God - and it is called the Church, consisting of all races, tongues, and peoples. There is a chosen people - and they make up the Bride of Christ, to which He is coming again to know perfectly and be with perfectly. At this point, some might question how big of a deal I'm making out of one string of flags on one cross. But the flags on the cross aren't the real point. It's the arrogant mentality (echoed in the article/book previously discussed) that somehow, in someway, because relatively more Christians supposedly live in the US, and since the US has managed to become economically and politically powerful, that God is blessing the USA more than the "Third World". My heart aches - my outrage is not just that this thinking is prideful and presumptuous, but that it defames Christ, and brutally hurts His Bride, the Church. Instead of gloating in our supposed blessedness, why not seek to be God's blessing to the hurting in the rest of world? I know the Church does much to relieve suffering, and I'm excited when I hear about those in America who would "carry their cross" for the poor and oppressed (check out www.ijm.org for a good example). But I also know that statistics have shown that the Evangelical Church in the US (one of the wealthiest demographics ever to exist on this planet) gives less than 3% of its available income to charity, and less than 10% of that (less the .3% of total income) to international aid/missions. Less than .3%. That's pathetic. And I'm ashamed, because I know I don't do much, either.
I don't hate America. In fact, I'm very thankful to live in a place that usually promotes civil liberties and rights, and that has allowed me relative economic proseperity. I'm glad to be an American - I did nothing to deserve the opportunities I can pursue. But I am not proud of how the Church in America has settled for less in many ways by thinking that America's political success is her spiritual success. There is one great Nation under God - and it consists of those who know God because of Christ's sacrifice. That is where my true allegiance lies, and that is the freedom I truly celebrate. America is a good place to exist for now, but I know that I'm meant to live someplace infinitely more free and abundant. And so are you.
First, last Thursday I read an article in support of a book by Rodney Stark entitled The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success. The title by itself was enough to make me skeptical, but I read on. Basically, Mr. Stark argues that, without Christianity's "reason, progress, and moral equality, today the entire world would be about where non-European societies were in, say, 1800," and that we would live in a world of "despots, lacking universities, banks, factories, eyeglasses, chimneys, and pianos." (These are actual quotations from the book) He goes on to suggest that modernism (economic, cultural, and political) only arose in the "Christian" West, and that the primarily Muslim and Buddhist areas of the world are essentially missing out (econcomically, culturally, and politically) because of the lack of Christian influence in those areas. So, after writing this far, I'm already angry again. But here goes. FIRST of all, does the brutal exploitation of colonialism done by the "Christian" West to people in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia (which are primarily Musilm, Hindu, and Buddhist), which allowed the West to become economically prosperous, reflect the "moral equality" of Christianity that Mr. Stark thinks is so pervasive in the Western world? And what about the sweatshops of Western corporations that dot the rest of the world today? How is Christianity reflected in economic systems that blatantly allow such practices, such as employing children to work for pennies a day (if they're lucky) - and a day consisting of upwards of 12 hours of labor sometimes? I don't think Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me so that I can exploit their labor for billion-dollar profits". Secondly, if Mr. Stark's argument is extended, does he suggest that Christianity is somehow validated by economic, political, and cultural "superiority"? Was it not Jesus who lamented how hard it was for the rich to find the Kingdom of Heaven? Was it not the earliest followers of Christ who rejoiced in the midst of poverty and persecution? I'm not suggesting that we should abandon capitalism and live in communes, or that Christian's can't be rich, or even that Christian principles applied in business shouldn't be rewarded. I applaud businessmen who do apply Christian ideals of justice, equality, and help for the underprivileged. But, in my best estimation, any such businessmen are the exception, and not the norm, in the Western world.
My second "patriotic" experience that I want to write about happenned at a concert Thursday night. The concert was meant to be a patriotic tribute to veterans, America, and God, as far as I could tell. The choir sang well, and I appreciated the recognition of military men, and emphasis throughout the night on the importance of parents passing on values to their children. What upset me, outside of momentary confusions of whether I was there to worship my country or my God, was the fact that behind the choir loft a cross was displayed...with American flags coming off of it. The cross, symbolizing the death of Christ...decorated with flags symbolizing the United States of America. Now, I'm perfectly aware that intentions were probably innocent in decorating the church sanctuary in which the concert was held, but really - what were they thinking?! The cross of Christ - on which Jesus Christ was crucified for ALL men for ALL time. The cross - which gave way to the resurrection, which allowed the birth of the Church, made up of all peoples. The cross - outside of which we have NO hope. None. It is through death on the cross that Christ once for ALL provided a way for men to know God and be with Him. The cross - which has NOTHING to do with these United States of America other than the fact that Christians live here. The US is not God's chosen nation. Americans are not God's chosen people. And while our heritage does include strong Christian influences, it also includes influences (such as Greek thought and Enlightenment thought) which are very opposed to Christianity in some ways. There is a chosen nation by God - and it is called the Church, consisting of all races, tongues, and peoples. There is a chosen people - and they make up the Bride of Christ, to which He is coming again to know perfectly and be with perfectly. At this point, some might question how big of a deal I'm making out of one string of flags on one cross. But the flags on the cross aren't the real point. It's the arrogant mentality (echoed in the article/book previously discussed) that somehow, in someway, because relatively more Christians supposedly live in the US, and since the US has managed to become economically and politically powerful, that God is blessing the USA more than the "Third World". My heart aches - my outrage is not just that this thinking is prideful and presumptuous, but that it defames Christ, and brutally hurts His Bride, the Church. Instead of gloating in our supposed blessedness, why not seek to be God's blessing to the hurting in the rest of world? I know the Church does much to relieve suffering, and I'm excited when I hear about those in America who would "carry their cross" for the poor and oppressed (check out www.ijm.org for a good example). But I also know that statistics have shown that the Evangelical Church in the US (one of the wealthiest demographics ever to exist on this planet) gives less than 3% of its available income to charity, and less than 10% of that (less the .3% of total income) to international aid/missions. Less than .3%. That's pathetic. And I'm ashamed, because I know I don't do much, either.
I don't hate America. In fact, I'm very thankful to live in a place that usually promotes civil liberties and rights, and that has allowed me relative economic proseperity. I'm glad to be an American - I did nothing to deserve the opportunities I can pursue. But I am not proud of how the Church in America has settled for less in many ways by thinking that America's political success is her spiritual success. There is one great Nation under God - and it consists of those who know God because of Christ's sacrifice. That is where my true allegiance lies, and that is the freedom I truly celebrate. America is a good place to exist for now, but I know that I'm meant to live someplace infinitely more free and abundant. And so are you.
# posted by G-rant @ 8:15 AM 
