Bene Diction recently discussed the state of spirituality in Canada. “God Bless America” is indeed a very beautiful song, but I think in recent years, some nationalistic sentiment has creeped into the phrase.
Shortly after 9/11 (or 11/9, depending on where you live), the members of Congress that sang for the press were singing mostly for the healing of the country. However, as time progressed, the use of the phrase by President Bush and friends has definitely changed from idealism to nationalism.
To borrow another American phrase, I think “One Nation Under God” should become “One People Under God.”
The United States was created with the loftiest goal I can think of. It was designed to be a Christian nation, but the Christian founding fathers, in their wisdom, designed our core legal document to prevent the suppression of other religions.
This is exactly how God treats humanity: he provides us His way, the only way, but He loves us so much that He gives us the freedom to choose a different way.
I think we humans can learn a lot from Him.
Thanks Jesse.
I think Jackson brought up a great point, and I responded in my comment section.
I’m not going to get political, I happen to have a foot in two places, Canada and the Kingdom.
For me, the Kingdom comes first.
I’m proud of being Canadian with a cavet….
as a citizen of my country I try to prayfully and intelligently engage in our political process, our wrongdoings to ourselves and others, ever mindful of the world outside the borders,and grateful for all I’ve been given.
I enjoy all of Irving Berlin’s music, he is a top notch 20th century composer. Blog on!
I admire your one-world sentiment, but wonder if you realize that the U.S. has –surely– bent over backwards to realize that ideal, more than any nation on earth. The prayer of one people under god is championed here, more than anywhere else in the world.
The U.S. created the United Nations after World War Two. We abide rogue states there who have no respect for human rights at all, because we know there has to be dialouge. These countries, some of them, lecture us for failing to live up to our own ideals. (Syria, Libya, Iran, etc).
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union lectured us about police brutality, racism, and economic injustice. This, from a country that murdered millions of its own people and sent countless more to gulags. Never underestimate the sheer chutzpah of our enemies.
Patriotism and nationalism can be virtuous when your country is a beacon of freedom. It’s very ugly in a Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia, granted, but that’s simply because, well, they were evil.
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I noticed your comment on Bene’s blog. I don’t know your opinions or beliefs (not having read through your archives). I’m sorry if I sound patronizing.
I believe the U.S. national anthem is already a siren call to humanity, to all the people of the world. “God Bless America” is intended as a prayer for all mankind, and the Pledge of Allegiance is a promise to uphold the Constitution, not the speckled United Nations (with all its rogue dictatorships).
“We are the World” is a nice sentiment, but thank goodness there are legal entities (nations) that protect of god-given rights and freedoms.
Thanks, Jackson. I appreciate the visit.
While I think the U.S. has certainly been one of the most influential beacons for freedom, I also have no doubt that the country has a long, long way to go before it can claim to be a moral leader.
I also see Christianity being attacked legally on all fronts. From what I understand, I don’t think the U.S. was designed to the exclusion of all religions, but rather the inclusion of all. There have been many documented cases of Christianity being challenged legally, but not Judaism, Buddhism, New Age, or others.
On a secular note, it’s also important to realize that the United States is responsible for many unjust acts, such as the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.
The U.S. has a long way to go. It’s much further along the road than many other countries, but by no means is it there yet.