God is not an American
Having lived overseas for more than 21 years I have come to the obvious understanding that God is not an American. I may have actually thought that as a youngster, I can't really remember. But clearly He is not an American. Nor is He Chinese, Russian, German, Bosnian or Macedonian. God is God. He is above and over nations and cultures.
Then why is it, I wonder, we tend to think that God is an American and supports everything American. Does our sense of "manifest destiny" still apply to todays American culture? Surely not! I cannot believe that God favors a country that heaps enormous amounts of selfishness and greed on itself while ignoring the genuine physical, emotional, spiritual and financial needs of its own people; let alone the millions that face abject poverty overseas.
Don't misunderstand me. I AM an American. And I am sometimes proud to be an American. But when I return to America after long stints overseas, I see America in a different light than I used to. I find myself wincing at the attitudes of Americans that "can't do" without 55" HD plasma televisions while at the same time ignoring the poor and disenfranchised.
I appreciate our freedoms and know that fredom is not free. I know all that. But surely we have exchanged our freedoms for a license to do whatever we feel like doing. THAT is what makes me know that God is not an American.
Trent
posted by Trent @ 10:44 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
While there are many things that are grievously wrong with America, I think you’re making an overgeneralization in assuming that the majority of Americans are selfish. While people of all nationalities are guilty of selfishness to some degree, Americans have been known as some of the most generous people in the world. According to U.S. State Department figures (as reported in World Net Daily on 3/22/02), the United States is the world leader in humanitarian assistance and food aid, providing more than $3 billion in 2000. Furthermore, the United States leads the world in charitable donations to developing countries with $4 billion in 2000.
According to Giving USA Foundation, charitable giving in the United States reached $248.52 billion for 2004, which was a new record for philanthropic giving in America (aafrc.org). “Charitable giving is the lifeblood of more than a million American nonprofits,” said Henry Goldstein, chair of the Giving USA Foundation. “Contributions fund research in medicine and the social sciences, endow scholarships, and so much more.” According to C. Ray Clements, chair of the American Association of Fundraising Counsel, “About 70 to 80 percent of Americans contribute annually to at least one charity.” Contrary to the claims of liberal pundits, charitable giving also reached record highs during the 1980s in the wake of President Reagan’s tax cuts, which left Americans with more disposable income. Instead of spending it all on themselves, significant numbers of Americans donated much of it to charity.
I only know one person who owns a plasma TV, and it was given to her as a gift. Of course there are selfish people in America, but please don’t forget about the many Americans who sacrifice greatly so that others can be blessed. I have been privileged to know many of them myself, and I was especially grateful for their selfless generosity when I was in desperate need.
A friend of mine is fond of saying, "May God bless America, as Americans bless God." While Americans can be quite generous with their finances, we have not given God His due. I think the biggest problem in America isn't that we don't help the poor but that we have removed God from the throne room of our hearts. We've kicked Him out of our schools, courtrooms, and the public square. Given this reality, why should He bless us?
Way to get the conversation going, Gandalf. I've been back a week and find myself quite stumped how to respond to just such the things you mentioned. We miss you and Sharon but are glad you're doing well. :)
Amen Trent! The Americans that don't agree with you have obviously not stepped out of America. Daj
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