humanator

To begin on familiar ground, to say "America first" is definitely anti-Christian. There is no room for doubt or debate. Not worth discussing. For non-Christians, plenty to brood over.

As to Patriotism itself, the definition in any dictionary is far too broad (and often damaging to the Christian life in its simplest form): "love for one's country and zeal for its interest." No particular attributes, talents, ethos, values, rules, or standards are mentioned or even considered to be part of Patriotism. "Love for one's country"is it: wh**ever that may mean to each person claiming to be a Patriot. Despite the attempts by some to distinguish Patriotism from Nationalism, as if to make Patriotism somewhat more acceptable and Nationalism not so much, both terms fall into an individual's understanding. An act of Patriotism could be "welcoming the stranger" or sealing the borders against them. It could be fighting for L**T rights or looking to limit those rights.

But to the bigger picture. In this country, we have this great Patriotic fervor for our Founding Fathers and documents. The American Revolution is seen as a righteous and courageous fight against tyranny. To question either of those views most would take as s******n, ignorance, or a Soros-backed plan for a One World Order. But what does Scripture say:
"13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."
Pagan Rome was in power as of that writing. The taxes on the Jews in Israel were ruinous. (Keep that in mind, the taxes. Remember what Jesus said about taxes: "Render unto Caesar....") A person had to declare Caesar as lord. Infanticide was common. Their temples were place of gross debauchery. They ens***ed millions and slaughtered the rest. That was Rome when Paul wrote "...for there is no authority except that which God has established." There is no addendum added, saying, "...except tyrannical governments who charge too much in taxes." What is the imperative in these verses? "Whoever rebels against the authority is REBELLING AGAINST GOD..." The American Colonies did that in 1776, pure and simple. They violated Scripture.

We hear all these popular modern day Evangelicals like Jerry Falwell Jr. and Franklin Graham and many others enumerating the sins of this modern era in America and saying how far this country has fallen. How could it have fallen or deteriorated into the wide-spread practice of sin if it was from the start a "good tree"? A "good tree," according to Jesus, cannot bear "bad fruit." We may be at the point of either calling Jesus a liar or admitting that America is not only not a Christian nation but by its rebellious spirit has bad roots. The Declaration of Independence was a total study in hypocrisy. Only white land-owners had, at that time, unalienable rights...and that did not change for decades and more. We v**ed in s***ery. We v**ed in removing Native Americans from their lands. We kept women from v****g. We had our government attack workers protesting for a sustainable wage. We put dictators in power because they served our interest. We allowed horrific segregation for 100 years. We have not been very nice in many areas.

But Paul never said in all of Romans13 that we were to submit to the governing authorities. Not to rebel is not the same as utter submission. What did he state was the way of Patriotism? This is a citizen of any country, as a Christian: "for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." Love of neighbor and enemy alike, not abject submission to authority, is Patriotism. No country with borders and special interests deserves our love.

Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas

Get in line and fill out the form, goody two shoes.

We'll get to you when your whining subsides.

humanator

Submitted the form, anxious for my grade. Please hurry. Do not think I will sleep a wink without your approval. Is my whining exceptional or not? On pins and needles.

Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas

Your grade is a D for desperate.

So desperate that you pulled out your Christian card and now you're brow beating us with Jesus.

And all because we want to put "America First".

Well goody two shoes, I'm no patriot and I'm NOT a Christian.

But I believe in the word of God and the holy bible.

The old testament is full of examples of putting ones own people first.

Here's an example of putting ones own people first by the order of God himself.

1 Samuel 15:3
("Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.")

Now I don't think our sense of patriotism is that extreme.

But maybe you'll admit that putting America First isn't quite as much of a " Non Christian like " idea as you make it out to be.

humanator

Roman taxation of the Jews was absolutely ruinous, taxation was the major complaint against Rome, and that t*****r Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar..." Jesus fulfilled the Law. No more eye for an eye. Read Mt:5. He brought a New Order that did not change the old but found its end in spirit. Three times he put the righteousness of the h**ed and riviled Samaritan above that of the so-called "chosen people." He was not being very patriotic in those two things. More than anything that led to his death was not siding with Israel or the so-called "pillars of society" at his time. They had awaited a Messiah that would return their state to independence and power, shrug off their oppressor, and Jesus was a great disappointment. He had no patriotism for Israel or towards the chosen people: his only allegiance was to the Father.

reconreb Loc: America / Inglis Fla.

Go hug a muslim , get your jihad on , do you prefer a cell phone or hand trigger to detonate ? All kinds of patriots around the world , just depends on which side your on ,, does it not ?? Do not be foolish enough to try and pick through Bible quotes and definitions to fit your agenda ,, you're not smart enough to pull it off !!!!

Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas

Your D is now downgraded to an F for foolish.

Logic has eluded you and you have set yourself against me.

I v**ed for Trump and for that reason you have deserted me.

Now you favor those who seek to come to my country and change it to suit their desire for Islam and Sharia law.

Anger over the loss of an e******n has driven you to the brink of madness and since you didn't get what you wanted you would sacrifice it all so that no one will have peace.

You're a political apostate.

A Judas, a Benedict Arnold,

A back-stabber, betrayer, defector, deserter, double-crosser, fink, hypocrite, impostor, miscreant, quisling, snake, treasonist and turncoat.

"Quisling" describes you quite sufficiently.

(definition) Quisling ~ a t*****r who collaborates with an enemy force occupying their country.
synonyms: collaborator, colluder, sympathizer

So say hello to your new name, Quisling.

humanator

You obviously misunderstood my point. Love of neighbor does not allow me to betray the people of this country and I would not aid and abet anyone committed to harming the people of this country.

In a worldly sense, America is a phenomenon. Nothing like this nation ever. It is exceptional. Why? Because of our basic liberties enshrined in the Bill of Rights. Freedom of speech and the press gave us the means to correct our bad policies and actions. We corrected our errors and looked to make things right. No other nation that ever existed has been so dedicated to making a better life for its people and willing to change to make that possible. Incredible. Unheard of. But freedom is a highly dangerous thing, like nitroglycerine, with as much potential to destroy as to pave the way. If we are not wholly dedicated to the ideals and principles of liberty, which come through a love of neighbor, we will forsake them under sufficient threat, bargaining away liberty for safety. You blinked. You went with fear. When the Catholics came from Ireland during the "potato famine," they were greeted with the same hostility as Muslims today by the predominantly protestant view. All sorts of lies were spread about them. Stores had signs that read either Irish or Catholic "need not apply" for work.

Liberty as ours comes everyday with mortal risk, something that is part of the deal to live free. You apparently prefer safety over freedom.

Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas

Muslims don't want freedom.

They don't want democracy and they care nothing about a Republic.

They believe their women to be no more than property.

And unless you convert to Islam you are considered and infidel, fit only for servitude or death.

Your words prove you to be dangerously ignorant and infinitely stupid.

You're a Quisling, plain and simple.

Bevos

Bevos

You cannot have safety without freedom, so your comment is mute!!!

humanator

What? Freedom is inherent danger. There is no safety in freedom. It is always risk, a dare. To be truly free takes huevos nearly everyday. It demands constant vigilance and hard work. Freedom is the last thing most people want in their heart about government: they want safety and the familiar.

Bevos

You sound like an Obamabot. Remember when he CLAIMED that NOBODY could survive without the Government??? I Say the GOVERNMENT cannot survive without the PEOPLE!!!
Freedom WAS in inherent danger, but, Obama is now OUT of Office and now has LITTLE CONTROL. AND his control is about to get a LOT LESS!!! If he thinks that bunker is going to protect him, he is as mistaken as HITLER, the OTHER TYRANT, was!!!

humanator

Okay, thank you for sharing.