Musings on 'Merica

“I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” - James Baldwin 

Let me preface this entry by saying that I am currently wearing a light blue chambray dress, navy cardigan, navy flats with white polka dots, and a not-so-subtle American flag headband. I thoroughly enjoy the 4th of July, particularly the fireworks, the goofy behavior of my compatriots, and the annual Exley family reunion. Alas, I will not be enjoying any of those things this year since I am in Guatemala. But that won't keep me from sharing some thoughts on this day...

There is, understandably, a lot of talk today about "freedom" and "liberty." While we as a nation extol these values, how ironic that we we do so while suppressing these very values both within and outside our borders. We talk about how awesome it is to be free and live in a democratic nation, yet we turn away when we see liberties supressed elsewhere. We value self-determination, yet we invade other countries and overthrow their governments. We say "liberty and justice for all," but what we really mean is "liberty and justice when it's convenient for us."

"God bless America" is not in the Bible. Our country is no better than any other. Jesus does not love us more than He loves anyone else. We have not been called to violently impose our values elsewhere. Jesus came to break down walls, not to give us reasons to build them. And if we claim to follow Him, we ought to sow peace (which cannot be achieved by dropping bombs). I do a crappy job of peace-making most of the time, but I want to do better. And I want my country to do better.

Some additional thoughts from my favorite modern-day prophet, Shane Claiborne:

“Some folks may be really bummed to find that "God bless America" does not appear in the Bible. So often we do things that make sense to us and ask God to bless our actions and come alongside our plans, rather than looking at the things God promises to bless and acting alongside of them. For we know that God's blessing will inevitably follow if we are with the poor, the merciful, the hungry, the persecuted, the peacemakers. But sometimes we'd rather have a God who conforms to our logic than conform our logic to the God whose wisdom is a stumbling block to the world of smart bombs and military intelligence.” 

“How ironic is it to see a bumper sticker that says 'Jesus is the answer' next to a bumper sticker supporting the war in Iraq, as if to says 'Jesus is the answer - but not in the real world.”