Posted on 03/07/2008 7:22:02 PM PST by DouglasKC
The horrific Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, accompanied by the hijackings and subsequent crashing of four domestic passenger jets, were universally condemned by almost all governments, including many that have been traditional foes of the United States.
Amid all the carnage and the confusion that Americans felt, one question frequently asked was: "Why do people hate us so much?" Pictures of people rejoicing in the streets of other nations stood out in stark contrast to news reports of expressions of sympathy and support from around the world. Obviously hatred of the United States has grown intense and deep in some parts of the world. Quite rightly, people want to know why.
The simplistic answer to that question is that the United States backs Israel. Mounting frustration with the situation in the Middle East has increased anger against America. Many in the area feel that if the United States puts pressure on Israel it would make concessions to the Palestinians.
Israel's existence is certainly one contributing factor. Another is the presence of American and British troops on Muslim soil (see "Anger Mounts Following Gulf War"). But these explanations overlook the fact that there is much hatred and resentment directed toward the United States throughout the world, not just in the Middle East.
No doubt many factors contribute to this increased anti-American feeling, not the least of which is jealousy over America's great wealth. But one scripture helps us to understand why the problem has worsened in recent decades: "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Proverbs 14:34, NIV).
Not so long ago America was looked up to by the rest of the world. After the failure of their kings and emperors to avoid the carnage of World War I, Europeans looked to President Woodrow Wilson to show them a new and better way. But lack of support at home meant that America was not able to stay involved. It was different after World War II. This time, Americans were committed to helping the rest of the world, and the United States took over the responsibility of leading the free nations.
Even in the Middle East, combatants looked to the United States to take the lead. It was President Carter who brought Egypt and Israel together. Successive presidents have been involved in the area and have always been able to talk with both sides. But in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, Americans saw Palestinians dancing in the streets and celebrating America's agony.
Clearly, respect and appreciation for America are not as great as they were before. The Bible helps us understand this change in America's fortunes.
The Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, chapter 28, promises blessings for obedience to God's laws and curses—serious negative consequences—for disobedience. It may seem illogical to see this as an explanation of the terrorist attacks on the United States, but the fact is that America is not as respected as it used to be, and many sound reasons exist for this decline in respect.
Islamic fundamentalists, who are behind many such attacks, fear America's cultural influence on their societies. Of course, hatred and terrorism are utterly evil and inexcusable responses, no matter what the basis for such thinking is. Indeed, America is hated for many right principles that should not be altered. Jesus Christ was hated and He was a perfect human being. Nevertheless, we should consider that some negative feelings toward the United States have been engendered by views and behavior that are immoral and nationally degrading.
American television shows and movies constantly undermine the traditional family, both in the United States and around the world. The characters are frequently shown scantily dressed, using foul language, showing no respect to their elders and constantly obsessing about sex. Other shows portray an image of an extremely violent society. Western countries, sadly, have grown so accustomed to such images and behavior that they no longer think anything of it—but more religious countries feel increasingly threatened by these degenerate influences. This has only worsened in the last decade with satellite television and the Internet now widely available.
News of perverse sexual scandals at the very top of American society and government have lessened respect for America's political institutions. Information on these is more widespread as a result of advances in communications during the last few years.
Additionally, the United States accounts for some 80 percent of the world's pornography, freely available in many countries. In others, illegal adult movie theaters show X-rated American videos. Though clearly there's a double standard involved, many people watching them have only contempt for the United States—and even more so those religious people who are appalled at America's perverse yet lucrative exports.
Deuteronomy 28 shows that obedience to God's laws results in a nation being "set on high above all nations of the earth" (verse 1), as the United States was in the years that followed its humble beginnings right up until after World War II. The chapter promises specific blessings for obedience, including God's support against hostile powers (verse 7). America's history certainly shows the nation was blessed when its behavior and laws were based primarily on God's commandments.
Beginning in verse 15 we see the negative consequences of disobedience. Verse 16 says, "Cursed shall you be in the city." Those living in many U.S. cities no longer find them safe and secure.
Many will read this and feel that the responsibility for diminished security lies elsewhere. Yet the book of Joshua, chapter 7, contains a story of one man, Achan, who committed a sin that affected the whole nation's security. The biblical account clearly shows that Achan himself had committed the sin of taking spoil from recently conquered Jericho, against God's specific instructions to the people of Israel. Yet God's judgment was that "Israel has sinned" (Joshua 7:11). Joshua had to find and punish the transgressor before Israel could expect another victory.
The account shows the importance of everyone conducting himself in a way that is pleasing to God if a nation is to reap God's blessings.
All very simple. We do not worship Allah.
In truth, the world loves us but dictatorial thugs hate us.
You said it!!
There is no god named allah and mohammad was a false prophet!
Do you believe our collective sin has anything to do with it?
Because we’re beautiful?
Hollywood?
" American television shows and movies constantly undermine the traditional family, both in the United States and around the world. The characters are frequently shown scantily dressed, using foul language, showing no respect to their elders and constantly obsessing about sex. Other shows portray an image of an extremely violent society. Western countries, sadly, have grown so accustomed to such images and behavior that they no longer think anything of it—but more religious countries feel increasingly threatened by these degenerate influences. This has only worsened in the last decade with satellite television and the Internet now widely available."
Envy because of our personal freedoms.
One of the seven deadly sins, Envy.
Sinful lifestyles by some?
A defining judgment by some apparently.
Maybe. Maybe envy at our great wealth and affluence. But can that be all?
“Why Do People Hate Us So Much?”
Because many of these countries have lived on the dole - our dole. No one likes to be indebted to another; it hurts the ego.
Back in the 50’s there were already many Europeans who disliked America in spite of the Marshall Plan. It is an extreme case of ENVY.
How about it? Any thought that our current situation is primarily due to our sins as a nation ala Deuteronomy 28?
The whole notion that the United states was universally loved and respected is a false notion. We were called the Ugly Americans back in the early ‘60s because of our postwar economic success and penetration into all of the world’s economies.
Frankly, who gives a rat’s ass if we are loved? I’d rather we be feared. There has been no other nation in the entire history of the world that has freed more people, been more generous to friend and foe alike, expended as much treasure, been more forbearing and patient, and expended more blood on behalf of others without any benefit of free territory or resources, which has been the right of conquering powers since time began. Where’s my cheap oil the lefties proclaim is the result of the Iraq War?
What people have we enslaved? What resources have we plundered? What territory have we taken?
What do I care if Europe and Russia don’t like us? What have they ever accomplished? Remember their response to the run up to the Iraq War? They were up to their eyeballs in the Food for Oil scandal. Russia helped Iraq move and dismantle the WMDs we should have found.
So, let’s reach down, find our collective testicles, and tell the rest of the world to screw off.
The rest of the world will never love us, and we shouldn’t care a wit about it. After 9/11, ask yourself: who came to our aid? Who gave treasure and blood to ally with us in our quest to remove threats to our security? Who raised money for the families of 9/11?
The list is a very short one.
It is past time that we rein on the resources we are wasting on the rest of the world. The Chinese and Arabs have the money now—what alms are they providing for the world’s poor? Let the UN get their money from them.
In the last 63 years, think of the TRILLIONS of dollars and the hundreds of thousands of American GIs this country has sacrificed on behalf of others around the world. Those trillions could have been spent here. And the self appointed critics overseas and at the UN think they have a right to criticize US?
To hell with that notion.
They don’t have to love me—but they better damn well fear me. Time to crack some heads worldwide. Dialogue be damned.
The whole notion that the United states was universally loved and respected is a false notion. We were called the Ugly Americans back in the early ‘60s because of our postwar economic success and penetration into all of the world’s economies.
This was an interesting statement that got me researching a bit. The article posits that we're exporting the worst of our culture to other nations and that this is a primary cause for the hatred. The concept of "Ugly American" to me was the stereotypical idea that an American in another country doesn't respect the culture and morals of that society. I'm not sure that our economic growth would have anything to do with it, though I could be wrong.
I did get curious about the phrase "Ugly American" and found out it was based on a a book.
I would agree that America has been generous to others, but now days it seems like other factors are outweighing our generosity.
Do not use potty language on the Religion Forum.
Why do people “hate” us so much?
Better question- why do we need to build fences to keep people OUT of our country?
Kinda lays the lie to the “hate” thing, no?
Did East Germany, Russia, Cuba, North Korea, etc etc etc, ever need to worry about people breaking IN?!:?!
This is totally a “do you still beat your wife” kind of question. There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who love us desperately enough to risk their lives to join us, and those who don’t know us.
I did not realize this was on the Religion forum, but nonetheless, my choice of language was not wise.
I apologize.
I’ve got an even MORE puzzling question -
why to our fellow citizens hate our country so much?
Yes, actually, this IS a rhetoical question - I know why.
Don't use the word "potty" on the religion forum...or anywhere else for that matter... :-)
Because we’re better than they are. Next question?
Why do our own people hate us?
They have been told to. And they lack the mud to know it.
Good question. Our economic standard of living is better than almost anywhere else. It's the old "streets are paved with gold" thing. Do you think this is the main reason?
Yes, I really should not be so indirect-;)
This is a subject that obviously torx me to no end.
And yes, the phrase “The Ugly American” is the title of the book, and was in popular vogue prior to the book being published. I believe a movie was made also.
Why?
“Why Do People Hate Us So Much?”
I’m not convinced that the majority of the world’s population does hate us. Lots of gov’ts do but who cares? You do what is right, ‘they’ don’t like it .....tough. Why waste time on the question?
Please allow me to throw in my 2-cents.
You don’t owe an apology to anyone or for anything. Everything you stated in your post is true.
Leftwing brainwashing in our educational/indoctrinational systems.
Purpose - destruction of our culture to be replaced with authoritarian secular socialism.
Secondary. Yes it i sbetter. Why?
==FREEDOM. OWNERSHIP. -Hard work pays off.
And who is trying to reverse that?
Who is trying to make hard work not pay off, but rather hard work pays for more useless idiots who don’t like work and you gotta give part of your check to them...
Clearly “hatred” is not a fruit of the spirit and so those who hate us because of our perceived sinfulness and because of their perceived righteousness are at best hypocrites. But does the article have a point about the result of sin as it pertains to blessings and curses from God?
Others like the Russians, do not hate us but they are afraid of us and our power. The Chinese hate us because we stand in the way of their takeover of the pacific theater.
Wow. If you feel the need to apologize for that very well tempered presentation of cold hard truth then I may as well pack up my keyboard.
Nicely done. Don’t lose your passion. Okay, I guess throttle back the ‘potty” words, but let me tell you, I would have been way worse.
I think it goes deeper, but I would agree with that when it comes to American liberals.
If your main source for info on the US was CNN international you would hate the US too.
Do you find it ironic that the Dems claim that Bush has created our enemies when our enemies flat out state that it is the perversion of Hollywood that they oppose?
Deliciously so. And you just know that the left is being used by our enemies.
You are so right. I often watch CNN and think that if I did not know better, I would hate the US too.
Republicans are the rich folks right? They are the ones with the power? How is it that Conservatives can’t buy CNN and put out the truth?
Can you say “USEFUL IDIOTS”?
No.
Sin lies only in hurting other people unnecessarily. All other "sins" are invented nonsense. (Hurting yourself is not sinful -- just stupid).Robert A. Heinlein, Time Enough for Love, 1973
Interesting take on that very issue here.
Thank you both for your comments.
I hope not to lose my passion, but I do have a tendency to not use the best words to convey that passion.
This post would be fine for “News”, but since I was reading from the Comments column, I didn’t realize that is was on the Religion board, and those on this board may not wish to hear some of those words, and I respect that, and that is why I apologized.
I thought this was posted under News, and it would have been entirely in context there.
I figure that some good arguments can lose power with the words with which they are presented, so the Moderator’s mild rebuke to me was a good reminder of that fact.
They hate us because we're beautiful AND can fight?
Others like the Russians, do not hate us but they are afraid of us and our power. The Chinese hate us because we stand in the way of their takeover of the pacific theater.
We certainly are a player on the world scene and have to be dealt with by anyone who has grand designs.
I would vehemently disagree with the quote, but I'll read the book (again?) I don't remember if I read that one. Thanks for the quote/suggestion.
First off ,Why should we care if the hate us.I want them to fear us as many of them did and many more will get the opurtunity.Get some!
News of perverse sexual scandals at the very top of American society and government have lessened respect for America's political institutions. Information on these is more widespread as a result of advances in communications during the last few years.
Factors or not?
I don't have enough travel experience or personal experience with other people around the world to make a judgment so you could be right. It's an interesting question though and I liked the article so I posted it. :-)
You’re also really mean
Well said. I’m with you.
As for the language, it’s nothing Bill Buckley wouldn’t have said (on the other hand, maybe he wouldn’t have said it in church).
When we get our economy back in order, they will look up to us again.
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