Posted on 04/10/2002 1:35:14 PM PDT by Starmaker
To live in America is to live in a society that consistently refers to G-d in one form or another. Our currency serves as a reminder that we should place our trust in G-d, not money. The president of the United States typically ends every speech with the same three words: "G-d bless America." A word of prayer opens each session of Congress. Even a simple sneeze evokes a courtesy "G-d bless you" from those standing nearby.
In the aftermath of Sept. 11, the phrase "G-d bless America" became the rallying cry for Americans and a symbol of our unity. The House of Representatives went so far as to pass a resolution encouraging schools to proudly display the phrase as a sign of support for the nation. The song "G-d Bless America" received more airplay than Britney Spears and inspired countless CD collections of patriotic music dedicated to this land that we love.
On Sept. 12, the day after the deadly terrorist bombings, over 200 members of Congress gathered on the steps of the capitol and joined in a chorus of "G-d Bless America." Tears were shed. Spirits were lifted. Our unity as a nation was reinforced. However, as I watched that display on television, I couldn't help but wonder what people were thinking as they sang those poignant words.
Were they sincere? Did they really mean what they were singing? Did they honestly believe that America was in need of blessing from above or was it more of an exercise in group therapy? Were those lyrics the prayer of a humbled nation or simply the hollow mantra of an arrogant society?
Judging from the sudden flare and subsequent fade of an interest in spiritual matters in the months following 9/11 I can only assume that for many Americans singing "G-d Bless America" is merely a way of paying lip service to some nebulous entity floating aimlessly around the cosmos, just in case it happens, by some weird coincidence, to check in to see what's going on down here. This was my impression as I watched, over time, those normally hostile toward religion joining together in song, swaying back and forth, eyes closed, hands lifted in mock prayer. A new fad had been born.
Even traditionally conservative Christians began jumping on the "G-d Bless America" bandwagon. Congregations added the song to their Sunday morning repertoire, preachers pounded the pulpit in a patriotic fervor, and petitions were circulated to make "G-d Bless America" our second official national anthem. It soon became clear that what was happening had little to do with honoring the G-d of the Bible and had more to do with satisfying some strange desire to feel good about ourselves.
It seems there quite a few in this country who believe that G-d is under some obligation to bless America, especially after such tragic events as seen on Sept. 11. Many view our relationship with the Creator of the Universe as one of give and take, almost as if there is some law of physics that can be applied. For every tragedy, there is an equal and opposite blessing.
The truth is that we have already been blessed beyond our wildest imaginations—and squandered most of those blessings away. To expect G-d's blessings to continue to rain down like quarters from heaven is a bit shortsighted on our part. G-d is under no obligation to bless America. In fact, you might say that He is under more of an obligation to judge America.
We have enjoyed virtually every luxury life has to offer, yet continue to want more. We have ignored the responsibility that comes with the blessings of liberty and, in our laziness, have allowed others to make decisions for us. Our children, normally considered to be a blessing from G-d, have been removed from the family to be raised and indoctrinated by the state or, worse yet, sacrificed on the altar of abortion in the name of convenience.
Let's begin to ask ourselves what we mean when we utter the words "G-d bless America." Is it a command or a request? Is it indicative of our hopes or our expectations? If G-d chose to bless us by humbling our nation and breaking us to the point of repentance, would we be just as carefree in our use of that phrase? Is the "G-d" we call upon to bless America the holy, just and righteous G-d of the Bible or some generic spirit?
Before we encapsulate our emotions in a catchy little phrase, let's take the time to examine our own hearts. It would be the epitome of selfishness and arrogance to ask G-d to bless us when we have not even demonstrated our thankfulness for what He has already done.
To comment on this article or express your opinion directly to the author, you are invited to e-mail Lee at ever_vigilant@hotmail.com .
??? I guess this fits. Someone who wants to hang us for this can only be an insane vigilante that needs serious medical treatment.
Ain't no such thing.
Dan
What is the importance of using "G-d" instead?
It's a REQUEST for blessings. The perceived 'obligation' he mentions is a strawman.
Exactly. The "May" is implied.
Please.
It always reminds me of Lord Russell talking about a conversation he had with a nun. He asked if she wore her habit all the time and she told him yes. He then asked what she did when bathing. She replied they get in the tub fully clothed, pull a black sheet over the tub, and get undressed beneath that.
He asked why, because there couldn't possibly be a man around to see her naked and she responded, "You forget the good Lord".
Which made him realize that she viewed God as some sort of omnipotent peeping Tom who could see through brick walls but was foiled by a piece of black cloth.
"G-d" is the same to me. Is God the only party that does realize what you're saying? That he won't be accidentally profaned by anything said - so long as you drop the "o", leaving him completely baffled as to whom you were talking about?
I can see the conversation at Judgment now: “Well, it seems like you profaned someone three times in your life but the person was ‘G-d’. I don’t know who that is so, you can have a pass on it”.
I know it’s a long standing Jewish tradition but, it’s ridiculous. And it’s very difficult to take people serious when they write this way.
He is if America believes Genesis 12: 1-3 and establishes its policy towards Israel accordingly. By His own word God is willingly obligated.
And since this article mentions 9-11, it is interesting to note that shortly after 9-11 the news came out that America was poised to officially endorse a Palestinian state -- before the events of 9-11 interrupted those plans.
G-d bless America? Never hear of it. Is it anything like God bless America?
Many of us give God thanks every day. The author can speak for himself.
To many christians it is the same as the commnandment to not use the Lord's name in vane. This is true for writing as well. It is a sign of respect and reverence for our Lord the same way that christians always use capital letters even for the pronouns.
I just about choked on a pretzel thinking you finally embraced atheism. But then you cleared up what you meant. Maybe one day! :)
Careful. This is shaky ground.
During the Yom Kippur war, the US government almost insanely withheld anti-tank weapons from the Israelis, and, according to legend, provided highly detailed signal intelligence to the Arabs. (Remember the Liberty?) Many in Israel believed they were going to lose that war. It was only at the last minute that some elements of the US military and government arrangement shipments of anti-tank weapons to Israel and allowed the tide to turn...
Also, despite the strange and grasping Bush apologists here on FR, it doesn't appear that the current administration is deeply committed to the well being of Israel.
Genesis 12:2-3 --
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you...
America has never allowed Israel to suffer as she has of late. America has never been cursed by terrorist attacks as she has of late. Let's beware of post hoc, ergo propter hoc reasoning, but also let's beware of making God angry.
Mark W.
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