Christianity and the military, and how they fit together oh so nicely.

I saw a facebook status update today that absolutely set me off. It said:

WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Press 1 for English. Press 2 to disconnect until you learn to speak English. And remember only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, JESUS CHRIST And the AMERICAN SOLDIER. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. If you agree... copy and paste in your status. Support Our Troops!!!

So I thought I would write a quick blog just to share some thoughts, pose some questions, and hear some answers on this whole idea of Jesus, America, and how they mesh (or really shouldn't). First of all let me say that my thoughts on this are not flippant, and I don't hate people in the military. Some of my closest friends and family members (best friends from high school, uncles, ministry partners) are or were members of the military, and this isn't something I am scared to discuss face to face with them.

OK, so let's just look at this status update for a minute, because not only does it have huge flaws, it represents a large percent of the christian population in america. Now why does the English thing bother us so much? And what gave us the right to demand that everyone in this country speak English? I've heard so many people say "Well I'm an American citizen *and I think well gee, you wanna cookie* and I shouldn't have to press one for English!" Arrogant much? What did you do to become an American citizen anyway? For most people who like to complain about pressing one for English *is your finger just to tired?*, the only reason they are American is because they were born. Guess what, so was everyone else! It's not a major achievement. Although I can see where that gets hazy once a year when everyone congratulates you on being born and gives you gifts and says nice things to you. So step one, if you were born an american citizen, you didn't do anything but receive an amazing blessing from God. You HUMBLY thank him for it and not sound like a 3 old child who thinks you deserve something more for no reason. The second part of that is btw, English is not even the official language of the United States. We don't have one! Several state governments have adopted English as the official language, often along with Spanish, French, and other languages specific to that region. Guys, I'm speaking to Christians here, this is just arrogant and unbiblical. Why are we so against a simple courtesy to someone who isn't fluent in English?

OK, now for the second part of this statement. "And remember only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, JESUS CHRIST And the AMERICAN SOLDIER. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom" Let me just say it is like someone shoving bamboo under my fingernails to have someone so closely relate themselves to Jesus. Also, there are people who I know would die for me in a heartbeat, the first people that comes to mind is my family. I can't count how many times my dad has said he would be willing to die for me, or go to prison for me, or even kill for me. Plus, there are some MAJOR differences in the death of Jesus and the death of the American soldier. Jesus gave up all His power to die in my place for my sins. A soldier uses all of their power to kill the enemy but may die for my freedom.

This is where people are really gonna get mad at me, but that's ok, wouldn't be the first time. I am going to overgeneralize, but this is from my experience growing up in the Church and Christian school. I think we justify the american military and american war because we associate it with religious freedom. It's like the rational is, "Because they let me be a Christian, God must be OK with it." But the problem is that rational is never supported in scripture. Gal. 5:1 says "It is for freedom Christ has set us free." We are free because of Christ. We are free from the bondage of sin and death. No where can you find reference to us needed to be free in other way to worship God. It does however talk about loving your enemies, and praying for those who persecute you.

This is where someone says, "So what, you think we should just let these other countries come bomb us? You are OK with them killing us and our children? Is that what you want?!?!" Well of course not! I'm not a sadist. I don't want to die. I'm not suicidal. But is it what I think is right, yes. When Steven was being stoned, the bible doesn't record him picking up a rock and throwing it back. When Paul was imprisoned, there was never an attack on the guards. When Jesus was crucified, He never even cried out.

I think it's sad that at my Christian school the American flag always stood above the Christian flag. It makes me sad the same political party that would fight against abortion would be so eager to fight a war. It makes me both sad and uncomfortable that so many of my Christian friends so passionately support our troops in the same way they support the Gospel. It makes me really uncomfortable when around the fourth of July we sing patriotic songs as a lead in to our worship music in church. What is that implying? That Jesus likes our country best, and wants us to win any war at the cost of the lives of people who are another nationality?

I do believe that the bible wasn't joking when it said "there's a time for war and a time for peace." I'm just not so trusting in our government that when they say it's time for war, that's a direct command from God. I'm not convinced that our congress spent time fasting and praying and seeking the Lord before they declared war.

I would like to close with this little ditty that when i hear it, it always brings me right to the foot of the cross, and I always can picture Jesus singing it *if you could hear my voice, it's dripping with sarcasm*

Now this nation that I love is fallin' under attack.
A mighty sucker-punch came flying in from somewhere in the back.
Soon as we could see clearly through our big black eye,
Man, we lit up your world like the fourth of July.

Hey, Uncle Sam put your name at the top of his list,
And the Statue of Liberty started shaking her fist.
And the eagle will fly and it's gonna be hell,
When you hear Mother Freedom start ringing her bell.
And it'll feel like the whole wide world is raining down on you.
Ah, brought to you, courtesy of the red, white and blue.

Justice will be served
And the battle will rage
This big dog will fight
When you rattle his cage
And you'll be sorry that you messed with
The U.S. of A.
'Cause we'll put a boot in your ass
It's the American way