Today, I heard for the umpteenth time that America is a terrorist nation for sending troops to Afghanistan, Israel is a terrorist nation for murdering so many poor Muslims all year round, that Bush is as evil as bin Laden for killing so many innocent Afghans, that it was America’s fault the WTC was attacked, and that I’m a terrorist for supporting the idea that Muslim nations harboring terrorists should be considered as terrorist nations and attacked. Who’s said so? Lots and lots Japanese commentators on TV, several European acquaintances, a Filipino, some English students, and so forth.
I watched about 2 minutes of CNN on September 11th this year and I heard them reading something during some ceremony. I wasn’t quite sure what it was at first, but figured out it must be the Declaration of Independence. I’ve only glanced through it a couple times. Patriotism towards a nation, love of country, attachment to culture … those kinds of things were not a part of my family or education. I have eternal citizenship in heaven and I never bothered to think much about my temporal citizenship. If anything, most of the time, I don’t like to say I’m an American. I’m not really. I don’t mind if a bunch of states secede and we have to erase some stars from the flag. Who knows, it might be a good thing.
America has its problems. It’s obvious to people the world over, especially to those who are jealous and hate it for its prosperity. Yes, it’s true that Americans are selfish, they are loud and obnoxious, they’re annoying because they think they’re better than everyone else, they push other countries around, they send armies to places that should be left well alone so the inhabitants can have some peace and quiet to slaughter each other whenever and however they like. The way the American government forces numbers on its citizens to track them reminds me of the way the Nazis tatooed numbers on the Jews. If I remember correctly, there have been more serial killers in America than in any other country in the world. Innumerable innocent babies are killed in America every day. The list is endless. I do believe that September 11th was a punishment from God for all the evil America has done.
But at the same time, there is no country like America. There is no country with so much freedom (yes, it’s dwindling, but comparatively speaking, there’s still a lot of freedom), so many churches, so many seminaries, so many home schools, so many perpetually-pregnant-stay-at-home Christian moms, so many people who still care about the Truth and live for it by drudging through everyday chores. No other country with Microsoft and Yahoo. Taxes too high? True, very true, but look at other countries. Too many murdered babies? True, but no other country has as many people fighting against it. Feminazis making too much noise? True, but they can do that because they have the freedom to do so, while women in other countries are truly being oppressed have no say at all.
Frankly, I’m pessimistic about the future of America. I doubt the nation will repent of its sins and turn to God. I expect things to get a whole lot worse before they get better, if it’s even possible for them to get better at all. But as a postmillennialist, I can afford to be pessimistic. I don’t know the middle of the story, but I have turned to the end of the book and know the ending: “… and they all lived happily ever after.”
Today, I was glad to be an American. I never chose to be an American, but if I had a choice, there is no other country I’d rather be a citizen of. Does that make sense?
… judgment must begin at the house of God …. 1 Peter 4:17
Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20
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