American Exceptionalism and the Roots of the Approaching American Revolution
I have updated and revised this post inspired by the “pro-choice” people who, in NY and VA, now extend their choice to the murder of living babies as they exit the womb. Back in the 60s, Francis Schaeffer forewarned Americans that the slippery slope of abortion on demand would lead to both infanticide and geronticide. Pro-choice advocates laughed at him and dismissed him.
Unfortunately, Linus can’t have a real conversation with Lucy. It’s practically impossible. There is no firm, reasonable starting place because Lucy will not admit the inconsistencies in her thinking. Her worldview, based on emotion, cannot allow for reasonable honesty. So rather than laugh at her inconsistency and be willing to reevaluate and alter her view, Lucy has to bully, name-call, and shame her friend. Bullies want control. They intend to deprive others of their liberty and crush their rights.
BOTH extremes–Right and Left in our country–operate this way.
This is not about Democrat vs. Republican–although Bullies exist in both parties. This is about liberty versus slavery and it has been going on for thousands of years. This is about Unity versus disunity. Polarization begins with those who depart from the foundations of what made us great and United. Only one thing kept the United States from going the way of every other nation-state or Empire in history.
American Exceptionalism Rooted in Christ
Backdrop is WWII. The totalitarian socialists knows as the National Sozialistiche Deutsche Arbeitpartei (National Socialist German Party–NAZI party for short), had invaded Europe. Their storm troopers crushed and were rounding up and killing their enemies, which included political enemies, Jews, and the Christians who helped rescue both. Dr. E. Stanley Jones, noted missionary and theologian-statesman serving in India at the time said this regarding our UNITED STATES and American freedom:
What a Christ this is! taking the energies and pioneering spirit of a people gathered from all climes and all races, and in spite of all their sins and prejudices welding them into a living whole until they become perhaps the most united nation on earth, and perhaps the greatest.
Christ has done this? Yes, for without his Spirit working in the hearts of this American Civilization–cleansing, inspiring, uniting,–this civilization would not have been possible. He is the cement that holds it together. Through its centrifugal forces and its dividing sins it would fall to pieces tomorrow without him. He is the most cleansing, constructive, potent force working within the soul of this people–and its one hope.**
Given the contemporary hatred of Christ and his family in our American civilization today. Given the polarization of those who love liberty and those who want power to force their Christless worldview upon the people. What is the future of our union?
My hope is that God will heal our nation on behalf of our forefathers and their sacrifice–that Lucy & Linus will get tired of the polarization that separates them and find ways to listen to one another. My fear is that it’s too late. Lucy likes bullying and controlling Linus. And Linus won’t give up his freedom to her control. Thus, unless the nation repents, we, our children and our grand-children will experience a revolution unlike any in previous history as political parties polarize, our unity unravels, and our economy implodes. The revolution will center around religion, because Christ and Yahweh are the ONLY source of Freedom and unity.
The only way out is a return to what made us great–honoring Christ and loving God and people made in His image. Can it be that simple? Oh, yes!
I pray that I’m wrong about the Revolution, because I’m absolutely right about the root and the deterrent.
QUESTION: What do you think?
**quote from E. Stanley Jones, The Christ of the American Road, Cokesbury Press, 1944, p. 15.
Peanuts dialog (c)2013, Dixon Diaz; except “Peanuts” characters are (c) United Features Syndicate
For Those Who Feel Angry and Afraid Following the Election of 2016
President-elect Trump has said that it’s “Time for us to come together as one united people.” President Obama agrees. So does Hillary Clinton. You can see their videos at my author Facebook page.
America has elected a new President, and given him a united House of Representatives, and Senate.
This is Democracy at its best in a Democratic republic. We survived President Obama’s reign and, while continuing to pray for him, we worked hard to prepare for the 2016 election.
By the results of this historic 2016 election, a great portion of America has said:
- “No” to corruption
- “No” to the the entrenched “powers that be” on both sides of the aisle
- “No” to politically correct buzzwords and clichés that have categorized and defamed fellow citizens who disagreed with the liberal agenda and its extreme positions
- “No” to involuntarily disarming our citizens and quashing the 2nd Amendment
- “No” to illegal immigration at the expense of Veterans and our own poor people
- “No” to the violence and horror of ISIS and Apocalyptic Islamic terror worldwide
- “No” to circumventing the American Constitution and the Legislative branch of government
- “No” to radical socialism/communism–we are not going to be another Europe
- “No” to the attack on the freedom of biblical religions
- “No” to lawlessness, violence, and looting in the streets of America
- “No” to the disrespect toward the rule of law
- “No” to a continued erosion of our military readiness in light of increasing threats worldwide
- “No” to apologizing around the world for our great nation
- “No” to faulty and deeply flawed treaties and trade agreements
- “No” to the irresponsible spending that places the burden of our national debt onto the backs of our children and grandchildren
- “No” to the weight of governmental bureaucracy and bloated Federal offices
- “No” to increased regulations that drive small businesses out of existence
- “No” to the erosion of free speech
- “No” to the unwillingness of politicians unwilling to cooperate in order to make America excellent for ALL its citizens
Shortly after the election, one of our young adult relatives wrote a scathing post on FB toward those who did not vote as she did. When my wife gave her a gentle admonition to not allow politics to instill in her bitterness, or resentment, our relative tore into my wife with disrespectful vitriol. It felt to my wife as though she had been slapped in the face.
This young adult was not brought up to treat family members that way–or anyone for that matter. I’d be surprised to find out that the adults around her modeled disrespect for elders or anger and hatred toward those with whom we disagree. Yet her own political agenda meant more to her than hurting or accusing her family member in a mean-spirited response. We can only hope that her heart will soften as she matures. I’m hoping that this was just a bad moment for her and not her typical way of treating people with whom she does not see eye to eye.
For those of you who are angry and afraid, we hope that your maturity and your love for this nation will overcome your anger and disappointment at the results of this hard-fought election and that you will help to tone down the shaming, name-calling, hatred, bullying and fear-factor. Political beliefs should not triumph over love of friends and family. I mistrust any worldview that treats people with hatred and anger, or that devalues or objectifies its opponents.
We can agree to disagree amiably yet still value and respect one another. As Hillary Clinton and President Obama have said in post-election speeches: Support the new President-elect. Give him and his team an opportunity to fulfill the office that the nation has elected him to.
Listen to Trump’s acceptance speech and help him to fulfill it for ALL Americans:
As one who voted for Trump-Pence, I am celebrating America’s victory, but not your defeat. All gloating is birthed and nurtured in an evil disposition.
May God Bless you . . . and the United States of America
QUESTION: Honestly, how would you have hoped that Trump supporters would respond if Hillary had won the election?
©2016, David C Alves (davidcalves.com)
David's Place 
Join the Conversation