24 June 2011 will be for some the defining moment that sealed America’s doom. That is the day marriage equality became the law of the land in New York State. Many conservative religious leaders and others within their congregations see this law, not as giving equal rights to a long neglected minority, but rather “THE” sign that their god will stop blessing america, for up until this point america has been a Christian nation following after god and he has been blessing.
I thought that it might be interesting to look at how well america has been living out it’s supposed Christian identity…
I could start with the European “christians” slaughter of Native Americans or the death of hundreds of individuals accused of witchcraft early in our history, or even the “christians” that owned slaves and believed it was Biblical and right. But that would take up a lot of time and pages here, so lets look at recent history.
America is number three for the production and distribution of pornography worldwide. Billions of dollars are made every year and it has been reported that to stop the porn industry would hurt the US economy. At least 211 porn films are produced each week.
America is number one in the sale and worldwide distribution of black market weaponry.
America is number one in divorce rates worldwide.
1.3 million women every year are injured or killed by their partners in domestic violence.
An average of 4 american children a day die from neglect or abuse.
America is number one in obesity in developed countries, 34% of Americans are overweight.
Every year the average American consumes the same amount as more than 400 Africans.
15.4 million Americans live in extreme poverty
1 in 7 americans have no health care.
This list is incomplete, of course, but one only has to look at it and realize that if the God and Creator of the universe was going to judge a country, it would not be for giving equal rights to a small portion of its citizenry. It would be for that countries greed, pride and lack of compassion for the suffering of those within and without its borders.
God’s heart as always been for the poor and the sick and the suffering, for those who have no power to help themselves. It should be our heart too.
Musings of a "not so good" Christian 
Mmhmm, I would argue that America never was a Christian nation–certainly, from what I know of the Founding Fathers, they were never intending to create a country like America today.
Hello and thanks for commenting…You wouldn’t have to argue with me when it comes to not seeing america as a “christian nation”, I don’t believe that it ever was either. As far as the Founding Fathers…I cannot say what knid of country they envisioned, their vision was limited by what they knew and experienced….just like our is limited in scope also. peace to you 🙂
We are quick to see and look for judgment. We are slow to see our own sin. We are even slower at times to show forgiveness and grace.
Excellent Post! An interesting point in regard to your post is that Paul, to the Romans, associated these things discussed here as evidences of God’s wrath already being poured out. In the first chapter, he concludes that suppressing the knowledge of the Creator is what brings about wrath. From there, after being turned over to their own lusts, then humanity falls into all forms of depravity. “As they did not see fit to ackowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things…” Rom. 1
Also, you are dead on about the care of those with needs. “To those who have been given much, much is required.” We are accountable for the poor and the suffering.
So, my dear brother, here is where I am puzzled.
You know that I think you are one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever known, and that your heart for restoring love and grace to the portrait of Christianity has been a challenge to me and in so it has been a blessing. So I’d like to ask why you are an advocate for conferring marriage to homosexuals, when the basis of their union is explicitly sinful?
I see scripture leveling the playing field in Romans by way of universal indictment, so I think you know I don’t see this as a matter of sensibility. So help me understand where you’re at.
I seek to look at marriage equality through the lens of civil rights in America, not through the lens of what the Bible may or may not say concerning this issue.
Some people may not like that, and I can understand their consternation. But the concern I have here is that we have used this issue (and the issue sexual orientation) to vilify PEOPLE, we have used this issue to verbally and physically assault and on occasion kill PEOPLE who are gay and lesbian. That is not being a Christian!
All this pontification about homosexuality from the pulpit and from “christian” radio and television has caused many Christians to not “hate the sin but love the sinner” (a phrase I particularily loathe) but HATE and FEAR the PEOPLE who are gay and lesbian. This hate and fear has led to widespread misinformation, and lies including the whole” Gay Agenda” myth (there is no secret and mysterious group of gays trying to destroy the fabric of society) It is a LIE and none of that is Christian!
And all this pontification from pulpits, and TV and radio have turned many from the God has created all of us, and desires that none be lost and who alone offers the most abundant life. This shutting the doors of Heaven in and of itself is a sin as far as I am concerned. Our words should heal, create, and bring to life…not wound, destroy and kill (those words are the words of the enemy of our souls).
We have forgotten about love, we have forgotten about grace, mercy, humility when it comes to gay, lesbian and transgender PEOPLE..
We have forgotten that whether straight, gay, lesbian or whatever shade of human sexuality….we need Jesus. He already has it all figured out.
My job is to love people. Period.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Perhaps if we stop vilifying PEOPLE by calling them evil and vile and wicked and perverted and express love in tangible ways perhaps they may listen to thoughts about Jesus, who is the Truth.
Mark,
Thanks for the thoughtful reply. There are a few posts here already that reference the “universal indictment” of mankind in Romans 1 – the downward spiral we followed in our ancient days.
Building on that indictment, it is my observation that we hate everyone else’ sin more than our own; and not in just general terms. I think there are many indirect examples of us as individuals being particularly susceptible to certain sins described in that indictment. After all, not everyone wrestles with every single sin equally.
Some of us struggle more with pride, others more with sex, yet others with thievery or lying. And it is the pride within us that makes us hate others sins more than our own. If I am a liar and a thief then perhaps I go easy on people who are liars and thieves but malign the sexually promiscuous. If my observation is correct, then it is not difficult to explain that its our (the church’s) offended sensibility of homosexuality that has contributed much to the vilification of the people.
I agree that upholding the law (civil) as a way to treat people with love and respect – as it is the non-christian’s basis for justice. I don’t readily see a scriptural example of advocating for civil law that which is a sin, ie I see Jesus reach out with mercy and grace to the prostitute, but I don’t see any examples of Him or the apostles advocating to legalize prostitution for the sake of that love.
Does any of this make sense? What are your thoughts?
But that still does not mean you can condone, endorse or encourage blatantly sinful behavior.
But that is not the point of the post…please stick with the question at hand.
Romans 1 applies so well here. “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.”
(Rom 1:28-32)
That sounds to me like a pretty good description of America these days. God giving us up to our depravity *is* His judgement on us – at least part of it.
New York passing this law is just one more evidence of the truth of Romans 1. Thank God there are 15 more chapters in Romans where we find out what God has done to save us from our mess and rebellion – while we were yet sinners…
Sounds like everyone………thus the cross.
But it is not up to me to make sure people realize that they sin…..it is up to me to love them enough that they want God and what He has done for them through Jesus.I cannot judge anyone because I sin every day by not loving them enough yet, I am too self centered, too insensitive, too selfish….. Thank God for His grace.
Is it our job as Christians to take away all opportunities for sin? I am just thinking of the Early Church. The Roman Empire had many evils, despite the good it also had. But we don’t see Christians trying to enforce Christian standards through the law. Christians offered the Reality of the Kingdom of God, which starts small like a mustard seed and then grows–this is true in individual lives as well as in the world over all. Paul called Christians to work out their salvation or as Peter said, be holy–grow in our experience of Christ, let the Redemptive work make its way throughout all of our lives….not the world.
Everyone is quoting Romans 1, but I wonder if God could let the world go in order for the world to realize her need for him, perhaps we as Christians shouldn’t be so controlling over everyone. Just a thought.
Leanne, I agree it’s not out job as Christians to take away all opportunities for sin but neither is it our job to facilitate it.