Want Poison? Just Mix God With Nationalism
Photo Credit: AntiWarPosters.com
This year, the Republican National Convention adopted an unforgettable slogan, and I’m not paying them a compliment. As the TV cameras revealed the sprawling sign hanging inside the convention arena, I had one of those “am I really seeing this” moments. The message printed across the face of the banner: “Country First.” Country first? I thought this nation prioritized liberty, The Constitution and peace before some dutiful sense of submission to The Country (or Homeland as we’ve been trained to say, just to ratchet the nationalism dial up to “absolutely creepy”).
This same convention assured me through speech after speech that these folks are rooted in moral superiority and united by traditional values. As professed followers of God, it’s safe to say this group is highly suspicious of those who don’t do it their way. That might sound like a description of a “Pharisee,” but I am speaking of course about the fundamentalist right-wing of the GOP, who for eight years have largely rationalized, dismissed or completely ignored the atrocities waged by their party’s President. That would include horrors ranging from the unjust and unprovoked war in Iraq to policies of torture, endless detention without trial and the gutting of our Constitution, civil liberties and other rights. The criteria for legitimacy often seems to be “as long as we do it in God’s name.”
If the population (or enough of it to force a stalemate) operates under the assumption that we are the best that the world has to offer, and must stay at the top forever, all while assuming to have our missions anointed by God- then we will continue to excuse assaults on human dignity (at home and abroad) as simply a means to an end. It’s very easy to shove troubling consequences back into the hazy parts of the conscience; it only takes a little scripted jargon: “Axis of Evil. Stay the Course. We’ll bring them democracy (and hopefully a McDonalds, too).” This nation is no different than other rogue states when we enforce a policy of “do as I say; not as I do.”
Sinclair Lewis aptly stated “when fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” Religion is the preferred vehicle for The State to gain support for its expansive feeding, because many faithful are willing to blindly follow those who claim to share their views. It’s rather simple for a politician- make sure you have an ‘R’ after your name, and spread the following message: “I love the Bible, and we’re the patriotic ones.” Sarah Palin- the nation heard that she likes Jesus and guns, and look at the frenzy it caused among the religious right. The nonsensical acceptance of those who are “in our camp” and especially the unchecked devotion that follows is killing this country because it helps to accomplish and sustain our more wicked legislation.
C.S. Lewis examined different types of patriotism in his book ‘The Four Loves’ and made some wise conclusions: “How can I love my home without coming to realise that other men, no less rightly, love theirs?…If our country’s cause is the cause of God, wars must be wars of annihilation. A false transcendence is given to things which are very much of this world.” There is no shame in loving home (it’s ours, after all) and wanting not only the best for it, but also to keep foreign invaders out. But as citizens of the United States, we should react by seeking truth and justice when a political mentality of rash defensiveness spreads like wildfire through the people and the politicians, cloaking aggressive and harmful policy in the familiarity of god-talk (along with huge flags, humbly-sized podiums and official seals with stately fonts and bold color schemes).
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Hezbollah literally means “party of God.” Are they sure about that? Photo Credit: Janet Hill for the New York Times.
The Bible is filled with cautions about the slippery and deceptive nature of evil, and the following is especially troubling when you look at the political climate in our nation- which favors simplicity over nuance, war (and threats) over diplomacy, and tough talk instead of understanding:
For such false apostles are deceitful workmen, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no wonder: for Satan himself transformeth himself into an angel of light. - 2 Corinthians 11:13-14
Unfortunately, God has become the new punching bag. It’s easy to blame “good intentions” or run with the “Jesus made me do it” excuse when we’re trying to dodge the past. Evil is very successful because there is an endless list of ways to sell it, and in this country- two sides are given to every discussion no matter how wretched the impact of that thing may be.
I want to love my country and dare to be honest about her. For people of faith and conscience, that means questioning all parties and political philosophies without falling into a place of ongoing comfort with any of them. G. K. Chesterton had it right when he said: “My country, right or wrong” is a thing no patriot would ever think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying “My mother, drunk or sober.”
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Photo Credit: AntiWarPosters.com
The next time you or someone you know thinks they’re privileged enough to be living life as an executive in God’s control tower, or is eager to vote for someone who claims to have that same privilege, remind them of Christ’s encouragement in The Beatitudes. I have yet to find where Jesus said “blessed are the warmongers and those who oppress in My name,” but perhaps someone will add it to a translation soon enough. Certainty and faith are not the same thing. One of them allows for doubt and reflection; for personal struggle and eventual change. Faith should produce humility, but certainty works to kill it.
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As a supporting article I highly recommend this brief post written by Christine Sine titled ‘It Took Jesus a Thousand Years to Die.’
Friday, October 3, 2008 at 11:07 am
Couldn’t agree more, Yarl. I’m just amazed at how no one realizes what’s going on. I didn’t watch the RNC, but did it really say ‘Country First’? WOW.
Friday, October 3, 2008 at 11:12 am
Yep it actually said ‘Country First.’
“United States? I have George Orwell calling from the grave on line 1.”
-ian
Friday, October 3, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Hello. I’ve never been here before, but you bring up something that has bothered me for a while now. I was a former neo-con insofar as my outlook on things, until a few years ago when the Lord opened my eyes and delivered me from this. An allegiance to a particular political agenda or even a country, that becomes more important than our relationship with Jesus is, dangerous. Since divorcing the political sideshow, the peace that I have is unexplainable. (Isaiah 26:3)
This doesn’t mean that I’m anti-American, perse, but my priorities are now straight. Everything in this world is temporal; be it nations, partisan groupings, or what have you. But God is eternal and omnipotent. We have his word by which things are weighed; not the republican platform or any other invention of men.
Friday, October 3, 2008 at 2:52 pm
timbob- welcome and thank you for taking the time to respond. I couldn’t agree with you more and have a personal story similar to yours (having been a neo-con once myself).
There’s nothing more for me to say because you’ve said it perfectly. Hope to see you around the site more in the future.
-ian
Friday, October 3, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Ian,
I wish everyone would read this article! Maybe it would open a few eyes in this country!
I agree completely with Matt R. I see what’s going on in this country and think… “am I the only one who sees this?” It is truly amazing! This surge in “nationalism” that you mention is eerily reminiscent of Nazi Germany with those who oppose current ideologies being labeled as “unpatriotic” and/or “non-Christian.” What is it they say about history repeating itself?
Karen
Friday, October 3, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Thanks Karen.
Check out the documentary ‘Taxi to the Darkside’ about our past 8 years overseas. Loaded with interviews from the soldiers and command involved. It’ll stop a person in their tracks. At the end of it, the director films his father who was a WWII interrogator, who says “the kind of crap that this country is engaged in today is what we fought against during WWII.” Not good.
As for what they say about history- I believe the quote is “those who don’t read history…allow Fox News to revise it.”
-ian
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Fantastic work, Ian. You’ve beautifully articulated something against which I’ve struggled internally for many years, after growing up in an environment where (implicitly, at least) Christian = Republican. It’s only in the last few years that I’ve realized No, Christian = Jesus, and everything else is either secondary or idolatrous. Well done.
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Eebs! I really like how you photoshopped Jimmy Fallon into the Hezbollah pic (2nd back, left row). Great article!
Monday, October 6, 2008 at 10:03 am
Heather and Hobey- you’re the site’s first married pair to comment as a couple. Awww…
First to Weebs- thanks! Always interesting to read your take on things. Looking forward to meeting your newborn within days!
Hobathon- ahah nice find. Fallon isn’t getting much work lately so I’m helping him establish an internet presence.
-ian
Monday, October 6, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Your last sentence is killer.
Monday, October 6, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Brill, Ian……..Brill
Friday, October 10, 2008 at 9:23 pm
“Country First”???? Yeah right!!! They say it but do they really mean it? The GOP (and any religious party for that matter) often seems more worried about it’s “agenda” or “platform” than the Country as a whole. The GOP agenda is all too often skewed by the “prism” of the extreme religious right and it’s these views that are “First”.
I personally don’t have a problem with the slogan “Country First” After all, this country was based on the principles of equality and the rights of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”. What is wrong with that?
Religious Freedom is a cornerstone of this democracy but many take this too far. I believe that religious extremism is dangerous, no matter what the religion. Crazy Christians are just as dangerous as Crazy Muslims. Each group can tear away at the fabric that makes this nation great. You choose: Blowing up skyscrapers or bombing Abortion Clinics and Lynching. All of these things (and countless others) were done the in the name of “God”.
The sharing of ideas, opinions, and openly expressing opposing views (as we do here) is key to advancing peace in this world. Tolerance, love, and understanding is the true measure of Godliness.
Matthew 5:44:
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
CK
Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 11:25 am
Kunard! Good to have your thoughts here!
I think you made the distinction correctly- the phrase “country first” might be passable if it were spoken by a party that demonstrated an allegiance to the constitution and liberty, but the GOP are no longer that party.
Then again, I think the phrase is still shocking and harmful because it is language that conditions the population to accept a submissive role with the government in power, when it’s supposed to be the other way around. The slogan demonstrates how far we’ve drifted from our “give me liberty or give me death” roots. But it’s actually pretty accurate as a description for the GOP as they currently exist- a party committed to doing whatever, whenever, as long as they cite national security.
As for your comments on religion- very well said! Part of why I find Christ to be so credible is because he didn’t say “try my brand of ritualistic exercise” but rather “try me in relationship,” all while warning about the danger of religiosity. Glad you found the site and I’m excited to read your comments on future posts.
-ian