Christianity vs.Patriotism

 https://relevantmagazine.com/current/nation/how-should-christians-think-about-patriotism/

“…we’ve watched Christian nationalists turn “God and country” into something that often looks less like biblical faith and more like a political brand co-opting worship music. …Christians can’t confuse America with the kingdom of God, which is where things tend to get messy.

The trouble starts when patriotism becomes a faith test. It shows up when being a good American and being a good Christian are treated like the same calling with different merch. It appears when churches assume love of country has to be performed in worship, or when any critique of America gets treated as evidence that someone must hate it.

Christian nationalism gives that insecurity theological language. It fuses Christian identity with national identity until America gets pulled into the Gospel story as though this country has a special covenant with God that makes its power, history and priorities spiritually privileged. At that point, discipleship starts sounding less like following Jesus and more like defending a political project.”

When the Storm Comes

 This is me.

When the Storm Comes By Ullie Kaye https://www.facebook.com/share/p/

I’m Christian but not MAGA

https://www.salon.com/2024/03/29/my-challenge-as-a-christian-psychologist-help-evangelicals-see-for-he-really-is/

This article hits many of the reasons I, as a Christian, do not support Trump and was never part of the evangelical MAGA movement. He does not represent what the Bible says are the characteristics of a Godly leader but instead uses religion as a tool to advance himself and his political agenda rather than spiritual principles that glorify God. I question whether he is actually a Christian at all because there is little evidence of it in his behavior, words, and actions, but only God knows for sure. 

I was in the “anyone but Trump” camp during the 2024 election, choosing to vote for a third-party candidate instead. I previously identified politically as “Conservative Christian Republican” but if that aligns me with Trump and his current administration, then I guess I’m no longer all of that. Still a Christian, yes, but otherwise I’m politically homeless right now. 

The Danger of Stupidity

“Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. 

Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed – in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical – and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. 

In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. For that reason, greater caution is called for when dealing with a stupid person than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous.”

― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison

Read the entire essay here: Bonhoeffer’s Theory of Stupidity