Posted on 10/23/2001 4:26:00 PM PDT by Incorrigible
Edited on 05/07/2004 7:41:14 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
It is so inspirational and uplifting to see all the flags and the "God Bless America" signs across our country these days. The sense of unity that has emerged from the September 11 attacks is heartening, as our country moves into this unexpected and unpredictable war against worldwide terrorism. There is one critical question we must all stop and ask ourselves, though: Why should God bless America? Is America blessing God, or has it been cursing Him since the 1960's?
(Excerpt) Read more at c-n.com ...
Get real - you are in denial. We have been bombing various countries for years. I was in WW II and for your information, Hitler declared war on us and Japan bombed us first and we defended ourselves. The Arabs may be some future threat but it is China and Russia who already have nuclear ability today. Fortress America is the only answer - we can't fight the world on a economic budget of one war.
Funny, this is exactly what Osama bin Laden and the terrorists say.
Actually, I believe that Mr. Falwell, while admitting that he could have been wiser in how he presented the message, didn't back up one bit from his position that this is likely a form of divine chastisement of our nation for it's corporate sins.
If Jerry Falwell is anything, he is a biblical literalist; and you can't believe the Bible without believing that the Almighty judges nations.
Equating this belief with the belief of the Islamists requires you to draw a parallel between Jehovah and Allah. No such parallel exists in reality, though, since the former actually exists.
Scriptural history is replete with examples of how the Lord allowed wicked nations to successfully attack His people as a form of punishment for backsliding and sin. American history is too, if you know where to look.
Thankfully, each and every time this cycle repeated in this republic's national life, it drove us to our knees, and caused us to look to Him for help.
"Funny, this is exactly what Osama bin Laden and the terrorists say."
Wrong.
The Islamists say that this is the judgement of Allah, carried out by their righteous hand. Their goal is that we all become Islamic.
The Christians say that Jehovah removed His protective Hand, allowing the wicked to strike His people as punishment for their national sins. Their (our) goal is that Christians will go back to acting like Christians ought to act.
Big difference.
It is easy to point out the negatives in life. I would wager that there are many more positives than negatives.
Can you imagine living with this pessimist?
As to the question why God would continue to bless America, in spite of the obvious shortcomings of this nation?---
I have to believe it has something to do with all of those Christian leaders going back to when they were still on the deck of the Mayflower, who cried out to Him, praying for their posterity.
Ya think?
You do have a way with words!
;-)
If it didnt benefit our country we didnt seem too eager to help out (and I'm speaking of the government, not the people) I think of Clinton going to Rwanda and saying, after millions were killed "I promise we'll never let this happen again." But it did.
I think our country has a tremendous ability to do good to everybody worldwide but capatilsm has our hearts and minds.
God will not bless our country as long as we murder unborn babies and think its our right. Its not going to happen.
As far as being self righteous, I have, and still do, commit sin. We all do. The difference is acknowledging it, saying its wrong and doing ones best not to do it again.
Sorry to ramble, I'm getting old.
From Genesis to Revelation the Word shows us clearly that God looks on the choices of indivduals, cities, and nations and blesses or curses each according to their deeds. Who the "sheep" and the "goat" nations are is becoming more defined. Think of God's Mercy as a wheel, at the top of the wheel we have blessing and at the bottom, judgment. God's Mercy is blessing when we are obiedent and if we are not then His wheel turns to the Judgment side in His Mercy, He judges us that we might repent!
Is the wheel is turning for America?? I have no doubt in my mind we as a nation will be held accountable for the millions of unborn dead, as sure as God's Princple of sowing and reaping has not been voided.
God help us to truly repent from wickedness. This may not be a popular viewpoint but God's Word is Truth. Seek Him while He may be found.
I do fear that eventually it will happen, though, since the prophecies in Zechariah (14:2 to be exact) would indicate that ALL the nations will gather to attack Jerusalem, before they are destroyed by the Lord Himself.
For now, though, I believe we must pray that they remain our ally and friend, and exert every political influence possible to keep that committment intact.
I have to believe it has something to do with all of those Christian leaders going back to when they were still on the deck of the Mayflower, who cried out to Him, praying for their posterity.Ya think?
I think God is incredibly Faithful to His promises..and that has held us so far. But it is time for His people to turn from their wicked ways and seek His face and he will heal our land!.
Actually, I believe that Mr. Falwell, while admitting that he could have been wiser in how he presented the message, didn't back up one bit from his position that this is likely a form of divine chastisement of our nation for it's corporate sins.
Actually, you believe WRONG.
Falwell did not qualify his apology as you claim above (which would be no apology at all) but said that he "sincerely regrets" making the statement, and that he "was wrong" for making the statement.
And he apologized specifically to all those people he pointed out as to blame.
This sort of self-righteous judgemental finger-pointing in the wake of such a tragedy is exactly what I criticized in my post.
If Jerry Falwell is anything, he is a biblical literalist; and you can't believe the Bible without believing that the Almighty judges nations.
Then let me use Jerry Falwell's own words (from his apology) to set you straight on this issue;
`When I talked about God lifting the curtain of protection on our nation, I should have made it very clear that no one on this earth knows whether or not that occurred or did not occur,'' he said.
He said if the destruction was a judgment from God it was a judgment on all sinners, including himself.
Notice I made this same point in asking if the author of the "letter" included her own sins in reasons she claimed God was allowing America to be punished?
If not..then she should...and all others who want to join in her judgements.
Equating this belief with the belief of the Islamists requires you to draw a parallel between Jehovah and Allah. No such parallel exists in reality, though, since the former actually exists.
Nonsense. I drew no such parallel, nor did I equate Johavah and Allah anywhere in my post.
Go back and read my statement again.
What I equated was the positions of Bin Laden and the Islamic extremist terrorists to these so-called Christians regarding the murder of 6000 American citizens;
...BOTH claim that the slaughter of Sept 11 is really God judging America ...and go on to name their own personal list of grievances.
This is delusional, meanspirited and self-righteous to the extreme.
Scriptural history is replete with examples of how the Lord allowed wicked nations to successfully attack His people as a form of punishment for backsliding and sin. American history is too, if you know where to look.
God does the same with individuals. Therefore if some "wicked" criminals commit some horrible crime against you, your loved ones or family members...then we should take that opportunity to point out your sins and tell you that it is your own fault and that you must repent?
Just like you do to others?
Unreal!
Then consider these facts;
'When civil war and famine killed at least 300,000 people in Somalia a decade ago, America once again sent large quantities of food and medicine. When it was learned that the war's combatants were heartlessly stealing most of the relief packages – even while the country had become filled with wretched, walking skeletons – it was only with U.S. leadership in 1992's Operation Restore Hope that the situation began to improve.'
What has Somalia "done for us"?
'In the 1980s Ethiopia was gripped by a brutal civil war into which almost all its government funds were poured – even while the country was ravaged by famine. The U.S. sent enormous amounts of aid, yet was criticized by Ethiopian president Mengistu for not sending more. Presumably Mengistu expected American taxpayers to help defray the cost of the $100 million celebration he had held – during the height of the famine – to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Ethiopia's socialist revolution.'
What has Ethiopia "done for us"?
'In 1994, when Rwanda erupted into ethnic violence that killed at least 800,000 people in twelve weeks, the United States led the world in shipping food, medicine, doctors, technicians, and medical equipment to try to save the dying masses huddled in Rwanda's filthy refugee camps.'
What had Rwanda "done for us"?
American intervention has saved several Muslim nations who refuse to support us in our war on terrorism..the Kuwaiti people from Saddam, we saved Bosnia and we saved Kosovo from Serbia.
What have any of them done for us that comes close to the price we paid to help them?
Would you like me to name all the countries we saved from Hitler in WWII, and then spent billions rebuilding and saving their economies?
Countries that have given virtually nothing back to us?
I am amazed at the blame America first sentiment in this thread.
America is by far the most benevolent nation in the history of the world.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.