Which British politician would quote Isaiah? (Barf Alert)

Independent.co.uk ^ | February 3, 2003 | Andreas Whittam Smith

[CedarDave]

Which British politician would quote Isaiah?

This religiosity, as we would describe it, suggests Americans consider themselves a chosen people

Andreas Whittam Smith

03 February 2003

First comes the numbness, the mourning and the praying. In comforting the American people for the loss of the space shuttle Columbia with its crew of seven, President Bush turned to the bible, indeed to the Old Testament and paraphrased the prophet Isaiah: "The same Creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today."

President Reagan had done the same when the Challenger exploded shortly after launch in 1986. He compared the shuttle's crew members with the great explorers of history and declared that they had "slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God". On Saturday, democratic leaders of the House of Representatives, who were meeting in Pennsylvania to plan strategy, immediately gave up their confabulations when they heard the news, and began to pray.

This religiosity, as we would describe it, suggests that in a way Americans consider themselves a chosen people. The British had the same delusion in the 19th century. But whereas we thought God had directed us to civilise the world, the Americans evidently believe themselves instructed to pacify it. This explains their astonishment that the rest of the world should fail to share their view of Iraq.

The open espousal of Christian values by politicians in the United States also contrasts strongly with the timidity of the average Brit in talking about religion or spirituality. The famous British reserve, which, so far as showing emotion is concerned, seems to be breaking down, is still absolute when it comes to the existence of God. In the face of national tragedy, we cancel sporting events but we don't immediately fall to our knees.

[CedarDave]

I guess we're just supposed to keep a stiff upper lip and all that. Right, ol' chap?

Most Americans still believe in God; one who is greater than ourselves who we look to for guidance and comfort in times of national and personal tragedies.

[EternalVigilance]

The open espousal of Christian values by politicians in the United States also contrasts strongly with the timidity of the average Brit in talking about religion or spirituality. The famous British reserve, which, so far as showing emotion is concerned, seems to be breaking down, is still absolute when it comes to the existence of God. In the face of national tragedy, we cancel sporting events but we don't immediately fall to our knees.

Hence the fact that they long ago slipped from the ranks of superpowers. Sadly, their foundations have been undermined and are therefore washing away further with each new storm.

Jesus, after all, made it very clear that He would honor those who honored Him.

God bless America.

[MHT]

England has one of the lowest levels of church attendance of any predominantly Christian country. Just think, beautiful cathedrals....empty. The author thinks that such British behavior of the 19th century was delusional---I think their behavior then was exemplary. It was before they mastered their technique of appeasement, which pacified Hitler before Churchill's rise to power. It was before "marriage" became passe in British life and "partners" parenting thousands of illegitimate children became the norm.

Before this arrogant, elitist author criticizes anything about America, he should take a second-look at the cultural void of his own country. After all, it wasn't so long ago that people were worshipping their lost goddess, Princess Di, in the depths of sorrow and grief---only to "move on" with few even remembering her death date a year later.

The same rationale he uses to explain how predictable disasters are can also be applied to the decline of British civilization. Past experience is often an indicator, a precursor, of the future. For the UK, socialization of those things which belong in the private sector, lack of "guard rails" on personal and public behavior, and denigration of religion have been preliminary events which foreshadow the demise of a once proud culture. Poor Victoria--she would have been so disappointed.

[just_cause_i_can]

Hmm,
this article doesn't speak for all Britain, I have several family members who live in England, and are in Church every Sunday. But I agree that the further you go from God, the further your society slips into decay. Sad cause I'm half British.

[helives]

To all,

God bless Australia, God bless America, God bless Israel, God bless Britain,

God bless any other countries prepared to protect Christendom..as for the rest....oh dear!!, and yeah I know Israel is not Christain, however scripture is plain on this matter, I bless thee who bless Israel and I curse thee who curse Israel.....bad luck Yasser and ur Muslim mates,

well Jesus is coming to separate the sheep from the goats.

....who is on that dang security council again??? oh yeah, France, Germany, Russia, China etc....oh dear, wrong side Im afraid.

and when I saw the news of Columbia and saw Georges speech and references to Isaiah it brought a tear to my eye, not because of the astronauts deaths, but the fact that the leader of the western world was prepared to quote the Lords scripture....whole lot better than that democRAT, Willy Clintoon.....Georges beliefs can only be good for America and thats a fact.

God bless all you guys n gals

Stu in Oz (oi oi oi)

[ancient_geezer]

This religiosity, as we would describe it, suggests that in a way Americans consider themselves a chosen people. The British had the same delusion in the 19th century.

Europeans seem to be more subject to delusion. so that is a fair characterisation.

One need not consider themselves chosen at all. However one can certainly aspire to something better. When such view is maintained as a basis of one's government form it's earliest beginnings, it becomes a conviction and guiding light as opposed to the delusions claimed by monarchists for themselves.

“Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” John Adams

“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not by religions, but by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Patrick Henry

[tictoc]

Two Cheers for Colonialism

[helives]

AMEN Brother ;-)

[JudgemAll]

Foaming at the mouth barf alert. Did the President tell a lie? No. So maybe they wanted a quote from Freud about condoms? You know, like the timing was perfect for it. Or like the Bible cannot add to the truth and equations of moral degenerecense and decay of liberals. Like liberals are gods or something, some kind of superstition in superhumans.... yep. Pagan freaks'em all.

[JudgemAll]

And what is wrong with feeling special and chosen, believing that we must maintain these truths and hence must be autochosen to maintain them? Of course, for liberals where truth does not exist, no one is chosen for a job, it's more like death at every turn that decides the fate.

As for the UK believing that in the 19th century, dates and technical achievement have nothing to do with progress save in the minds of haters who want all the attention for themselves now, like little fascists of history. .

[syriacus]

This religiosity, as we would describe it, suggests that in a way Americans consider themselves a chosen people

What a funny interpretation of religiosity...

I find (true) religious feelings are strongest in humble people, who realize that they are imperfect and who do not think they are gods.

[Elsie]

Genesis 12

 

 1.  Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
 2.  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
 3.  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

 

 Psalms 115:13
 13.  He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.

[EternalVigilance]

Amen!

[Steve0113]

On Saturday, democratic leaders of the House of Representatives, who were meeting in Pennsylvania to plan strategy, immediately gave up their confabulations when they heard the news, and began to pray.

Does anybody else not believe this for a second?

[Elsie]

Shout it from the rooftops!

..the fact that the leader of the western world was prepared to quote the Lords scripture..

---

Psalms 63:1-3
 1.  O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
 2.  To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
 3.  Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

 

Job 33:3-4
 3.  My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
 4.  The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

 

Psalms 51:15-17
 15.  O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
 16.  For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
 17.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

 

Psalms 21:1-5
 1.  The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
 2.  Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
 3.  For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.
 4.  He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
 5.  His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.

 

[lodwick]

They actually PAY this nitwit to write?

Memo to Andreas: ShutUp.

[ArcLight]

You mean...we're not? ;-)

[CedarDave]

On Saturday, democratic leaders of the House of Representatives ... began to pray.

I figured someone would point this out. This guy is more than delusional; he's in a fantasy world.

[McGavin999]

We don't consider ourselves a "chosen people" but we do consider ourselves children of God. We look to Him, we lean on Him, and we worship Him. The American people bow to noone other than God. We try, and sometimes fail, to follow the Word that God gave to all humanity, but at least we do try.