Posted on 04/10/2002 1:35:14 PM PDT by Starmaker
To live in America is to live in a society that consistently refers to G-d in one form or another. Our currency serves as a reminder that we should place our trust in G-d, not money. The president of the United States typically ends every speech with the same three words: "G-d bless America." A word of prayer opens each session of Congress. Even a simple sneeze evokes a courtesy "G-d bless you" from those standing nearby.
In the aftermath of Sept. 11, the phrase "G-d bless America" became the rallying cry for Americans and a symbol of our unity. The House of Representatives went so far as to pass a resolution encouraging schools to proudly display the phrase as a sign of support for the nation. The song "G-d Bless America" received more airplay than Britney Spears and inspired countless CD collections of patriotic music dedicated to this land that we love.
On Sept. 12, the day after the deadly terrorist bombings, over 200 members of Congress gathered on the steps of the capitol and joined in a chorus of "G-d Bless America." Tears were shed. Spirits were lifted. Our unity as a nation was reinforced. However, as I watched that display on television, I couldn't help but wonder what people were thinking as they sang those poignant words.
Were they sincere? Did they really mean what they were singing? Did they honestly believe that America was in need of blessing from above or was it more of an exercise in group therapy? Were those lyrics the prayer of a humbled nation or simply the hollow mantra of an arrogant society?
Judging from the sudden flare and subsequent fade of an interest in spiritual matters in the months following 9/11 I can only assume that for many Americans singing "G-d Bless America" is merely a way of paying lip service to some nebulous entity floating aimlessly around the cosmos, just in case it happens, by some weird coincidence, to check in to see what's going on down here. This was my impression as I watched, over time, those normally hostile toward religion joining together in song, swaying back and forth, eyes closed, hands lifted in mock prayer. A new fad had been born.
Even traditionally conservative Christians began jumping on the "G-d Bless America" bandwagon. Congregations added the song to their Sunday morning repertoire, preachers pounded the pulpit in a patriotic fervor, and petitions were circulated to make "G-d Bless America" our second official national anthem. It soon became clear that what was happening had little to do with honoring the G-d of the Bible and had more to do with satisfying some strange desire to feel good about ourselves.
It seems there quite a few in this country who believe that G-d is under some obligation to bless America, especially after such tragic events as seen on Sept. 11. Many view our relationship with the Creator of the Universe as one of give and take, almost as if there is some law of physics that can be applied. For every tragedy, there is an equal and opposite blessing.
The truth is that we have already been blessed beyond our wildest imaginations—and squandered most of those blessings away. To expect G-d's blessings to continue to rain down like quarters from heaven is a bit shortsighted on our part. G-d is under no obligation to bless America. In fact, you might say that He is under more of an obligation to judge America.
We have enjoyed virtually every luxury life has to offer, yet continue to want more. We have ignored the responsibility that comes with the blessings of liberty and, in our laziness, have allowed others to make decisions for us. Our children, normally considered to be a blessing from G-d, have been removed from the family to be raised and indoctrinated by the state or, worse yet, sacrificed on the altar of abortion in the name of convenience.
Let's begin to ask ourselves what we mean when we utter the words "G-d bless America." Is it a command or a request? Is it indicative of our hopes or our expectations? If G-d chose to bless us by humbling our nation and breaking us to the point of repentance, would we be just as carefree in our use of that phrase? Is the "G-d" we call upon to bless America the holy, just and righteous G-d of the Bible or some generic spirit?
Before we encapsulate our emotions in a catchy little phrase, let's take the time to examine our own hearts. It would be the epitome of selfishness and arrogance to ask G-d to bless us when we have not even demonstrated our thankfulness for what He has already done.
To comment on this article or express your opinion directly to the author, you are invited to e-mail Lee at ever_vigilant@hotmail.com .
Dan
Ow, ow, ow, ow. That stung. I've been flamed by fellow FReepers b4, but being flamed by the Big Guy is something else. No, you don't need to call the fire department; it was just a warning shot. Ow, ow, ow...
What is G-d?
Another hyphenated American?
LOL!!! I LOVED THAT!!! Thank you for the good laugh.
Best wishes.
G-d
Looks both erased AND defaced to me.
That's entirely uncalled for.
You need to re-read the posting rules.
SO, that means the name of "God" has ALREADY been changed from it's original Hebrew - meaning, of course, that the "-" is an entirely redundant 2nd change.
If a devout Jew were to write the name in, say, Latin (which in this chain would be a 3rd removal from the original Hebrew), would that person have to write “D-us”?
We’re dealing with an absurd tradition here. I’m not making fun of it, I just think it make people sound pretentious.
I am a believe in and lover of the Torah, and I note that it did not bother God one whit either to move men to write, or to depict men writing, His name in as full a form as the written form of the language accommodated. I find NO EXAMPLES OR PRECEDENT for this. Able to read the Torah for myself, Hebrew or English, I do not cede all authority to any person or body to tell me what it says — and so, meaning no disrespect to you personally (nor flame, certainly), I insist that I find personally absurd and offensive the practice of messing with the plain contents of the text.
I have not one percent less scorn for "Christian" translations that perpetuate the "LORD" device to cloak "Yahweh." When God meant to say Lord, He did; when He meant to say Yahweh, He did. I feel it is my place as a believer to nod appreciatively at what God does and learn from it — not try to "one-up" it.
Which is why i asked. So now that I understand why it is being done. It makes me ask more questions.
So let me get this straight, By using 'G-d' you are not "technically" writing 'God', so it is ok to deface and erase?
I take it then 'G-d' is not consider to be "A name of God". Which means that whomever writes using G-d is not actually writing about God but some other entity? Which is why when someone erases the G-d out of the sentence it is ok.
Otherwise is not 'G-d' simply another name of God? Those that use it are using it to represent or signify God. Don't you think it's a form of defacement to erase a letter?
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
I just don't really respect the practice in any form; it's pretty clearly not the intent of the Deuteronomic legislation. But you've had enough of talking with me, so, shoulders slumped and lower lip pouted, I shall slog off.
Dan
|)c8
How liberal of you.
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