Are YOU Christian First or America First?

Christians who attend church here in the United States have all heard this said, many times, from the pulpit: “We are Christians first. Americans second.”
Stand up in public and say “We ought to be Christians first, Americans second” and you’ll be greeted with yawns for saying something so boring and tediously obvious. But if you acknowledge the very same blandly obvious thing about any other religion, you’ll be met with an angry mob.

It would not be safe to stand up in public and say “We ought to be Muslims first, Americans second.” Or Jews, or Hindus, or Buddhists, or Latter Day Saints.*

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Hari Seldon said:

Not a Christian.

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anatta said:

render unto Caesar what is Caesar's. render unto God what is Gods

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upsideguy said:

".. No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money....."

There maybe a time when you must choose. The question is what would that choice be today.

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SNOWFLAKE said:

Sounds like you got an answer from someone who didn't really think through his response.

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SNOWFLAKE said:

Ever hear the phrase America First? Course you have. But what if you are a Christian? Do you put your country AHEAD of your faith? Or your faith ahead of the country?

Another way of asking the question - do you follow the teachings of Christ and the Bible OVER your political ideology, or does your political ideology force you to compromise some of what Christ taught and the Bible preaches?

'We Are Christians First, Americans Second'

It's a platitude that American Christians have recited so many times we're bored by it, but it still means something.

www.patheos.com

HOWEVER, if you are politically aligned, against one political party but ALL in on the other, are you not putting country (and your politics) above your faith?

Can you really be a Christian first if you believe that America is God's country, and can you really be a Christian if you believe that Christ is only for your people, not those people over there? That sounds like putting American (in your heart) above being a Christian.

If you HAVE TO justify your religion in context to American "values", are you not also putting America first above your faith?

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upsideguy said:

unclear what you are trying to say... perhaps you don't understand the reference?

God makes it clear that if you are a believer, you are his and belong to no one else. You must choose. We are not here to build treasures on earth, but treasures in heaven.

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upsideguy said:

I am a Christian, and its pretty clear we are chartered to live in this world, but not be of this world. My Christian beliefs trumps (pun intended) country. I pray every day to 'see the world through God's eyes' (not through the eyes of my country). My politics is substantially consistent with that prayer.

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SNOWFLAKE said:

I got your reference. You were responding to someone who seldom - if ever - has anything wise to say. I was applauding your comeback to that person. Saying they didn't really think through their response (which you were able to quite easily rebut).

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SNOWFLAKE said:

Well, if you ain't a Christian Nationalist then you ain't a Christian. Think about it.

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Hari Seldon said:

Not a Christian or affiliated with any religion. Thank God.

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upsideguy said:

Actually, Christian Nationalists are not Christian. They are CINO's; modern day zealots, using the name of God to further their lust for earthly power.

Throughout human history, whenever church and state gets too close, they corrupt one another. One of the odd consequences of the evangelical community getting too close to Trump is now many find Christ too woke and don't want to talk about him. Matthew is often not discussed in churches today.

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SNOWFLAKE said:

Ever hear the phrase America First? Course you have. But what if you are a Christian? Do you put your country AHEAD of your faith? Or your faith ahead of the country?

Another way of asking the question - do you follow the teachings of Christ and the Bible OVER your political ideology, or does your political ideology force you to compromise some of what Christ taught and the Bible preaches?

'We Are Christians First, Americans Second'

It's a platitude that American Christians have recited so many times we're bored by it, but it still means something.

www.patheos.com

HOWEVER, if you are politically aligned, against one political party but ALL in on the other, are you not putting country (and your politics) above your faith?

Can you really be a Christian first if you believe that America is God's country, and can you really be a Christian if you believe that Christ is only for your people, not those people over there? That sounds like putting American (in your heart) above being a Christian.

If you HAVE TO justify your religion in context to American "values", are you not also putting America first above your faith?

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Hari Seldon said:

Not a Christian or affiliated with any religion. Thank God.

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SNOWFLAKE said:

Neither I, but my target audience are those who profess to be both Christian AND American and see where their loyalties lie first.

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Old 'N Chill said:

Separation of church and state, freedom from religion.

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SNOWFLAKE said:

I was mimicking a certain mindset

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Lutherf said:

I suspect that your world view begins and end with politics. That would make it impossible to understand things that aren't political.

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SNOWFLAKE said:

I asked a question. Some people are unable to answer the question without a deflection - in your case, accusing me of having a world view based on politics. Of course I do, religion is bogus, it's believing in fairy tales. Plus being Canadian I don't believe in America first, those who spout that nonsense can't possibly lay claim to being Christian.
I do understand you had to make the question about me, but JAYSUS man, can you EVER answer a question without the............. but you, but you, but you, but you..............
Though I have to admit your constant attention is kind of flattering.

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Lutherf said:

You seem to have a distinct misunderstanding of Christianity and, likely, faith in general.
America is no more or less God's country than anywhere else is. God is the creator of everything so it all is a gift from God. Likewise, we are all God's people and He turns none away that seek Him.

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Lutherf said:

I suspect that your world view begins and end with politics. That would make it impossible to understand things that aren't political.

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Lutherf said:

So you intentionally ask a bullshit question regarding something that you don't even believe in and I'm the one causing a problem?

As an aside, I DID answer your question but your desire to deride those who see the world through a different filter than you do has precluded you from understanding that.

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Old 'N Chill said:

Same here. Went to Catholic grade school for eight years, as soon I went to public high school I kicked the fantasy preaching to the curb. Never looked back and don't regret it at all. Thank the Big Duck In The Sky.

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