"The year 1857 was not a good one for America. A financial crash had shaken the money centers of the world. Industry stood still. Wall St floundered. The slavery issue divided north and south, Irish and German immigrants flooded the labor markets and interest in religion was at an all time low.
Then a layman, Jeremiah Lanphier, began a noontime prayer meeting in New York city. At first only a few attended. But soon the idea spread to other cities. Pastors in Pittsburg and Cincinnati called for a day of prayer, fasting and humbling themselves before God. then came a national revival........"
What also followed was the Civil War and it's aftermath but even through that, we became a stronger nation. Don't give up hope. It's dark now but Christ has already won this battle. Keep the faith. Happy fourth to all my fellow bowsiters.
I am very proud to be an American, but I ashamed and embarrassed at how many of my fellow citizens have no knowledge of our history, no appreciation for all we've done for mankind and the increasing number of them who want to destroy the greatest country in the history of mankind.
I am proud to have a strong courageous military who will put their lives on the line for my family and myself everyday.
Outside of them I am constantly on the defensive to prove the worthiness at which time American and Proud were uttered in the same breath.
The Rock
While it's true that many Americans take their freedoms for granted, some reveling in their entitlement, many do not. I have some friends who are incredibly fair and level headed police officers. I have some friends who have served in the military and shed blood.
I am proud of their efforts and sacrifices. I am proud to be associated with them. Because of them and people like them, some here, I am proud to be an American.
I work to conduct myself in a worthy fashion and encourage my kids to follow my lead. Surrendering is not an option.
America as it was originally founded was the most Christian nation in history. It was Christian in concept of government and in social expectations of the people. That does not mean that it was perfect or that all citizens were Christians or identified and conducted themselves as such. It just means that it was the theme and intent of the nation and its citizens to be Christian in nature.
So, rather than personal pride to be an American, I have always felt BLESSED to be an American.
Through history, American has done many things right and made many mistakes. It still has been the greatest nation ever in almost any way you could analyze or measure. That includes the mightiest military, the most prosperous economy, the millions of people who have been blessed with freedom both here and around the world.
America is the first military powerhouse in history that has voluntarily built up and freed conquered nations and their people instead of plundering and absorbing them (Native Americans could see this differently).
America is the greatest nation to ever exist. We as citizens of America are still the most blessed people on earth. Unfortunately, as America increasingly turns from the precepts and practices of its founding, we will likely rapidly degenerate into just another place where people are miserably treated by their government.
God Bless America? Only if the people humbly come to God, repent, and are willing to receive His great blessings once again on this nation.
HA/KS's Link
"As Margaret Thatcher, the British prime minister, put it: “Europe was created by history. America was created by philosophy.” Lady Thatcher was right. The philosophy is one of individual liberty, free-market opportunity and belief that it's all a gift from God. America is the best idea the world has ever had, the greatest value system ever devised."
NEVER GIVE UP !!!!!!!
America was never all inclusive or at least not with the intent of all inclusive. For instance , one time we were a nation with rule of law and believers in rule of law. Immigrants had to abide under that rule of law and illegals were called aliens, not immigrants. They were rounded up and deported, they were turned back at the borders.
Sodomites were so outside of society's blessing. They stayed in the closets instead of insisting on not only acceptance but normalization.
A man and a woman were expected to marry before sex.
Now the norm is to have sex with multiple partners and if you then like a person you might move in with them and no commitment is expected .
Abortion was murder and outside of the law and condemned by society.
These are just the secular things I am mentioning. Now a lot of the church is advocating in the name of love and tolerance for these things that were only a short time ago concemned by society.
The flag is burned with impugnity. Our leaders make secret pacts with the avowed enemies of this state and of our closest allies. Our armed forces are being purposely degraded and generals and high officers that do not agree with foreign policies that are detrimental to the safety and well being of this country are summarily fired.
Our enemies no longer fear us and our allies no longer trust us.
No I am not proud of this nation. It needs to repent to God and go back to principals, constitutionality and morality. It needs to re affirm faith in God and denounce evil.
I hate what this nation has become and I believe it will be destroyed and split apart because of it.
Good and evil, God and SAtan cannot abide together in unity. This nation is deeply divided along lines that will never be compatable.
I pray for it. I pray for the wonderful people that form part of it., but no way am I proud of any part of it any more.
God bless you all, Steve
I take no credit for the actions of my friends. I have done nothing extraordinary to deserve to be an American. I too, was simply born here.
However, I believe that you and I, both, work to maintain and improve our corners of the world, doing what we can with our families and our daily interactions. Certainly undeserving of a parade or celebration, but if everyone worked to have a net positive impact, I think we'd all be better off.
And while I hope that we are never called to perform in an extraordinary capacity, if it were to become necessary, I would hope to conduct myself in a worthy fashion.
"I'm thankful for the grace of God and for the fact that I am a free born American. However I am anything but proud of this bunch of God hating, adulterous, forincaters, murders and thieves that have co opted this once great nation and call themselves Americans."
The very fact that most here have had to put forth an explanation to the question, including myself, is disconcerting to say the least.
I also reflect on a time not so long ago the same question would have been met with a five word sentence ..."Your damned right I am".
Now that same conviction eludes me and with it an unexplainable sensation of guilt of which I have little regard or care. That inner tug of war rages inside me like I have lost my best and greatest friend. Like the aforementioned I have learned to live with the emotions of sorrow and regret.
The Rock
I fear the judgment of God upon it and we all that believe in God and pray and believe in prayer need to carry this nation on our hearts continually. God is our only hope. I have not looked for any other answer but I have considered if there is any answer and I honestly see none. It seems like the powers that be do not believe that anything or any man or woman that would do what is right would be electable.
God bless you all, Steve
As many here may know I am not the agreeable sort just on reference or the written word. I need more proof of what a man and his moral character reflect than a consensus of his own soapbox and those who may polish it for their own welfare.
I totally agree with your assessment and God's involvement is our "only" hope. Man, in and of himself is not capable to save this foundering ship IMO. He does not possess the strength and power to resist at all costs.
The Rock
ohhh, it's just satire ? nothing to see there
No way half the country would find this amusing...well not quite half, only about 53%