"Oh, that I could have had my days in the days when my father Nephi first came out of the land of Jerusalem...then were his people easy to be entreated, firm to keep the commandments of God, and slow to do iniquity..." Hel. 7:7
About this time of year, when I was in the sixth grade, we had a concert. I don't remember all the details, but I remember that everyone participated, and we spent time in class preparing for it. Our theme? America. The culmination of the whole event was when we sang "God Bless the USA" to a standing ovation. This was shortly before 9/11, so it was not a time of particular patriotism to speak of, but we filled the entire auditorium at the middle school next door to our little elementary school. It was a big deal. This isn't where I learned patriotism, but it's certainly one of the places that it was reinforced in my mind.
Fast forward eleven years to the present. I'm at the movies on Tuesday night, watching the much anticipated Avengers. It was awesome. Ever since I saw Captain America and Thor last year, I've been super excited. Arguably my favorite hero in this series of movies has been the Cap'. He's kind of old fashioned, even for a guy from the '40s. Even there he was different from other guys. Here, he's just plain an oddity. After the movie, the girl I went with (who fruitlessly keeps asking me what my favorite things are, not realizing that I am really bad at the whole "favorite" thing) asked what my favorite part of the movie was. I replied that one of them was at one point when someone points out to Captain A. that he ought not to involve himself in a skirmish between Loki and Thor, after all, "they're basically gods." Without missing a beat, Captain Rogers replies, "There's only one God, and I'm pretty sure He doesn't dress like that", and then throws himself into the middle of things.
The line was funny, and make no mistake, but it demonstrated something else. See, in the movie, Rogers/America is portrayed as something of a throwback, "the real deal". With his "spangly outfit", and his can-do attitude, he's the picture of old-timey patriotism. And conflated in that is a certain level of religiousness, like it or not.
Tonight, I went to what, I suppose, would be the equivalent today of the concert we did when I was in sixth grade. My littlest sister attends the same school I did. It was held in the little cafe-gymna-torium at the school, and they didn't even bother opening the divider halfway back. Even then, the room had more empty seats than full ones. Where the majority of the school participated in the concert when I was there, this was a volunteer, extra-curricular choir that had probably thirty or so kids in it. When they asked us to stand and sing the national anthem with the choir, I'm pretty sure my parents and I were the only members of the audience that I could hear singing. Oh, and you'd better believe there wasn't a single mention of the word God in the whole performance. There were the unavoidable references from those pesky founding documents that make some people so zealous to undermine the credibility of our founding fathers (you know, that bit about men being "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights", and that part in the Bill of Rights that guarantees we can worship how we will), but for the most part, the concert skirted the issue of God. And it showed.
Don't get me wrong-it was a nice show, and I'm sure the kids put a lot of effort and heart into it. It was thought provoking, and a nice expression of appreciation for the country we live in. But something was missing; it didn't have the draw or the power that our concert did so long ago (and I know that wasn't because kids' singing skills have made any kind of change). We invited our parents and grandparents and we filled the auditorium, and when we sang "God Bless the USA", I know that at least I felt something.
Like it or not, you have to admit that not that long ago, America was a very religious nation. You have to deal with the fact that this nation's existence as we know it hinged upon immigrants seeking freedom to worship God as they liked, without fear of public condemnation for their beliefs. You have to deal with the unlikely confluence of factors that led to a rebel force routing the greatest military of their age. And then you have to deal with the fact that there's this somewhat uncanny temporal link between when the power of America to stand against its foes began to fade, and when the religious underpinnings of our society became the object of public disdain by those in the media.
Ironically, with the rise of the "hipster" movement, "retro" is in. As long as it's about what you wear, or your mode of transportation. If it's about who you actually are, though, forget it. Morality is too old fashioned. Openly talking about God might just offend someone. No, the only people that are allowed to do that are the anti-religious ones. And teaching your kids, not just letting them "decide for themselves", based on the facts that are "made available to them"? That's indoctrination. Unlike what the learned "experts" who decide our curriculum, media exposure, etc (and therefore the "facts" made available), are doing. That's education. Oh, and when someone blatantly lies about what Jesus says (or in the case I saw today, doesn't say) in the bible to support their "progressive" view, that's dandy; don't try to correct them by quoting His actual words, because that's "propaganda", and you should think before you just spout it.
I'm sure many of you have quit reading this rant by now. That's ok. I guess my point is, America is, and always has been, intertwined with a belief in the divine. Moreover, in the religion that I believe in, it's stated that whoever would possess this land in freedom must "serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ..." It's part of who Captain America is. Many great scientists and leaders of industry and our nation did (and still do) it.
This theophobia exhibited by so many is really a pretty recent development. I don't intend to change because of it, just like I don't intend to change just because some (very "modern") people think a man opening a woman's door, or walking her all the way to her doorstep when it's late at night is sexist. It's a part of who I am. Call me old fashioned, if you like. You wouldn't be the first one this week.
About this time of year, when I was in the sixth grade, we had a concert. I don't remember all the details, but I remember that everyone participated, and we spent time in class preparing for it. Our theme? America. The culmination of the whole event was when we sang "God Bless the USA" to a standing ovation. This was shortly before 9/11, so it was not a time of particular patriotism to speak of, but we filled the entire auditorium at the middle school next door to our little elementary school. It was a big deal. This isn't where I learned patriotism, but it's certainly one of the places that it was reinforced in my mind.
Fast forward eleven years to the present. I'm at the movies on Tuesday night, watching the much anticipated Avengers. It was awesome. Ever since I saw Captain America and Thor last year, I've been super excited. Arguably my favorite hero in this series of movies has been the Cap'. He's kind of old fashioned, even for a guy from the '40s. Even there he was different from other guys. Here, he's just plain an oddity. After the movie, the girl I went with (who fruitlessly keeps asking me what my favorite things are, not realizing that I am really bad at the whole "favorite" thing) asked what my favorite part of the movie was. I replied that one of them was at one point when someone points out to Captain A. that he ought not to involve himself in a skirmish between Loki and Thor, after all, "they're basically gods." Without missing a beat, Captain Rogers replies, "There's only one God, and I'm pretty sure He doesn't dress like that", and then throws himself into the middle of things.
The line was funny, and make no mistake, but it demonstrated something else. See, in the movie, Rogers/America is portrayed as something of a throwback, "the real deal". With his "spangly outfit", and his can-do attitude, he's the picture of old-timey patriotism. And conflated in that is a certain level of religiousness, like it or not.
Tonight, I went to what, I suppose, would be the equivalent today of the concert we did when I was in sixth grade. My littlest sister attends the same school I did. It was held in the little cafe-gymna-torium at the school, and they didn't even bother opening the divider halfway back. Even then, the room had more empty seats than full ones. Where the majority of the school participated in the concert when I was there, this was a volunteer, extra-curricular choir that had probably thirty or so kids in it. When they asked us to stand and sing the national anthem with the choir, I'm pretty sure my parents and I were the only members of the audience that I could hear singing. Oh, and you'd better believe there wasn't a single mention of the word God in the whole performance. There were the unavoidable references from those pesky founding documents that make some people so zealous to undermine the credibility of our founding fathers (you know, that bit about men being "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights", and that part in the Bill of Rights that guarantees we can worship how we will), but for the most part, the concert skirted the issue of God. And it showed.
Don't get me wrong-it was a nice show, and I'm sure the kids put a lot of effort and heart into it. It was thought provoking, and a nice expression of appreciation for the country we live in. But something was missing; it didn't have the draw or the power that our concert did so long ago (and I know that wasn't because kids' singing skills have made any kind of change). We invited our parents and grandparents and we filled the auditorium, and when we sang "God Bless the USA", I know that at least I felt something.
Like it or not, you have to admit that not that long ago, America was a very religious nation. You have to deal with the fact that this nation's existence as we know it hinged upon immigrants seeking freedom to worship God as they liked, without fear of public condemnation for their beliefs. You have to deal with the unlikely confluence of factors that led to a rebel force routing the greatest military of their age. And then you have to deal with the fact that there's this somewhat uncanny temporal link between when the power of America to stand against its foes began to fade, and when the religious underpinnings of our society became the object of public disdain by those in the media.
Ironically, with the rise of the "hipster" movement, "retro" is in. As long as it's about what you wear, or your mode of transportation. If it's about who you actually are, though, forget it. Morality is too old fashioned. Openly talking about God might just offend someone. No, the only people that are allowed to do that are the anti-religious ones. And teaching your kids, not just letting them "decide for themselves", based on the facts that are "made available to them"? That's indoctrination. Unlike what the learned "experts" who decide our curriculum, media exposure, etc (and therefore the "facts" made available), are doing. That's education. Oh, and when someone blatantly lies about what Jesus says (or in the case I saw today, doesn't say) in the bible to support their "progressive" view, that's dandy; don't try to correct them by quoting His actual words, because that's "propaganda", and you should think before you just spout it.
I'm sure many of you have quit reading this rant by now. That's ok. I guess my point is, America is, and always has been, intertwined with a belief in the divine. Moreover, in the religion that I believe in, it's stated that whoever would possess this land in freedom must "serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ..." It's part of who Captain America is. Many great scientists and leaders of industry and our nation did (and still do) it.
This theophobia exhibited by so many is really a pretty recent development. I don't intend to change because of it, just like I don't intend to change just because some (very "modern") people think a man opening a woman's door, or walking her all the way to her doorstep when it's late at night is sexist. It's a part of who I am. Call me old fashioned, if you like. You wouldn't be the first one this week.
Ray your blog posts always fascinate me. I agree with you it is very sad and unfortunate that we have reached a time where acknowledge our God and creator is considered unacceptable. As you stated people seeking religious freedom is what started this nation we now live in. My dad love to study church history and our nations history, in studying both he is able to see the hand of God in the founding of the nation to make the growth of the church possible. Without God nothing would be possible.
ReplyDeleteAs for being old school never stop! You have more class then those who ridicule for you and they should learn a leason from you.
That's just what I think.
I love you son. It was wonderful to have you with us tonight. I will tell you the same sweet teachers who put on that show long ago are still the ones who put it on tonight. As I visit with them about their choices they are being given more and more restricting parameters. They feel great sorrow over these events. I do feel they tried very hard to do what they could to keep as much of the old values there as possible. I fear what happens as we see the last of this old God fearing guard retire.
ReplyDeleteI too feel the sadness of the change of sentiment o
in our country and our open declarations of belief in God. I applaud your zeal to be a part of the believers who will fight to keep this nation great. We must stand strong in these times and do all we can to promote freedom and encouraging our nation and it's people to return to the Lord. If each of us open our mouths and use our voice it will make a difference. I also feel that we must use our right and freedom to vote. In this election especially I think the outcome of the presidential race in particular, but to a great extent in all the races, will make all the difference between sliding further away from the Lord as a nation or drawing closer to him. We need to use our voices here also to encourage others and support the candidates we feel will help our state and nation draw closer to the divine. We watched to a great extent the same circumstances happen at the end of the "Vietnam / hippy era as the nation was falling away from patriotism and God That one man by the name of Ronald Reagan could turn around the whole nation and bring God back into vogue.
Son your Grandma would be so proud of you (I am sure she really is cheering on the other side). Never feel old fashioned when you are doing what is right. I am so thankful for your grandparents and the Legacy of faith and patriotism they gave us. I am so thankful that that legacy continues in you. Let us continue to pray that God will bless America, then let's roll up our sleeves and work to make the USA a place He can and will bless.