Professional Christan here (Presbyterian minister) and I chuckled when reading your father's words about more funerals! You are right about the indecisiveness of churches and your list of questions is so familiar.
I certainly appreciate all of the comments. And I understand that there are those who find this a very worrisome issue, so I hope you don't think I'm trying to 'gas-light' you. If anything, I'm just trying to give reasons for hope that this sort of extremism doesn't take hold. Thanks for all of your input, past and present!
Although I believe that Christian nationalism does exist, the term has become an overly spoken political buzz word used by some liberals to categorize conservatives, just as "wokeism" has become a similar "them vs. us" term used all too liberally by some conservatives to describe liberals. I am politically moderate, with friends on both sides of the political spectrum. Most of my friends are good Americans who deal with the realities of daily life but are disturbed about the ongoing political rhetoric and tribalism in our country. However, I know of none who identify as Christian nationalists or are genuinely woke...whatever that entails!?
Midwesterner here. My Facebook feed is full of folks who definitely think their way is the “right” way, and they are on both sides of the spectrum. And the “urging” we hear from our pastor about “pray and vote based on Holy scripture “ borders on the Christian Nationalism of which you speak. (He doesn’t say “vote for this person” or against proposals on the ballot, but comes uncomfortably close.)
Always a thoughtful read. The freedom to practice our religion is so important. When I see others who do not share my feelings that Christian nationalism is already ‘out of hand’ and ‘beyond a seat at the table’ , I wonder why they are not feeling it yet. The solution is simple. Protect religious freedom for all . Listen to each other and acknowledge that while you may not feel this pressure, others do.
"Nothing will divide the church so much as the love of power."
St. John Chrysostom
Professional Christan here (Presbyterian minister) and I chuckled when reading your father's words about more funerals! You are right about the indecisiveness of churches and your list of questions is so familiar.
I certainly appreciate all of the comments. And I understand that there are those who find this a very worrisome issue, so I hope you don't think I'm trying to 'gas-light' you. If anything, I'm just trying to give reasons for hope that this sort of extremism doesn't take hold. Thanks for all of your input, past and present!
Although I believe that Christian nationalism does exist, the term has become an overly spoken political buzz word used by some liberals to categorize conservatives, just as "wokeism" has become a similar "them vs. us" term used all too liberally by some conservatives to describe liberals. I am politically moderate, with friends on both sides of the political spectrum. Most of my friends are good Americans who deal with the realities of daily life but are disturbed about the ongoing political rhetoric and tribalism in our country. However, I know of none who identify as Christian nationalists or are genuinely woke...whatever that entails!?
Midwesterner here. My Facebook feed is full of folks who definitely think their way is the “right” way, and they are on both sides of the spectrum. And the “urging” we hear from our pastor about “pray and vote based on Holy scripture “ borders on the Christian Nationalism of which you speak. (He doesn’t say “vote for this person” or against proposals on the ballot, but comes uncomfortably close.)
I am a nationalist and a very imperfect Christian. I am not a Christian nationalist, nor have I ever known one personally.
“Jesus wept indeed”…😂. We all know that fried is the only acceptable method. About that doctrine there should be no argument.
Always a thoughtful read. The freedom to practice our religion is so important. When I see others who do not share my feelings that Christian nationalism is already ‘out of hand’ and ‘beyond a seat at the table’ , I wonder why they are not feeling it yet. The solution is simple. Protect religious freedom for all . Listen to each other and acknowledge that while you may not feel this pressure, others do.
Every line of this is excellent. Nodded along all the way through.