Commentary: How Patriotic Church Services Misunderstand the Military

[CopyBoy]

In what seemed like a fever dream, I found myself peddling hot dogs at a local rodeo one hot September night. I guess that’s what you get when you work as a pastoral intern for a rural congregation in eastern North Carolina. Townsfolk crowded into the bleachers as cowboys and cowgirls tested their strength and dexterity against mighty beasts of burden. After hours of competition, the lights suddenly lowered, and a spotlight shone in the middle of the arena. The announcer proclaimed the heroic deeds of faithful American soldiers. A hush came over the crowd.

The announcer directed the crowd’s attention to a cowboy dressed in dazzling white entering the arena. The announcer told the crowd that this was the “Christian cowboy” who “rides for the American way of life.” While “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” played in the background, the Christian cowboy rode around the arena, with each circuit carrying the flag of a different military branch. The fervor of the crowd grew until the final lap, when the cowboy carried the American flag in one hand and the Christian flag in the other. As the rider came to a halt in the center of the arena, the crowd was invited to pray. Even the horse bowed his head on cue.

christianitytoday.com/ct/2016/january-web-only/how-patriotic-church-services-misunderstand-military.html

 

[Son_of_Niall]

How is this different than ancient Rome?

 

[Crusaderbear]

The described scene is all theater, the difference from Rome is America isn’t out to conquer the world (at least not in the way Rome was…)

Yeah, you can argue that all you want, its my opinion.
Q
One thing I did learn in my time in the service, not everyone on this old world wants to be like Americans. And forcing democracy on anyone doesn’t work. They have to want it.

Okay I learnt me two things!

 

[GEddie]

The described scene is all theater, the difference from Rome is America isn’t out to conquer the world (at least not in the way Rome was…)

Yeah, you can argue that all you want, its my opinion.
Q
One thing I did learn in my time in the service, not everyone on this old world wants to be like Americans. And forcing democracy on anyone doesn’t work. They have to want it.

Okay I learnt me two things!

And before leaving US territory, anybody should understand that a) we are not a democracy, we never were, we are a representational republic, b) geniune democracy has existed nowhere in the world in millenniums, and c) democratization in a lot of places would lead to anti-Americanism rather than otherwise.

Oligarchy is here to stay.

ICXC NIKA

PS. Bear, your service is much appreciated.

 

[Peter_J]

The described scene is all theater, the difference from Rome is America isn’t out to conquer the world (at least not in the way Rome was…)

I’m not certain that entirely describes the difference. But, to be fair, I think “How is this different than ancient Rome?” is a difficult question. Kind of like asking “How is an apple different from a hamster?”

 

[Son_of_Niall]

I’m not certain that entirely describes the difference. But, to be fair, I think “How is this different than ancient Rome?” is a difficult question. Kind of like asking “How is an apple different from a hamster?”

No it isn’t.
It’s worship of the State, exactly what Rome did. American evangelical churches come dangerously close to this when this kind of service is done.