CHRISTIANS: Are you a Christian first, and an American second? Or an American first, Christian second?

Question

I'm an American only. So can you understand how we might consider you untrustworthy or not a very good American? That you might undermine the American way of life and justify it by saying, "We must obey God rather than men." --?

Don't understand? Want details?

Here's how Christians can subvert America in the name of religion:

-- Interfering with commerce by blockading or vandalizing women's health clinics or adult bookstores.

-- Christian businesses refusing to obey general regulations that apply to their secular competitors, or refusing to pay Social Security on their employees.

-- Insisting on a biased display of religion on public property, or proselytizing in speeches at public events when they've been asked not to.

-- Taking "God's Law" into your own hands to mete out punishment to "sinners" where the government fails to make some "sins" illegal.

-- Giving America a bad image overseas by engaging in aggressive proselytism contrary to the law of the country they're in.

I'm sure there's more.

Answer 1

I am a Christian first. Sorry but my allegiance it first to the One who loves me the most.

I will choose God first, in all things

Answer 2

Though this is a very valid question, I believe the best way to answer it is to tweak the question only slightly and have you answer it yourself.

Yes, for yourself.

You say you are an American only. Is that true? Perhaps, but probably (hopefully) not.

Let's say that hypothetically America turned into something similar to Nazi Germany and started killing some race of people in concentration camps. Or, if you want a historical example, pretend like you lived in American during the times of concentration camps for Japanese Americans.

Are you loyal to America (since you say you are an American only) under such circumstances?

Let's say you answer that you are loyal, then Christians and non-Christians alike have every right to be concerned about you as a person and to find you untrustworthy as a human being.

If you answer that you are disloyal, why? Did you say you are only an American? In this case, apparently not. Thus you actually have higher loyalties to a moral law just like Christians do – even if you don’t feel that moral law comes from God.

Assuming you are a decent human being, then you answered that you would not stay loyal to America if it became like Nazi Germany. That being the case, does this mean people should consider you untrustworthy or not a very good American? Doesn't it actually mean you are a truer American?

The real difference isn’t a matter of loyalties. The real difference is how you define matters of conscience.

Answer 3

I'm a Christian that happens to be American... no wait I'm an American that happens to be a Christian..... no wait.....

Hopefully Christians should put forth a good example for all men... even men that answer questions such as these....

Explain to me how Christians undermine the American way of life? Do you know ANYTHING about Christianity? Or do you go by one bad experience and things you see on TV? Do you take into consideration how many people throughout the world have been helped by Christians not the extreemists that are nuts? Can you differentiate? How about Muslims? Do you think they are all terrorists? What about Jews?

I think in this day in age there is no such excuse for ignorance.... especially when you have a computer in front of you...

Answer 4

Funny, the British thought the same thing ....

I am a Christian first, and an American second. And, per my American Constitution, if the government decrees things that I find unconscionable, I have the right to rebel. America is a democratic republic where the majority rules, but Christians are citizens of two kingdoms.

So, we love our country and will exist within its context, but if America were ever to abandon Christian principles or condone evil, we would become enemy combatants and exercise civil disobedience.

Ath

Answer 5

Number one, I'm a Christian first. Number 2, God tells us in the bible that we are to obey the laws of man. How exactly do Christians undermine the american way of life? I'm a little confused on that.

Answer 6

If for some reason the govt. said "All true Americans must renounce Christianity".Then ,I would be a Christian first.My family has been here since 1620 and many have fought(including myself) and many have died.We were in the Revolution,the Civil War,the Spanish American War,WWII and Korea,and last of all Vietnam.So take your false Patriotism and stow it.Study the Bill of Rights and the Constitution ....sonny

Answer 7

Why would we be considered untrustworthy? Christian Americans have been giving their lives and defending this country for over 400 years. And nowhere does it say to rebel against the laws of men. It may say to hold the laws of God higher, but that is all that can be said about that.

Answer 8

I was born in Highland, Indiana but...I have a homeland city that is different.

The walls around my homeland city are made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls are decorated with every kind of precious stone.

There are gates, each made of a single pearl. The great street of the city is also of pure gold, like transparent glass.

There is no temple in the city, and it does not need a sun or a moon to shine on it because there is no night and many nations walk in the light...and there is much splender and glory and honor...and on no day are its gates ever shut...

...I can understand (and live with) your distrust, but can you understand (and live with) how there can be nothing more important than this…

…and can you understand (and live with) the fact that if I indeed make this the most important thing, then you will find that you have as good of an American citizen as you could ever hope for?

Answer 9

I am a Catholic Christian first, american second. I see your point, but the fact is that my church would only support laws and regulations that would be beneficial to all; and that doesn't mean we want to eliminate your right to believe whatever creed you want - true christianity believes in free will.

I assure you that the terms Christian and American are not mutually exclusive. You may not like our views on certain things, but doesn't mean they are not what's best for america.

Answer 10

Pot, meet kettle... You're both black.

You claim people are lazy when they try to get others to actually READ the Constitution and explain what THEY think it means (see your answer to my last question), and then you spend your time denigrating your fellow citizens for exercising their first amendment rights to practice their religion without impediment... You're quite a piece of work!

You may not LIKE the fact that everyone gets to practice their religion, but if you're the AMERICAN you claim you are, you'll defend their RIGHT to do so, rather than harassing them for holding views different from your own.

Answer 11

If you are a Christian and put God first in everything you do, you can be the best American you can be. You can do all things through God. How is that is undermining the "American way of life" with freedom of religion and all?

EDIT: With your explanations up here now, true Christians know that only God can judge. We should never resort to violence to get our point across. We should never push our religion on someone to the point where they are uncomfortable. Those Christians you described are fanatics and are not really Christians.