America, Dark but Lovely
So, for the record, I love this country. I really like America, it’s been a journey to get there, but I’m (sigh) even ‘proud to be an American.’
Let me share a little story. About six years ago, I was visiting the North African country of Tunisia with some friends of mine. I was with them as they were deciding whether to move to Tunisia.
While there, I was feeling rather embarrassed of being an American. I’d heard many stories of ugly Americans abroad: loud, self-centered, culturally insensitive people who boast of American superiority. I felt guilty for their sins. I was a self-hating American. I thought, “how unfortunate that all these other nations must tolerate our weaknesses; how noble of them to suffer long with us.”
About a week into the trip, we were invited to dinner at the home of a very generous Swiss-German couple. In talking with them, I was exceedingly apologetic, and self-conscious of my American stench. My self-deprecating humor and unredeemed cynicism spilled out. As I waxed philosophical about how difficult it must be for them to endure American pride and arrogance; they looked at me like I was crazy.
They began to talk about the Americans that they know as generous, warm and caring people. They explained that though there are some in the world who despise America, there are many more who have a love and appreciation for the US. It was an epiphany. America is dark but lovely. My goal in these posts is not to trash America. As I discovered in Tunisia, to hate America is merely a misguided form of self-hatred.
Neither is my goal to trash the founding fathers. I acknowledge that many of the things I love about America I owe to their leadership. The pluralistic society they founded has enabled myself and many millions to worship God with freedom and joy. I can say with sincerity that I am thankful for that gift. Free speech is a powerful gift, empowering the message of the Gospel to run freely. A free militia is a wonderful ‘check’ against the temptation of tyranny.
However, to hold up an American flag emblazoned with “in God we trust” is misleading. To declare the US as a ‘Christian nation’ is misleading and inaccurate. We are simply not a nation filled with Christ-like humility. I have little interest in defending the godliness of the American experiment. I see the broad strokes of God’s sovereign and perfect leadership; but not a specific divine blessing upon the US because of our piety. God loves America, (with all of her warts) but He didn’t found America.
[...] contemplation on America. Islam and polygamy in [...]
There are definitely wonderful things about America, despite the warts.
I made a similar discovery about 12 years ago on a Semester at Sea program. It seemed like everyone went through a journey of either being an American self-hater or a superficial patriot or switched back and forth between the two over the course of the 3 months. I came away with great memories and some fondness for many places (Turkey, Israel, Vietnam, Japan, etc.) - several of which the Lord has since turned into a significant burden in prayer. But above all, I came away with a sense of being happy to be what I am and to have been born where I was - not out of a sense of superiority, but just out of sense of liking my home.
I think much of what we think of as “the ugly American” has less to do with being American than with being rich and powerful. Our fallenness makes itself known all too plainly when we have the leverage for more “self-expression.”