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E Pluribus Unum? America's Identity Crises
"America faces an identity crises. The next generation of Americans will know less than there parents about our history and founding ideals. And many Americans are more aware of what divides us than of what unites us. We are in danger of becoming not 'from many, one--E Pluribus Unum--but its opposite, 'from one, many'. "
The Bradley Project
The Bradley Project, a newly released study of America, has found that some of the radical ideas of the secularist, so-called progressive left, are hurting our country and a majority of Americans reject the ideas and the fact that they are being taught to our kids.
Some of the findings may surprise you. The primary offender; the institution which contributes most to our identity crises, will most likely not surprise you.
The study says there are those who believe that national citizenship is outmoded, doesn't keep with the requirements of a global economy or world peace and that individual nations pose a barrier to progress.
The project concludes that a person cannot literally be a "citizen of the world" or a continent or geographical entity for that matter.
They find civic education, "should be based on the distinctive features of citizenship in American democracy, not on the misleading idea that one can be a citizen of the world."
It is the schools and their textbooks that is leading the identity crises.
And Americans agree with the findings of the Bradley Project.
The study found that 80% of Americans believe that our schools should focus on American citizenship, not ethnic identity. Majorities of Latinos (70%) and African Americans (54%) agree.
Not only is the "world village" idea a failed concept, but the time spent in the classroom studying ethnic distinctives might be better spent studying American distinctives, including a truthful look at the ideas upon which this country was founded.
The study concludes that textbooks lack narrative drive, a neglect of America's heroes and dramatic achievements and too often students are taught more about America's failings than its successes.
So not only are most current history books boring, they have been revised to avoid allowing students to learn the truth about America's history and the deeply held Christian principles that guided the Founders of our country.
Students are not taught that America is unique among nations because it was not founded on a common ethnicity, but on a set of ideas and beliefs.
Not only are our textbooks misleading the student by omission of the facts, but some teachers, particularly tenured professors, hold a hatred for our country that is systematically taught in their classroom. It has become "in" to blame America for all the ills of the world, and in too many cases it is the teacher who preaches the gospel of "America the degenerate" to their students.
I can't tell you how many of these kinds of conversations I have had with students. But then what should we expect when we simply hand over our children to the radical left.
The misrepresentation of the so-called separation of church and state, the push for all things secular and an elite humanistic disdain for the Creator is providing justification for the growing identity crises.
A nation founded on ethnicity perpetuates itself by the fact of birth. But a nation founded on ideas and beliefs starts anew with each generation and with each new group of immigrants.
John F. Kennedy wrote, "History is the means by which a nation establishes its sense of identity and purpose."
Lincoln said he believed the "mystic chords of memory" held our country together.
Our education system has miserably failed for many reasons, including those mentioned above.
It has led this country to an identity crises that left unchecked will ultimately destroy this great nation. Or at least assign it to the historical dust bin of mediocrity and insignificance.
If we were to look at the ideals upon which this country was founded, our children would learn that our Founding Fathers were overwhelmingly Christian in their beliefs. And those beliefs were fundamental to our founding documents.
If the curtain could be lifted on our children's education, they would read that John Quincy Adams said on July 4th, 1821, "The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civic government with the principles of Christianity. From the day of the Declaration--- they [the American people] were bound by the laws of God, which they all, and by the laws of the Gospel, which they nearly all, acknowledged as the rules of conduct."
The adherence to these principles provided both safety and freedom for all to worship or to not worship in the way they chose.
Thomas Jefferson wrote in a letter to Horatio G Spafford on March 17, 1814 that religion is "Deemed in other countries incompatible with good government and yet provided by our own experience to be it's best support."
Now we are becoming "other countries."
And Jefferson was considered to be one of least religious Founding Father.
The Bradley Project should be a call to action. People of faith and conservatives must lead if we are to see America's greatness handed to our next generation.
__________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom
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13 Comments:
Prophecy in action. You will not find any place in the Bible where America is mentioned...Why? Because it will no longer be relevant, if in fact it has not been destroyed, in the final chapters of the world.
This commentary is just one of the paths this will take. We should fight it as long as we can but in the end we loose this fight; in the end though God wins the war. Another path to the vanishing of America is our instance in giving lands in Israel to people who do not belong there. God gave that land to Abraham and his decendants, its not ours or theirs to give away. And definatly not to people who came there after God allowed the Hebrew people to be scattered for a time.
The only hope for America is to turn back to its roots and back to God. Support Israel against the rest of the world. Then and only then will we survive longer. I believe biblical prophecy though and this will not happen and America, the land I love and have served with 22 years of my life in military service will vanish.
Then we will be with God in a land without people who deny God and his power and grace. I pray that day comes soon.
Admittedly the Bradly project needs to start with their spelling - it is "their" not "there" parents.
Best,
Patrick
Anon 1:17
You have an interesting world view - however, it is not the Kingdom world view. I won't detail that at present because it is fairly well known.
However, I did want to comment on your one statement
"Then we will be with God in a land without people who deny God and his power and grace. I pray that day comes soon."
I hang out with people who deny God all day long - and have the greatest fun and enjoyment - I also hang out with those seeking God and have the greatest fun and enjoyment - I believe this is the fulfillment of the 2nd Commandement. When we accomplish this - it is good to be alive doing the will of God wherever we are. To include some text - I never forget that we are all made in the image of God. Admittedly the "deniers" of God that I hang out with are not liars, theives and murderers in any meaningful sense of the word - I do have some boundaries that I know we have been called to.
Best,
Greg
Hi Patrick,
That's Bradley, with an "e".
So the Bradly Foundation, a reactionary conservative version of the Soros foundation, releases a "report", which supports conservative views. Earth shaking! In other news; water is wet!
Gary said,
"People of faith and conservatives must lead if we are to see America's greatness handed to our next generation."
Admittedly I am puzzled why, as blood bought children of God, we are focusing on America's greatness?? Why aren't we focused on Kingdom of God?? We were never taught to focus on the greatness of the nation we lived in - only to pray for it that we might in peace (ITim2). This is a great disorientation and appears to be a form of idolatry.
Again - where were the saints ever exhorted, taught to focus on establishing the greatness of the political nation they were involved with??
Good for you Patrick , no fair with me though , dylexia .
Interesting about this subject . A person in our school district became a US citizen , the rest of the janitors , kids and teachers at the elementary school he worked threw him a party .
In the article about it the reporter used the word melting pot , which brought a letter correcting the reporter on the mis use of the term , and in her belief , speaking from a human rights organization , it was hostile to the new citizen .
Being part of the melting pot never meant we lost our individuality , and the left often sees it this way , or perhaps they just dislike any form of nationalism , as the liberal Christian here uses as means to make much ruckus .
Same thing from the secualar point of view , which makes the liberal christian appear drawing secualar ideas and making his breathing bible preach on it ,
Many comment on the belief of freedom and equal justice for all is a method of allowing your country to do terrible things .
Perhaps many use it as a cover to do terrible things , but no more then those who use the Bible also .
Or marxism as a better example , more people died under the guise of government < communism> providing all our needs then any religion or country in the history of mankind .
I would argue without that United Bond many of us have in the things America stands for , it would be impossible to stop the terrible things people do in the name of freedom at times . in Unites those who normally would not be united , black , white , gay , straight , and of course yankee fans .
Liberals can be right , but its often by accident I have found . ;o)
Mick
Mimi,
Good catch! Please note that simply posted on a blog - I did not relase a report -
Best,
Patrick
Mick,
Because one person/organization who describes himself as a liberal makes a comment or holds a point of view, does that somehow create a monolithic "liberal" or "progressive" viewpoint?
If one Christian or Church holds a view, does that somehow create a "Christian" viewpoint? I think you know the answer to that - even among denominations that would describe themselves as "conservative". As an example, Gary's denomination, as I understand it, is AG. They "pray in tongues" as a sign of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. With all due respect, there are a LOT (in fact the majority) of Christians who consider such "babbling" to be nuts (I am of neither persuasion - I just know this to be the fact).
So why would you so quickly and negatively create a "liberal" viewpoint then use it as a partisan tool??? Does that behavior reflect the intellectual or moral credibility of Jesus Christ?
BTW - what is a "liberal" Christian or "conservative" Christian. I have only read about one kind of Christian in the Bible - blood bought and blood washed born again by the Holy Spirit - do you know anything else that I am missing??
Best,
Patrick
Greg:
I think you were replying to me when you replied to anon 1:17, I suggest you go back and really read what was posted as my name is right there at the top of the posting.
We can have all the friends we want here on earth as it is today. But after the Great White Throne Judgement happens all those who say God does not exist will be thrown into the lake of fire and those who have accepted Christ as their savior will be on the New Earth and the new Heaven. If you are a real friend you would work to ensure your "friends" now are your friends then.
This country was founded based on God's principles.American are loosing now their identity.The book's that kid's are reading find them boring.Some teacher's who dislike America are treaching diff. thing's instead of promoting to kid's of what a great country we have & those great heroe's who founded this graet country.
Patrick one view on a subject does not make a person a liberal or conservative .Just as a mis spelling make one's point of view less important or more .
There are major differences in liberal Christians and conservative .
Not always but more liberal Christians have a tendacy to take the view say that Christ is just one way to Heaven . But that is ot always the case .
Are you really unaware of the difference s, or is this a superiority game you feel you need to play to show us all your superior understanding of thw Gospel .
Which may be so , but obviously from your comments to the host of this Forum , and to others including myself , you have not got the Love of your Brothers and Sisters Part down yet .
But then again , we all need help their .
Excuse my gramar and spelling , I find all people worthy of my best efforts , even on blogs .
Love In Christ , Mick
Conservative view point
Life is a gift from God, and that "each individual [is] its steward." 4 Thus, only God can start a life, and only God should be allowed to end one. An individual who commits suicide is committing sin.
God does not send us any experience that we cannot handle. God supports people in suffering. To actively seek an end to one's life would represent a lack of trust in God's promise.
Liberal viewpoint
Of course, there is a significant and growing percentage of Agnostics, Atheists, Humanists, secularists, non-Christians and liberal Christians in North America who do not accept these theologically based arguments. They might argue:
Each person has autonomy over their own life. Persons whose quality of life is nonexistent should have the right to decide to commit suicide, and to seek assistance if necessary.
Sometimes a terminal illness is so painful that it causes life to be an unbearable burden; death can represent a relief of intolerable pain.
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