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Idolatrous affection for the United States is inconsistent not just with Christian faith but with, well, what the United States is supposed to be.
The American Experiment is founded on the equality of all people, a notion that continues to be worked out in practice. 1/x
The American Experiment is founded on the equality of all people, a notion that continues to be worked out in practice. 1/x
The ongoing realization that such equality was subverted at the founding by slavery and continues to be subverted today by various expressions and systems of bigotry tells us that as Americans, we must celebrate our ideals more than our realities. 2/x
But the American Experiment is also founded on the notion that you just can't trust people--any people--with power. That includes majorities of the American people. At no point in ancient or recent history do we have examples of noble people exercising power nobly. 3/x
Therefore, this experiment distributes power, through federalism, separation of powers, frequent elections, curbs on the power of majorities, and recognition of natural rights perpetually retained by the people. 4/x
We decry the messiness of all that, but it can do an imperfect yet decent job of keeping us from running over each other in our idealistic enthusiasms that end up disguising our exercise of self-interest. These are particularly messy days in that regard. 5/x
This is why I will wax sentimental over the national holiday. I will fly the flag, watch "Hamilton!" and cry, and listen to Sousa marches and the musicians of the armed services. But I pray that I will not mince words about the work that remains and will always. 6/x
By the way, I'm not a leftist or a postmodernist or an exponent of critical whatever theory. I have a tragic but hopeful view of life generated from history and literature, mostly that of the sacred books of the Christian faith but supplemented by all else of worth. 7/7
