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Myth of a Christian Nation Lyrics
I'm tired of being filed into classrooms
And made to sit in pews
Made subject to the tyranny of scriptures you abuse
And handed guns to march along
Like patriotic clowns
Believing anything we're told
And gunning anybody down
I know you think the flag's got something to do with being free
But what makes you think that matters to me
We think we're doing something right
No matter how bizarre
Turn some stranger into a demon
Cause we're told that's what they are
No one needs to wonder why we've become so despised
All the evil we're known for seem so righteous in our eyes
I know you think the flag's got something to do with being free
But what makes you think that matters to me
I know you think the flag's got something to do with being free
But what makes you think that matters to me
And made to sit in pews
Made subject to the tyranny of scriptures you abuse
And handed guns to march along
Like patriotic clowns
Believing anything we're told
And gunning anybody down
But what makes you think that matters to me
No matter how bizarre
Turn some stranger into a demon
Cause we're told that's what they are
No one needs to wonder why we've become so despised
All the evil we're known for seem so righteous in our eyes
But what makes you think that matters to me
I know you think the flag's got something to do with being free
But what makes you think that matters to me
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From Josh: Myth Of A Christian Nation: The title was inspired by Greg Boyd's excellent book of the same name. It's pretty self-explanatory: a very explicit rant against the idea that America is "God's kingdom" or that the nation is noble and admirable as opposed to just another fallen worldly kingdom. Our idea of freedom has nothing to do with any nation. Jesus' call to love and die for our enemies is in no way exemplified by a ruthless powerhouse that stands for blowing your enemies away, and we've come to resent the false connection of America to Christ that confuses people the world over.
Get a grip...name one war of the U.S.' in the last century that was fought on the basis of religion.
Get a grip...name one war of the U.S.' in the last century that was fought on the basis of religion.
You're missing the point... I've met Showbread before. They're against ALL war. They're pacifists. They believe that all war is against the message that Jesus declared. Jesus declared peace. War is against Jesus' message in every way possible. They, and I, believe that all war is wrong and contrary to Jesus.
You're missing the point... I've met Showbread before. They're against ALL war. They're pacifists. They believe that all war is against the message that Jesus declared. Jesus declared peace. War is against Jesus' message in every way possible. They, and I, believe that all war is wrong and contrary to Jesus.
I agree that America is too strongly asserted to be a "Christian nation" as if it has one collective soul that has been saved. But "believing anything we're told and gunning anybody down"? Sorry, I don't see it anywhere around me. It's not just that it's unpatriotic, it's that it's untrue. I've never heard anyone connect America to Christ (maybe to Christian culture or a vaguely mentioned "Creator"), I don't see how we're "gunning everybody down", I can't think of a scripture that is abused for America's sake, and in general it's just a sour rant. What is it about the word "America" that freaks out all the musicians in the world? Maybe I just need to read that guy's book. I don't know.
"I know you think the flag's got something to do with being free But what makes you think that matters to me?"
Maybe the fact that you're using the very freedom that you claim to be so apathetic about to write these very words. Writing that is sort of self-defeating. Everyone believes in freedom whether they know it or not. Any reason I've heard for opposition of freedom is that some other person is misusing it (so people want their own freedom to take away that of others). No one wants their own taken away and if they do, they are taking their freedom away by their own free will.
But the bottom line is, at some point the guy writing this has heard lies about Christian culture or seen a very small minority of it which is like what he describes in the song. Or read a ridiculous-sounding book (yeah, I know I haven't read it). He should be grateful for the opportunity he has to parade his faith in front of as many people as will listen and make a living off of it. By the way, "For the one who is not against us is for us. For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward." Mark 9:40-41. Words of Jesus. What's wrong with those who have pride in their faith? That verse will apply until someone can give me a good example of how "patriotic clowns" have misused bible verses or gunned opposition down.
Just because YOU personally haven't experienced it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. This song is spot on in regards to certain churches. Where I live, the Bible is abused to promote blind patriotism to a country that they want to transform into a "Christian nation." Also you're misinterpreting the last lines. It's the flag that means nothing to him--not freedom. This song is correct once placed outside of your ideal Christian community.
Just because YOU personally haven't experienced it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. This song is spot on in regards to certain churches. Where I live, the Bible is abused to promote blind patriotism to a country that they want to transform into a "Christian nation." Also you're misinterpreting the last lines. It's the flag that means nothing to him--not freedom. This song is correct once placed outside of your ideal Christian community.
I guess my view of the church has been pretty positive over the years, so a lack of experience could be an issue, but if as an American I'm oblivious to this, how can it really be an American thing? According to you it's just a southern culture, or even specific to where you live in the south. Where I live, and in view of the nation's media, I see almost no connection between Christianity, especially abused verses, and foreign policy, or even most of the general perception of the United States. With the TV media and the internet, if...
I guess my view of the church has been pretty positive over the years, so a lack of experience could be an issue, but if as an American I'm oblivious to this, how can it really be an American thing? According to you it's just a southern culture, or even specific to where you live in the south. Where I live, and in view of the nation's media, I see almost no connection between Christianity, especially abused verses, and foreign policy, or even most of the general perception of the United States. With the TV media and the internet, if I haven't experienced it, it's almost sure not to be the dominant thought in the nation a a whole as is implied in this song. I'd be interested to hear what exactly you observe Christians/patriotic clowns doing, though, in my lack of experience.
The ass is attempting to tie going to war with being Christian. Sorry, but our leaders are politicians of all faiths and of no faiths. They did not fight ANY of the modern wars due to religious conviction...NOT ONE. There appears to be little Christianity in politics. As for the flag, it's a symbol of freedom, considering when it was first seen/written about during wartime. Any symbol can be abused, and by people of faith or lack thereof. I believe the first four letters of the band's name adequately describe why the song was written.