I grew up in the very buckle of the "Bible Belt", raised by a military father, surrounded by uncles, cousins, and family friends who were almost all veterans, and listening to preachers from some of the most fundamentalist parts of the deep South. You know the kind, no doubt....the shouting, pacing, pulpit-hammering sort so often caricatured in film and literature. Having thus placed my 'credentials' as a fundamentalist redneck (33rd degree) on the table, I have to ask where in God's green (or, in Arizona, tan) earth did the author of that piece hear someone drop this line:

“The King James Version of the Holy Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God.” Then they add, “The King James was good enough for Paul and Silas, so it’s good enough for me,”

in a serious vein? The bit about the KJV being good enough for Paul and Silas is the punch line to one of the oldest jokes in the Southern Baptist Convention, and yet this person seems to think it's a serious belief among Christians of some variety. Somebody's humor meter needs new batteries.

I also think the author might want to look at a more representative sampling of "fundamentalist Christians" than she seems to have. Using the "Mega-churches" as examples of typical Christianity is no more accurate than holding up McDonalds as an example of a fine dining establishment. Might I suggest to the author that a trip to a few small-town / country churches in the South might be in order? I can already tell her (I'm assuming that "Loren" is a female name, but I"ve seen enough odd names to not be totally sure) that if my 40+ years of experience are any guide, she'll find the vast majority of folks there to be highly skeptical of those mega-churches and televangelists, friendly, hard-working (or, these days, hard out-of-working) folks with a strong love of country, God, and community...or maybe I was just hanging about with the wrong crowd.

Yes, you can find some really reprehensible folks in church...I'll go ahead and preemptively mention the Phelps family / Westborough Baptist Church just to save someone else the trouble. Before you use the Phelps crew as examples of 'right wing Christianity at its finest', I'd suggest that you ask a few members of other churches their opinions of the Not-So-Reverend Phelps. It's almost certain to be colorful.

The author seems determined to take any and every sign of patriotism among churchgoers as a sign that said churchgoers are either fascists or idolaters. It seems to never cross her mind (or at least not the keyboard on her word processor) that it's possible to love God and country...or, to use a slightly out-of-context quote from an old, old source, to "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God that which is God's".

Now that I've delivered the sermon, the ushers will circulate among you with the collection plates, and Brother Anonymous will then lead us in a Benediction.

[edit on 28-9-2009 by Brother Stormhammer]

The constitution and the bill of rights have not given away to martial
law,not yet.Until that happens,I am a proud,flag- waving,Bible- reading,
gun- bearing,patriot grandma of the united states!
My Bible and my flag, don't get burned by anyone,foreign or domestic!

God Bless America,land that I love!If you don't like my country,don't
try to change it to what you want.Pack your bags and your visas and
don't let the door hit your behind on the way out!

Well, I do consider both the Flag and Cross to be examples of Idolatry.

Nationalism under the guise of "Patriotism" to a symbol is utter ridiculousness. Even loyalty to a Nation or a Government are rather ridiculous IMHO. To me, true Patriotism lies in a willingness to live by and die by the principle beliefs a Nation was founded upon.

Worshiping a Cross instead of worshiping the tenets of belief that the Christian Religion was based upon are pretty ridiculous and misguided too. Although I may find Dogmatic Religions to seem rather ridiculous in and of themselves, it's not my place to judge another if they feel that a Dogmatic Religion such as Christianity is good enough for them. And so long as I'm accorded the same right to worship or believe as I choose to believe, then it's all good in my book. However, if you don't walk the talk and just rally beneath a symbol, then I reserve the right to ridicule...and expect the same in return.

The United States never was a Christian Nation, although this land was a sanctuary to Protestants fleeing persecution in Europe, our Nation was intended to be a tolerant Nation that protected the religious beliefs of all Religions (or lack thereof).

Likewise, I can't imagine that our forefathers that fought for Independence from British rule ever expected their Flag to be so sacrosanct that it would allow the Freedoms they fought for to be given lesser status than it.

The day that I am persecuted for trampling and spitting on a Cross or a Flag will be the day that I know that Freedom has been lost, and as a true Patriot must fight to restore those Liberties, not just for myself, but for all.

Do not confuse the trappings for the substance lest one fall prey to foolishness! To worship a Cross is no substitute for being a Christian, just as saluting the Flag is no substitute for being a Patriot.

One of these days you will know the truth!I hope you learn the truth before
it is too late.You take God and the Bible out of our country,we will fall.
Who do you think allowed all these politicians to be in power,the people?
No,It was God who allowed it!Proverbs 16:33,"The lot is cast into the lap;
but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord".



Your blanket statements are what I find most frightening in this free society we share. You seem to know the thoughts of God himself...the only mistake we can make over here in the new world is to follow the example of the Islamic Fundamentalists that dictate the mind and intentions of God for the whole of their society. Pretty audacious don't ya think.

Patriotism is an admirable trait.

Most people forget you can love your country and hate your government at the same time.

Your bible does not belong in the halls of congress, the Oval office or any other office that sees to the rights of the atheists, Muslims, or Buddhists that also call America their home.

I think that is perfectly stated. Regardless of what many people seem to believe, the United States is NOT a Christian nation. I don't care whether are far left, far right, Democrat, Republican, Independent, or whatever. Making political decisions, and passing laws based on religious beliefs can only harm this country.

Don't try and remove my Bible and my flag,we'll get along just fine!

I would never try to remove anyone's bible. I believe in your right to keep the bible of your God, just like I support the right of Jews to keep theirs, Muslims to keep theirs, and so forth. I would ask all of you though to keep your d@mn bibles out the lives of me and my children.

In 1892,The U.S. Supreme court made this ruling in a case.(Church of
The Holy Trinity VSThe United States)
"No purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation,
state or national,because this is a religious people.This is a Christian
nation."