I am an imperfect person, both with strengths and weaknesses. I have committed many bad things in my past. I have also achieved many great things. And yet, my family and friends honor me by celebrating my birthday one time each year. 

I celebrate the 4th of July because the birth of a great nation… an imperfect nation with imperfect people with a sordid past. But, this same country has many good qualities about it. One of those things is that America has remained a beacon of hope and light to people all across the world who live under oppressive governments. Eventually, millions of these people have made their way to the shores of America through immigration, giving them the freedom and opportunities they never had. Furthermore, America has sent out more Christian missionaries than any other country throughout the world, bringing with them a message of freedom and hope to a spiritually oppressed people, liberating them from Satanic strongholds. 

It’s for these and many other reasons why I choose to honor my country just once a year by celebrating it’s birthday, along with all its ugliness and imperfections, on July 4th. Yes, I am ashamed of many things our country has done in the past, many of these atrocities committed by white-Anglo Christians like me. But, I also believe in grace and forgiveness. And, I know many people who have prayed on behalf of our country asking for God’s grace and mercy. America isn’t perfect, neither am I. But, I am thankful for being born into a country that provided my most basic needs. Now, I want to bless others who didn’t have the privilege of living in a free country. Rather than sinking in the mud and mire of America’s past, I have chosen to live and serve in an impoverished nation and offer these people the same hope and freedom that I was afforded by living in America. Along with this hope and freedom, comes a spiritual message… a message that contains good news. The Good News that Christ has reconciled all of us to a holy and loving God.

I agree that we should be honest about who we are and how we have fallen short.  Thank God for grace that we don’t always have to be defined by the things we have done, that we are free to become better and the people God is calling us to become.  In that sense, Easter really is the biggest bash of all!

Perhaps it is the sense that Independence Day is about arriving–as though we have become the nation we (and our forefathers) aspire to be–that Pastor Willems rails against.  But that is just one viewpoint about the day.  For others, I’m pretty sure it is just as much about a cookout, some fireworks, and celebrating community.  And yes, that sense of community may extend from coast to coast.  So I will be celebrating with my family and my neighbors.  

I hear what your saying about just wars and freeing of slaves. As a gay christian who is unjustly placed in bondage to by fellow christians and being denied the freedom to worship freely among the people of God, I find a renewed focus and my eye set on my prize and the words of my declaration that I am free from Murder! and their bondage of us into Slavery.

Thanks for the post,

Ryan

Please get on the first plane and fly to Iraq,or afganistain.  there you will find American men and women in uniform our finest treasure dying for you to spew your ignorant liberal theology.  Please leave my great country and write this junk in Iran or China, but do not stomp on the honor and memory of American heroes

I have to agree here 100%, the 4th of July parades etc now a days seem to honor more of our veterans than it does the reflection of the Revolutionary war, and the comment that Wesley gave – blew me away – Makes me proud to be a Methodist. 

When you try to silence someone’s views because they conflict with your own, than you are the one who is opposed to true freedom. 

I greatly enjoyed your well researched article on the 4th of July and the celebration of an “unjust” war.

While I agree with you that the fight for “Independence” may look sketchy as far as just war theory is concerned, it by no means should govern whether we celebrate the 4th or not.  If you are not proud of your country and do not want to celebrate being an American, by all means do not celebrate! You are free to do that and express your opinion! But I think the 4th is about so much more than just the War of Independence.  It is about a nation that has provided unprecedented opportunity and liberty to many people.

The United States is imperfect, in many ways.  But we as a nation are exceptional in the structure of our government and the spirit of our diverse people.  There is a lot to be grateful for, here in America.

I still celebrate Thanksgiving, even though it could be seen as marking the unjust expulsion of the Native Americans, because I have much to be thankful for.  In the same way, I celebrate the 4th.  Not because of America’s flaws, but because of what makes it great.  Because perhaps if I celebrate the great characteristics of the country and live them out, I can begin to help amend the past wrongs we have committed.

All the defense of the US comments I read here make me feel yucky inside.  I think that the American experiment has caused much more unnecessary suffering than anything else.  Nothing “liberal” about that statement, it’s just a fact.  Read David Walker’s “Appeal, in four articles… to the colored citizens of the world.” Or Frederick Douglass’ “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” or my uncle’s experience of modern slavery in Florida picking oranges and living off of them until his skin turned orange.  Anyone who wants to say that, “Aw, well we just have a few flaws but this is still a great nation that has done wonderful things” or anything like that sentiment hates the truth. 

another attempt at revisionist history…..I suppose you should lead the effort to write letters of apology to England?  Geeeesh, I understand not worshipping the 4th….but you just want to say, “We are bad…we are bad…”  Oh…I’m a United Methodist Preacher….serving to the best of my ability…..so good luck with church planting that apologizes for living were you live as the first statement of your core values.

I am not trying to silence anyone.  He can continue to spew his liberal puck on all of you who hide in the shadows while our sons and daughters lay their lives on the line to give him and you the freedom to hate the very place that you enjoy.  So sit in your air condition homes and drink your iced tea while you turn on the grill this weekend and mock this great country and  the liberty and freedom it stands for.  And I will pray for my son as he stands watch this weekend somewhere in mts. of Afganistain leading his platoon.

“America has remained a beacon of hope and light to people all across the world who live under oppressive governments.” yes, maybe to white Europeans.  It never looked like a beacon of hope” to Africans, Natives or Chinese.  ”Furthermore, America has sent out more Christian missionaries than any other country throughout the world, bringing with them a message of freedom and hope to a spiritually oppressed people, liberating them from Satanic strongholds. ” Frederick Douglass (a slave) had another take on that veiw, let’s listen: “He who is the religious advocate of marriage robs whole millions of its sacred influence, and leaves them to the ravages of wholesale pollution. The warm defender of the sacredness of the family relation is the same that scatters whole families,–sundering husbands and wives, parents and children, sisters and brothers,–leaving the hut vacant, and the hearth desolate. We see the thief preaching against theft, and the adulterer against adultery. We have men sold to build churches, women sold to support the gospel, and babes sold to purchase Bibles for the POOR HEATHEN! ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE GOOD OF SOULS!”  you also wrote, “Now, I want to bless others who didn’t have the privilege of living in a free country. Rather than sinking in the mud and mire of America’s past” of course Greg, let’s look at the torture in Guantanamo bay, our prisons (I believe the statistic is 80% African-American men), The border patrol agents shooting 15 year old straight A kids, the slavery in Florida of migrant workers, the drone plane attacks on weddings in Afghanistan, the 100,000 plus civilian casualties of our war in Iraq, the assassination & torture school at Ft. Benning, NAFTA, Mass pollution and legality of SUVs for personal use, the 153 military bases on foreign soil securing our interests and the exploitation of sweatshop labor overseas.  Greg, I think that what we really need is to find ways to be faithful to our religion before we can think that we have anything to offer the world.  God Bless and enjoy your 4th of July Celebration.

American Heroes are much different than Christian Heroes.  I think that’s where you made the mistake here, friend.  George Washington was an American Hero, John Wesley is a Christian Hero, just like you may say American Soldiers who died in battle are American Hero’s.  Archbishop Oscar Romero who was murdered in home with family because he spoke the truth to power and stood in solidarity with poor and oppressed peoples is a Christian Hero.  Just different, that’s all.

I agree that both John Wesley and the Archbishop are true hero’s of the faith.  I enjoy reading and being challenged by Wesley not just by his words but by his actions.  I really enjoy his letter of encourage he wrote to Wilberforce just a few days before his death, urging Wilberforce on in his work to bring an end to the evil of slavery.

Like I said, Jacob. In all its ugliness and imperfections I celebrate the birthday of our nation. I too cannot reconcile many of our nations actions with my faith nor do I participate in any of these actions. But, I take a little time to honor and celebrate what little good our country has done. This celebration usually consists of the consumption of a couple of hot dogs and a beer with my fellow American friends… from Africa, Mexico, and some European countries.

When one’s true religion is secular socialism, Marxism, Unitarianism, etc., it’s not hard at all to write a revisionist article like this.   Am I not correct??        

Man oh man! Chill. The majority of American’s don’t celebrate the 4th of July to celebrate War. So I guess we are all pro-war now for watching fire works…lol!

Hmm. Celebrating “what little good the US has in its imperfections,” etc. are not what the 4th is about. The 4th is about the independence gained via the Revolutionary War. If one sees a “birthday” as having injustice in it, then don’t celebrate it. If you can’t justify something, don’t support it. Evil cannot be used to bring about good, for then your ethic is contradicted in trying to fulfill it.

“No True Scotsman” fallacy.
Ad hominem fallacy.
Try addressing what he’s saying rather than his character and we could have a respectable and intelligent conversation.

Revisionist history is to rewrite historical actions. This is looking at the actions that occurred, not contradicting those of accepting historical fact. By comparing just war theory as it stands (and not the loose and off-the-cuff formulation) with the Revolutionary War what we have is a judgment of fact, but refuting fact.

Also, ad hominem fallacy.

The Iraq and Afghanistan wars are not discussed in this article. The author doesn’t refute “all wars as unjust,” he/she merely says that this one particular war could not qualify as just.

Troops know that they fight so people can spew whatever they want. A soldier doesn’t have the ability to say “Now if I die, you guys only get to say what I want you to say.” That is the sacrifice they make, and they know this before they are shipped out.

To call the Revolutionary War fighters heroes begs the question of this article, “was it a just war?”

“No True Scotsman” fallacy.

Hasty generalization.

Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear? I listed two major GOOD things amongst many that America has achieved. Like I said, nothing is perfect, including the US. And, you are wrong. July 4th is the celebration of the birth of a nation upon it’s Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. And, I don’t agree with the author (or you). The Revolutionary War was not unjust. Tearing away from tyranny and oppression is what is just.

Yeah the tyranny and oppression of slaveholders?  Thomas Jefferson would rape his slaves for the “double-pleasure” of being able to sell off the illegitimate children for profit.  It doesn’t sound to me like he was very oppressed.  In fact, I can’t buy that any of the founders of the US were oppressed at all.  The British soldiers that were forced to come over here, the poor whites and the slaves were oppressed and none of that changed after the Revolutionary war.  In fact, England abolished both the slave trade and slavery long before the US did.  What it sounds like to me is that the US wanted to be free to oppress in its own terms. 

Isn’t it amazing to watch the term “revisionist” being co-opted by those sympathetic to the state?

Indeed.

Aside from misrepresenting history and shading statistics please let me know what country from creation forward is your example of the more perfect union than the US. Please just pick one and let me know why you choose this one?
You alluded to the Roman Empire is this your idea of a great nation?Or perhaps you want the world to be nationless?Is that your idea of utopia?So what is your idea of utopia? What God shall we all worship?
Do you think everyone will just say “live and let live.”
Perhaps Saudi Arabia and many Middle Eastern countries is your ideal? Where it is illegal to proselytize or worship any god but Allah.
Perhaps some Communist countries where atheism is the state “religion” and worship lands you in jail or dead?

For now nations are part of God’s plan. He never tells us to abandon nationhood.
Instead His plan involves saving men from every tribe and language and people and
nation. Rev 5:9

And if there is no other country you think is better just praise God for the US.If you find another country that you like better, please move there.

If you decide to stay, please remove the scales from your eyes.There is nothing wrong or evil as a Christian in giving thanks to God for one’s nation, especially one like ours where we enjoy such incredible freedom to worship as we choose.

I haven’t read the book that is referenced here and perhaps its arguments are more compelling than those who are reviewing it, but the American Revolution would have happened regardless of slavery, which, by the way, was fueled by the British and their ,
slave ships. N American Christians, particularly those in Boston, were the champions of the anti-slavery movement.  Without their work slavery would have lasted for decades longer than it did.  The US, by virtue of its unique constitution, led the independence movement away from Europe and unlike virtually all the other European colonies created a system of government that has fostered a culture of philanthropy like the world has never known.  We the people of the US have made our share of mistakes.  For these things I too am troubled and confess my sins of omission and commission.  However, I also celebrate the triumph of my imperfect forefathers and mothers who, in the integrity of their heart did what needed to be done to create a new country with greater potential than they could have experienced under England, whose monarchy, like so many other European countries were giving way to more enlightened forms of governments.    O yeah, I celebrate the 4th of July and without reservation.  I am a student of history and am not blind to the greed of those who have gone before me.  No country in history can escape individuals who failed personally or corporately.  King David, experienced the providence of the Lord like few in history yet he and his men were often guilty of gross injustice.  This notwithstanding, he was a “man after God’s own heart.”      The strength of the USA wanes in the growing apathy of its citizens toward He who has given us success, but this does not quench the immeasurable good that has come because of our success and strength.  Perhaps our sins now outweigh the good that we do, the Lord is judge.  But until there is no light, until there is no good, until evil has fully championed our local, state, and national government, as a Christian, I will celebrate with those celebrate and be thankful for a country, born in violent revolution, that gives me the opportunity to live the gospel in a way that can impact the destiny of souls around the world.      Also… disagree w/the statement “guys are stupid.”  Give them chemicals that create combustion and they’re likely to use their God-given creativity to create rockets that will take us to the moon, jet engines to move goods and services to the poor around the world, etc.
   Happy 4th of July!  Tomorrow, I’ll celebrate with my Christian friends the wealth of heritage that we share together as Christian Americans.  At the end of the month, I will travel to a country in S.E. Africa where the government has virtually destroyed the economy and while proclaiming equality has inflicted its citizens with harsh governmental controls resulting in starvation, epidemics, and 95% unemployment.  There, citizens of the USA are still free to travel and bring hope, resources, and their Christian faith. 
   Today, I bowed my knees corporately with my church to confess our sins as individuals and the sins of our nation.  Tomorrow, I will rejoice that “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.”  & “As far as the east is from the west…”

“… please let me know what country from creation forward is your example of the more perfect union than the US.”  Sigh*…

Well, there are a few countries out there that didn’t always get it right  from the start but  are pretty great places to live today: Canada, Australia, the UK, France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, etc.

Flawed? Certainly. However, these countries also enjoy democratic elections and considerable freedoms. 

Why is it always everything or nothing? Can’t we 
- put God first, people second and nation third
- enjoy the privileges of living in our own country and be grateful
- see the very real problems that exist and work towards solving them

all at the same time?

I am not American and struggle with nationalism in all countries including my own. As a christian I am part of the family of God, a follower of Jesus, this means that regardless of the government which rules me, whether they are of the same nationality as me or not is irrelevant, what matters is does that governemnt uphold the principles that Jesus spoke about. I don’t know any in the world that consistently do that so why would I celebrate the birth of yet another society focused on its own glorification?

[...] Kurt Willems explains why he does not celebrate independence day. [...]

I wrote about American Jesus a little while back, if anyone’s interested (bored).

http://tumblr.com/xle2wqpoag

“Let me ask this: Is it possible that America needs to change in our militarism? Are we so arrogant as to think that our “success” as a nation justifies the means of getting here? Do we really think that our abundance is simply a blessing from God and not something we’ve snatched on the backs of those we’ve beaten into submission?”  Great questions to reflect on!

Thanks, man!

I think what you say is good: “God first, people second and nation third”
But we have to remember there are several nations that won’t allow the worship of any God or another God.
I believe it is fitting to remember the freedoms that were fought for in declaring our independence.
We no longer had a state-church.  We were free to worship as we wished.
I never put my nation first in my priorities.  But I have no qualms about saying the principles my nation is founded on are worth dying to defend. 
For me specifically, the freedom not just for me to worship as I see but to allow others the freedom to worship the way they deem best.

The list of countries you list above is good.  They however, all have limits on their freedoms.  Are founding documents certainly allow for the greatest freedom.  The truth is however, our freedoms are fast eroding because of our lack of diligence to preserve those freedoms.  Not many people even begin to comprehend what was one via our independence, and how quickly it can all be lost.

Besides Willem’s claim above that: “Most historians agree that the Revolution was a ‘tax revolt, first and foremost’,”  is patently absurd.  A few “historians” sure, but most, no.

correction 2nd to last paragraph “what was won” not “what was one”.
sorry past midnight and I am sure I made other typos, but I think my point is clear.

Mr. Williams, Where do I begin to express my swelling anger regarding your “slam” on our Independence Day celebration. I might well mind you that you, and I, may well see another revolt in the near future as continued “forced” legislation and a president “out of control” in his policies, and actions may ignite the very base of this country who have had enough.
The establishment of America was not only about taxes and as for your reference to the Israelites “What say Ye about God’s call for the anhialation of men, women and children who happened to occupy the promised land?”
There are many things that this country has done wrong….One of which would be the allowance of its citizens to speak as you have. I will again be vey frank with you as I have with many on this liberal site. If you dont like it here then no one is keeping you. Dont sit over here and bask in the greatest free society in the world and complain about how it was formed. If you dont like the history then find a country that you do like. However Ive seen your type too much lately which are the somewhat educated liberal pompass thinktanks that would never be satisfied with anything and are always looking to display their dissent in order to portray the appearance of intelligence. Its time for the Anti-American mindset to EXIT this county…and that includes our president and his wife. People like you are a problem and only add to the futher confusion of our young people who are bombarded with JUNK like your aticle. While slavery was bad it was their own people who sold them. There have been many other nations who have and still have slaves only THIS country corrected its ways, lost many WHITE citizens, and gave the status to blacks that they deserved. 
Since you point out sins of the past where are you on sins of the present?? What are you doing about the sex trade industry?? Where is your outrage when a young teenage boy or girl is abducted and turned into a drug addicted whore?? This is a ‘real and present danger’ but yet hardly gets any attention from people especially when they can read about ’bashing’  a great nation and mention slavery to get all the “reparation whites” to stand and be counted. Old arguement and frankly America is tired of it.
If you dont like the Independence Day celebration then by all means celebrate something else or just choose not to do anything but do me a favor…..Dont corrupt your children with this kind of garbage. They are being inundated with garbage every day and I would hope that you could find SOMETHING WORSE THAN THE FOURTH OF JULY

Mr. Williams, Where do I begin to express my swelling anger regarding your “slam” on our Independence Day celebration. I might well mind you that you, and I, may well see another revolt in the near future as continued “forced” legislation and a president “out of control” in his policies, and actions may ignite the very base of this country who have had enough.
The establishment of America was not only about taxes and as for your reference to the Israelites “What say Ye about God’s call for the anhialation of men, women and children who happened to occupy the promised land?”
There are many things that this country has done wrong….One of which would be the allowance of its citizens to speak as you have. I will again be vey frank with you as I have with many on this liberal site. If you dont like it here then no one is keeping you. Dont sit over here and bask in the greatest free society in the world and complain about how it was formed. If you dont like the history then find a country that you do like. However Ive seen your type too much lately which are the somewhat educated liberal pompass thinktanks that would never be satisfied with anything and are always looking to display their dissent in order to portray the appearance of intelligence. Its time for the Anti-American mindset to EXIT this county…and that includes our president and his wife. People like you are a problem and only add to the futher confusion of our young people who are bombarded with JUNK like your aticle. While slavery was bad it was their own people who sold them. There have been many other nations who have and still have slaves only THIS country corrected its ways, lost many WHITE citizens, and gave the status to blacks that they deserved. 
Since you point out sins of the past where are you on sins of the present?? What are you doing about the sex trade industry?? Where is your outrage when a young teenage boy or girl is abducted and turned into a drug addicted whore?? This is a ‘real and present danger’ but yet hardly gets any attention from people especially when they can read about ’bashing’  a great nation and mention slavery to get all the “reparation whites” to stand and be counted. Old arguement and frankly America is tired of it.
If you dont like the Independence Day celebration then by all means celebrate something else or just choose not to do anything but do me a favor…..Dont corrupt your children with this kind of garbage. They are being inundated with garbage every day and I would hope that you could find SOMETHING WORSE THAN THE FOURTH OF JULY

Jacob, Greg is “spot on” with his rebuttle to this article and you, my friend, have some real issues that Im not quite sure where you are coming from. You just happen to have a US birth certificate? Wow thats spoken like a true Anti-Ameican. Do you, or anyone else who esposes this kind of nonsense, really think that there exists a society where perfection is their mission statement?? All of the instances you quoted are YOUR opinion and I dont have any problem at all being proud of this country. So you need perfection to have allegience??  Then you might as well slit your wrist now and start your journey to the only place your will find it. Your whole twisted, non logical, petty arguement is proved by your pitiful complaint about SUV’s….for goodness sake son get a grip. Your worn out slavery expose is old too along with your example of a 15 year old shot at the border…..Guess what..If I wake up and find someone in my house illegally Im going to end their life too….Wow that makes your liberal skin crawl huh…The border is out of control and Im sure that if you lived there and found yourself with illegals breaking into your home you would defend it…..Or would you wimp out and let them kill your family??? I sure am glad that America was founded with real men and that the present effimination of males wasnt present back then and when we were attacked we they didint have your mindset…..Jesus wasnt a wimp and he doesnt require it of you.

Holy smokes. I can understand some people taking issue with Kurt Willems’ and Jacob Michaels’ views and passionately putting their own points across. However, I find the level of vitriol quite unsettling given that this is, supposedly, a discussion among red letter Christians. It also seems to me that some of the bloggers who are responding to Willems’ and Michaels’ posts so vehemently come close to inhabiting that area where faith and patriotism become virtually indistinguishable and ending up proving the points of the more “liberal” bloggers. 

[...] Red Letter Christians » Just Jesus and Unjust July 4th – Why I Don’t Celebrate Independence Day [...]