More on the Christian Patriot

I started reading a new book last week, New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson.  I had purchased the book as a Christmas present for Nora, after reading an excerpt from it in one of last year's Lapham's Quarterlys. 

I am still surprised by how much pleasure I get from reading.  When I first crack open a new book, or in this case, a softer crack as it is a paperback, I feel a surge of energy.  A hopefulness one might say.  A new book gives me something to look forward to, as I delve into someone else's mind, someone I will likely never meet, yet will discover umpteen things about, through reading their words, even if those words are fiction.  I guess I feel that even in fiction, a person is revealed.  Glimpses of their mind, glimpses of their fears, glimpses of whether their idea of the future is dystopian, or Utopian or somewhere in between. 

And yes, I guess it is also an escape.  A way to enter another world, should one's own be a bit routine, a bit unfulfilling, a bit just OK.  But also, it inspires me.  To know that you can concoct a world out of one's imagination and experiences, record it on paper or within a computer, place it within a bound book or in the cloud for others to read, should they choose to, and for just those moments, create a small bridge between two people, the writer and reader.  When I read, it reminds me that I might also, occasionally, create that bridge when I post on this blog.  Perhaps even inspire, if I use the right words, and convey my thoughts with sincerity.

Reading is Fundamental is an organization founded in 1966 with its purpose to improve literacy rates in America and in the world, but also to emphasize the word Fun, within the word Fundamental.  I know I was already reading by 1966, and have found it to be both fun and fundamental.  I can't imagine my world without the magazines, books, and other various reading material which I enjoy.  I would think it might be much darker, without the light provided by other people's imagination, research, story telling, and love of communication. 

Reading also reminds me of the power of words to create hope and fear and the responsibility of the writer to respect that power.  To be responsible in its use.  It is far too easy to write (or say, for that matter), what will make one popular, or rich, or influential regardless of whether one's writings are true to the nature of the writer, or true to facts.  Irresponsible writing is rampant in our culture, fueled by the 24/7 media cycle, the proliferation of social media, and the lack of discriminatory listening on the part of us, the audience. 

Subtlety and innuendo as the tools of an effective writer seem to have been replaced by in your face tirades and direct insults and slander.  And, while I too blame the sources of these irresponsible words, we, the readers, are also responsible for swallowing any words that agree with our prejudices, fact based or not, and by replacing our own sense of right or wrong with the tribal equivalent of circling the wagons, and treating everyone outside that circle as an enemy.

Which brings me, sadly, back to that survey which I received in the mail last week and referred to in my last post.  It is impossible for me to know if the source of that survey are people who truly believe the information they imparted.  I know there are Christians who believe that information, as the results of the most recent presidential election show that among those calling themselves evangelical Christians, they voted heavily in favor of GOP candidates, and especially President Trump.  I do know, however, that there are many leaders of such groups who convey such messages as a way to gain money and power.  They feed the flock what will best frighten them, knowing that due to that fear they will donate money and vote a certain way.  Through those words, these leaders become wealthy and influential, and since we (as a nation) do not scale our admiration for the wealthy and powerful by evaluating how they achieve those goals, they are able to double down on their methods, and their rewards.

I am fortunate enough to know many Christians who live the spirit of the teachings of Jesus.  One is my mother, who spent her entire life as an example of being kind to others, helping others, treating others as she would want to be treated.  Even today, at her advanced age of 85, she spends a considerable amount of her time with family and friends that might need a ride to the store or a visit on a cold dreary afternoon.  She is not perfect, but she tries to be her best per the words of the New Testament.  So often, it seems that those who use the Bible to justify their actions quote the Old Testament, as if the life of Jesus, and his new words never happened.

Yet, I don't consider my mom to be a Christian Patriot, at least not as portrayed in that survey.  She does not believe the half truths and lies that abound in its words, but is as Christian a person as I have been blessed to know.  While we may disagree on dogma which is really man's version of what he thinks God meant, I default to her example when it comes to putting words to action, and living as Jesus has instructed us to live. 

There is a danger in words such as those I've described in that survey.  An especially serious danger when treating others inhumanely, is considered a Christian act.  A danger when using lies to confuse the masses leads to the election of people who are cafeteria Christians at best, selfish, narcissistic, and in many ways, haters of the masses, at worst.  They work to create chaos through fueling prejudice, xenophobia, and fear of anyone who looks different than the image in our mirror, worships at a church with a different shape and different rituals, or chooses to love others who are not whom we might choose to love.  And, to make matters worse, they do all that as a way to distract those who succumb to their plots, from the real goal of their efforts, unlimited wealth and power. 

In some ways, it is pretty easy to tell if someone is working for God or for themselves.   Compare their actions to the lessons from the Sermon on the Mount.  When their words or deeds differ from the lessons given to us by Jesus, when they treat the poor with disdain, seek riches and fame, create chaos rather than peace, boast endlessly rather than share accolades with all those involved, surround themselves with those who agree with their beliefs rather than with those who seek truth, when their public words are in direct contrast to their private conversations, it is clear that they do not work for God.  I published a barely read short book about the subject called An Atheist for Christ.  (See link below)

https://www.amazon.com/Atheist-Christ-Joe-Pugnetti-ebook/dp/B00TT3YLHW

As portrayed in that survey, the phrase Christian Patriot seems an oxymoron without peer.  By advocating the dehumanization of those considered our "enemies", and those merely seeking a better life for themselves and their families, and by gleefully supporting a military that is used to wreck havoc in the world through illegal invasions and covert operations, which are generally supported by those more interested in gaining power and stealing resources, they are not Christian.  And, by supporting policies which flame the growing income inequality problem, which attempt to create a theocracy rather than democracy, and which empower those with more to take advantage of those with less, they are neither Christians or Patriots.

I am far from perfect.  I do not attend church regularly.  I believe abortion is a poor way to control our population problem, but support a women's right to make that very difficult decision.  I sometimes treat others in a condescending manner, using what I believe is my above average intelligence as a club against their lack of thinking.  I still struggle with the idea that Jesus was the Son of God, but revere Him as a messenger of hope and love.  I do not think that God will save us from ourselves, and that if we don't get our act together soon in regards to climate change, we will create a very difficult world for the next few generations to survive in, let alone thrive in.  I too often take for granted those I say I love the most.  I don't clean the kitty litter enough, or the toilets, or the stove top.  I would never call myself a Christian Patriot as defined by that survey, but believe I am on track to go to heaven, should their actually be such a place, and I love America and what is stands for even though I am saddened on a daily basis by what we do, as a country, to each other and to others in the world.  I am selfish, yet do my best to provide my family with love, opportunity, and support. 

I am all things bad and good, judgmental when I see things that seem horrific, yet aghast at those who judge me for what they perceive as my shortcomings.  I believe in Karma, well more like hope for its circular sense of justice, in this world or the next, yet am not fully sure if there is such a place.  My recent thought is that your essence lives forever with the knowledge that your life was graded as good or bad, and that is in itself, heaven or hell.  The eternal knowledge that you were a good person or an asshole but I guess that is how a self-described intellectual might think.

For now, I have off from work this week.  I will finish New York 2140, and perhaps post about it later in the week.  I will check off some items on the honey-do list, I will stop by work to help train a new manager on a particular task she has not performed, I will attempt to have a reasonably nutritious dinner waiting for Nora when she comes home from work, I will watch some NHL and NBA playoff action, I will get the car's oil changed, I will get an estimate for a new kitchen and mudroom and powder room floor, and I will think, a bit, about what I want to do when I grow up.  I might even consider whether it is possible that I am a Christian Patriot.  Wouldn't that be a kick in the head?