God or Country first?

or; the conundrum continues.

Published on June 18, 2007 By SanChonino In Religion

I recently read a letter in the Reader's Forum of a local newspaper, The Salt Lake Tribune. The author of this particular piece was specifically talking about Mitt Romney, criticizing him for saying that he and his family are patriotic when his sons, rather than serve in the military (which I guess, according to the author, is the only true way to be a patriot), served as missionaries for the LDS church for two years. He further stated that "country should be placed before God".

That didn't quite jibe with what I've always felt, at least in my own life. my priorities are the opposite of this mans - as has been discussed in other articles on this site, I'm a child of God first, and an American second. But that doesn't make me unpatriotic, does it? Simply because I place God higher on the list than the US of A means that I'm not patriotic?

So, JU, what is your thinking? What comes first - God or your country? Can you still be patriotic if you put your creator before your country, or, as the writer of the letter stated, are you somehow less-than-patriotic for your thinking that way?

Comments (Page 2)

Shovelheat

on Jun 18, 2007

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and say country first.

I would qualify this by stating I only feel this way because of what our country IS, a place where ALL can freely worship the God of their choosing, or not worship at all.

If our predominantly Christian nation truly put God first, the entire country would have to shut down on Sunday, divorce would be impossible to obtain, the Ten Commandments would be posted in every public building, and homosexuality would be punishable by death.

It is only due to our ability to separate religious belief from public law that those of you who DO worship are able to do so in relative peace, so in these circumstances I think we put country first, and always have, no matter how much lip service we pay to the notion of putting God first.

Sounds like the old which-came-first-the-chicken-or-the-egg thing to me Whip! But you do make a very valid point.

WWW Link

foreverserenity

on Jun 18, 2007

So it would not be loyal to say God first then Country later? Because for most Christians it is that way. How can you serve your country if you don't know who your God is?

lulapilgrim

on Jun 18, 2007

LW POSTS:

ALL can freely worship the God of their choosing, or not worship at all.

I understand the basic premise of what your'e saying, but think it's flawed. Why because it's based on individual liberty. And there is no absolute liberty in this country. Liberty always implies relative restriction. If I am free from truth, I am subject to error. If free from virtue, subject to vice.

When God revealed His Law, that revelation took away my liberty to do what the law forbade. As you pointed out, His law takes away the liberty of divorce, etc. The US gives its citizens the liberty to have it. That is the liberty of the devil and refusal of submission to GOd. We must choose which liberty we will have. Some have chosen that liberty from God and going full circle and getting back to your playing devil's advocate.

jennifer1

on Jun 18, 2007

Good article SanChon.

My first instinct is to say country first, I say this looking at the Muslim fanatics angle, with them in mind fanatical religion is dangerous.

When it comes to more peaceful religions (is there such a thing? but you get what I mean) such as Christianity, Buddhism, Spiritualism etc. Then I say God first, country second.

If it came to Islam forcing Britain to its knees, conquering us, forcing woman to wear veils etc, the I say country first and fight like hell to destroy the enemy and their religion.

Peace time - God first - war times - country first.

So for me it has two answers, it depends on the situation.

Locamama

on Jun 18, 2007

I think everyone should be a Chaplain in the military and serve both God and country. I don't know why people always have to judge other's choices. Personally, I would rather run for office if I didn't have any kids because then you don't have to answer all the asinine "what if your child did this, what would you do then" questions.

What I find most interesting, though, is the venom so many folks have for us - Mormons. There is this pervasive idea that we are not "real" christians, and that we believe in a 'different" Jesus Christ.

It's probably because of the magic underwear and stuff. That's a joke. I couldn't help myself. I have heard about magic underwear on TV several times since Mitt announced. I also heard that the "real" Mormon's were upset that Mitt condemned polygamy because they believe that was a vital part of their church history.

Locamama

on Jun 18, 2007

double post deleted

Jythier

on Jun 18, 2007

God first. God will tell me how best to relate to my country.

Texas Wahine

on Jun 18, 2007

Heh, as an agnostic, I say country first.

Actually, though, I'd say family is first, but serving country is also serving family so that works out nicely.

Gene Nash

on Jun 18, 2007

God.

(And joining a country's army isn't the only way to be a warrior.)

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Jun 18, 2007

God first. God will tell me how best to relate to my country.

ya, why not go to the one with all the wisdom in the first place? Makes sense.

God.

(And joining a country's army isn't the only way to be a warrior.)

yep....the battle belongs to the Lord anyhow.

Onward Christian Soldiers

MasonM

on Jun 18, 2007

My battle cry is the same as MM's.

amandapearl2

on Jun 18, 2007

hey san c, I have nothing new to add, but WAY TO GO on being featured! lol that's exciting.

amandapearl2

on Jun 18, 2007

rabble rabble! (angry mob sound). double post

lulapilgrim

on Jun 18, 2007

Gene NashJune 18, 2007 22:16:48Reply #25
God.

(And joining a country's army isn't the only way to be a warrior.)

This is true, I'm feeling patriotic just reading this stuff.

Yellow Sign

on Jun 19, 2007

Well, I am an atheist, so for me it's conscience first, than country.

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