Jean,+Sarah,+Alex+and+Shana+Connections

=Making Connections: Our Perspective on What We've Read=




 * What Did You Learn That Was New?**

One thing I learned through reading Huntington’s book was that most Americans know more about American media than about their country. I think this is a dangerous place to be because it means TV and magazines are the places we are getting the majority of our information, and much of the information given in the media is not as accurate as an actual text book or historian. I know that, as a student in grade school, I did not learn as much about America as I should have. I feel that it is important for Americans to learn about America so that we can have a better understanding of the country we live in and understand how it works. To learn more about our country, we can make time to watch the history channel or the news, or read a book about America’s history. I also learned that some countries debate about whether or not they should allow dual citizenship. I can understand how some counties believe that people should not be allowed to have dual citizenship since dual citizens show less dedication to their home country and become more dedicated to a different country. I feel that, if I was an immigrant and wanted become a citizen of a new country, I would still want to remain a citizen of my home country so I could still be part of it. Some countries do not want to allow dual citizenship because they want citizens who are fully dedicated to their country. I think America also wants loyal and dedicated citizens, but America also wants people to have the freedom to choose which country, or countries, they want to dedicate themselves to.

U.S. Immigration Support Website

Throughout his book, “Who Are We?” Huntington describes America as Anglo –Protestant. There is a whole chapter dedicated to how “Christianized” the American culture has become. He uses statistics that point out how our main religion, Christianity, has sustained throughout American history. The statistics say that 80 percent to 85 percent of Americans identify themselves as Christians. Huntington says that Americans overwhelmingly affirm religious beliefs. Throughout the years, Americans have consistently proven in the polls that they believe in God and that they attend church. The other issues that have been polled include believing if the Bible is God breathed or not, or believing in life after death. The percentages for these two questions were low compared to how many Americans believed they were Christians.
 * Is There Anything You Disagree With?**

In order to properly look at this issue, the term “Christian” must be defined. The everyman definition defines being a Christians as a person who believes in Jesus Christ and adheres to his teachings. That’s just it, Americans have a skewed view of Christianity. Yes, America is rich in Christian heritage and culture but the modern day American Christian does not know the true meaning of that label, or maybe they do and they choose to ignore it. America has manipulated the gospel to blend it in with its culture.

To be a Christian means to follow Christ. Modern America consists of society wanting bigger, better, and more of everything. Christ taught the exact opposite. A relationship with Christ requires total and complete devotion. Living in America makes complete devotion to anything difficult, let alone someone who is not in the flesh. In Luke 9, Jesus makes it clear and simple. If one chooses to follow him, they abandon everything—needs, desires, even family. Christians in America have begun to mold Christ into something that looks like them. Jesus is formed into the American image. He is made to fit into our lives rather than us changing to fit into his.

Christians must commit to obey and believe everything Jesus commands. This has become something that is very difficult to do. Living in America, everyone is chasing the “dream.” Whatever that is, the dream of fame, fortune, health, a long life, a happy family perhaps but all of these dreams are earthly. They are eventually going o fade away. Being a Christian is not easy. It is hard. It means saying no to the things of this world, abandoning everything, taking up your cross and following God.

This type of living has not been overwhelmingly noticeable in the United States. If Christians were as prevalent as Huntington describes, America’s culture would be completely different. Many do not understand what the term Christian really entails and I do not think that a simple poll can manage to do that either.

While our country was founded upon Christianity, our society has essentially carried on those Christian values set before us and left behind the actual religion. Our culture has, therefore, manipulated the gospel to fit our personal desires. While reading the bible, we weigh God’s commandments differently and only live out those which appeal to us or are easy to follow. For example, two of the Lord’s ten commandments are “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vein,” and “Yo﻿u shall not murder.” While at first glance, it may seem that one is more severe than the other, the Lord calls us to adhere to all of his commandments. However, society has conformed these rules as guidelines that can be broken. It is clear that mainstream society accepts sayings such as, “Oh my God” as acceptable, yet if someone kills another person, their lives are made miserable with punishment and isolation. The message has been manipulated to fit what America wants; what is convenient, and what we feel like doing. As Christians, it’s important that we try to adhere to all of God’s commandments, which is not always easy, but we must always do our best. As Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” This strengthens our faith because we adhere to all of what God tells us, not just the easy and convenient things. As a result, we are brought closer to God as we make the conscious decision to live for him, and not for this world. While there are trials and tribulations, God allows us to go through them so that we can become closer with him.

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