Replies then onward

I think much of what you've said about Americans and other countries comes down not to an abstract comparison or even a comparison taught in schools, but down to our very shameful ignorance about other countries. Our school system is BAD, terrible, awful. I was a good student and have a BA, and I *know* I'm terribly ignorant about so very much. We don't study other countries' CURRENT policies outside of college, for example.

It's one of those things... you only hear about countries that don't have a democratic system or freedom of speech (ie China) and then if you don't add to that knowledge, somehow you slip into thinking we're the only bastion of freedom and liberty. Certainly that idea is pushed and has been pushed into our subconsciousnesses here in the States. Not that we're the only ones with liberty, but we're the only ones who will fight for it (which is silly/ignorant).

I think you may be convincing me that liberty is an idol worshipped here in the States. Hm... very possibly. Sigh. We have enough idols to go around, we reallllly didn't need another one.

As for the Founding Fathers creating a theocracy - I don't think anyone thinks that who thinks about it.

Thesis 18: Now we have something. I agree that no worldly government can grant or deny liberty - but I think the Founding Fathers were acknowledging that when they set up the gov't as they did. Eventually if we're left here (or the ones who convert after we leave) will be free to worship in truth or free to die... just as they are in countries with no official freedom at all. Freedom and liberty are intrinsic - and Christ frees us from the bonds of sin and death, after which who can chain us?

I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be "repenting" in these Theses. Making an idol out of personal liberty? National pride? Patriotism? Some vague sin of the Unites States as a whole? I know there is a time and place for corporate prayer and repentance as a whole, but ... I dunno. This seems odd to me. What do you think of that? Does America need to repent for one of those things?