IN THEORY:Does God really favor Americans?

A new survey of American religious beliefs reportedly finds that one out of five Americans believe God favors the United States in worldly affairs. Among those Americans, the Baylor University study also reportedly found that more Republicans — four times as many — than Democrats believe God favors the U.S. What do you think?

It is always a dangerous prospect (not to mention idolatrous) to think that God favors “us” over “them.” The Hebrew prophets of old were aware of this danger, and they urged their listeners not to assume any specialness simply because God had chosen Israel.

In fact, Isaiah, in chapter 49, verse 6, says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; (rather) I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

What this passage says to me is that to those who are given much (i.e., chosen), much is expected. To be chosen does not mean that one is in line for a bunch of perks; to be chosen means to be held to a higher standard. God has indeed showered America with many blessings; Katherine Lee Bates said as much when she wrote the words to the hymn “America, the Beautiful.” But that doesn’t mean we’re home free as far as God is concerned.

I’m reminded of the story about Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. He reportedly received a letter from somebody who told the president that she hoped God was on our side. Lincoln’s answer to her was that he wasn’t worried if God was on our side; his worry was that he hoped we were on God’s side. It really is a scary thing to assume that God is on our side, whether it’s the current conflagration in Iraq or a conflict someplace else. Again, from Isaiah comes the idea that God — our God — might have the audacity to spank us by using a bitter enemy to mete out punishment.

Chapter 10, verse 5, says, “Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger — the club in their hands is my fury!” Certainly God loved and loves Israel, and certainly God has blessed the United States. But that doesn’t mean we’re off the hook. We still need to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).

THE REV. C.L. “SKIP” LINDEMAN

Congregational Church of the Lighted Window

United Church of Christ

La Cañada Flintridge

As interesting as the survey results are, the most important and practical question is not whether God favors the U.S. Rather, it is, does the U.S. favor God?

God is impartial. He is not a “respecter of persons” in the sense of unfair favoritism. Yes, He chooses, saves and has mercy on whomever He wills. But the Bible also teaches that “…. God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him.” (Acts 10:34-35). I believe such welcome and favor applies to nations as well as individuals, for “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord “ (Psalm 33:12).

When Joshua the General met the extraordinary man with a drawn sword he asked him, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” The man, whom I believe was the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus, responded: “No, rather I indeed come now as captain of the host (or, army) of the Lord.” Joshua’s response was to bow with his face to the earth, asking, “What has my lord to say to his servant?” (Joshua 5:13-14).

As a nation beset by international conflict, we’d be wise to ask that same question.

PASTOR JON BARTA

Valley Baptist Church

Burbank

Now, I am not saying that the Baylor University study is biased. But who is surprised that a study performed by this Baptistsupported institution found that God favors Republicans and that God favors the United States of America?

To be just a tad flippant, I believe God can best be described as being an independent. God takes no sides. God is for all of us and encourages us to live up to our potential as good and decent human beings.

The Old Testament, written by Jewish men, states that God favors the Jewish race. No one is surprised by this. I find nothing in the New Testament to indicate God has any preferences among nations or among political parties. Such thinking as God favoring Americans and Republicans is too ridiculous to contemplate.

So who is making all these ridiculous claims of celestial favoritism? Almost always, such ideas originate with ultra-right conservative Republicans. Again, who is surprised?

Everyone, and particularly conservative Christian leaders, should understand that God is neither for us nor against us but always with us, always encouraging us to come up higher in understanding, love and acceptance of those who may be somehow different from ourselves.

THE REV. THOMAS E. WITHERSPOON

Unity Church of the Valley

La Crescenta

It is human nature to favor one’s own kind, and to set the standard of goodness and normality by the comfortable familiarity of one’s own nationality.

For many believers, this mind set extends to an assumption that God favors their nation as well, that He even takes their side in wars. Bahá’ís, and many people of other faiths, believe that mankind is one, and that God cares for all peoples and races with equal and abundant love. He no more favors one nation over another than a loving parent favors one child over another. He may however, like a fair parent, have different expectations for each child, according to their maturity, capacities, levels of responsibility and proven performance.

Late in the 19th Century, Bahá’u’lláh addressed each of the world’s rulers and leaders, exhorting them to recognize God’s supreme reign and to govern with compassion. Special direction was given by Him, and later by His son, to the rulers and peoples of each continent, each according to their gifts and needs. America, in particular, was charged with the mission of bringing a corrective and healing influence to bear upon the injustices perpetrated by tyranny in the world. A prayer revealed for America asks that “this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees, even as it has aspired to material degrees,” and that we become able to “upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity.” In this sense, the United States has been given special responsibilities by God, but this must not be confused with divine favoritism.

Like any child of a wise and guiding parent, the onus is upon us to prove ourselves worthy of trust. America can strive to be a spiritual leader in the world, with qualities of humility and fairness, or she can sink to depths of immorality, at home as well as in the international arena, with pride and a misguided sense of superiority her guiding forces.

BARBARA CRAMER

Secretary

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Glendale

We Christians believe that God is the creator of all things visible and invisible. How God guides creation and influences our world is a mystery. Perhaps the words of William Cowper (1774) in a Lutheran hymn, “Light Shining Out of Darkness,” say it best:

“God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

Blind unbelief is sure to err

And scan His work in vain;

God is His own Interpreter,

And He will make it plain.”

It’s not yet plain what part we play in God’s mysterious plan. We know he uses humans to do his will. God motivates people and they motivate others. We can recall in our own lives the people who have influenced us.

In the Old Testament we can see God’s hand in salvation history. God forms a people, Israel, and establishes a covenant with them. When they violate the covenant God uses the Assyrians to punish them. When they repent, he uses King Cyrus to release them and return them to Jerusalem and even to help them rebuild the temple. (Ezra 1:1-4)

Whose side is God on? The question is too complex to answer. We know that “God is Love” and that he wants to see his love in each one of us. Perhaps God is using the terrorists to make us rethink who we really are, and to make us appreciate our Christian heritage and the freedom it gives us.

REV. GENE FRILOT

Pastor Emeritus

Incarnation Catholic Church

Around the world, Jewish communities are now celebrating the 10-day period between the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. A central theme during this time is justice.

Our prayers contain many references to a just God who views all of humanity equally, and who judges people and nations based on their merit.

I don’t feel that God favors one country over another. I do, however, believe God favors countries whose citizens and elected officials are morally upstanding and pursue justice. The sad truth is that a majority of countries deny their people basic human rights. Many countries don’t tolerate free expression, and many persecute those who try to worship in their own way.

Most countries in the Middle East treat women as second-class citizens, denying them the right to vote and disregarding domestic abuse. Just last week at the United Nations, one pompous dictator after another tried to rationalize horrendous human rights violations and the pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.

Looking at the world around us, the United States stands as a shining example of democracy, human decency and pursuit of righteousness. Our nation is not perfect — and we, its citizens, must continually work to make it better. Nevertheless, we live in a blessed country, which strives to provide equality, liberty and justice to its population regardless of race, color or creed.

Tomorrow evening, as the sun sets and we begin celebrating Yom Kippur — the holiest day on the Jewish calendar — my congregation will recite special prayers for the preservation of our great country, its people and its government. May God bless America — and may we continue to be worthy of those blessings.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad Jewish Center