Over the course of the last year, the idea that nativist/nationalist tendencies were the motivation for a large group of people was an argument that I was aware of. However, that awareness was academic in nature. Just as I am similarly aware of both General and Special Relativity, my understanding does not include any specific awareness of how relativity intersects my life; though, I am sure someone reading this could explain that to me.
That all changed today when someone in my circle of influence began to speak of that exact sentiment. The most shocking thing was that there was no nuance or attempt to soften the language. They just specifically said, "America First! We should take care of our family before we help anyone else." Seeing as how I know this person quiet well, I was too shocked to respond. Instead I sat there, mouth agape, as their thoughts were broadcast. I felt sadness and betrayal because I thought I knew them better than that. In truth, they probably know me better than I know them.
It got me to thinking about the idea of nationalism as it has been preached by Christians throughout my lifetime. When I was much younger, I didn't give much thought to those who talked about America being a Christian nation. It was because I agreed with them, mostly because my sphere of experience was small and knowledge was small. Now, when I see it written or hear it preached from a pulpit I cringe. Not because I am angry that they are misrepresenting the faith I share with them, though they are. Instead, it is because in such statements there is very little that says they are trying to hear a voice that might be different from their own.
What do Christians from other parts of the world think when you say that America is special because of our faith?
What do those who are not Christians, but still Americans, think when you say that this nation does not see them as equal to Christians?
What do people who are neither Christian nor American feel when you say that our God has made a special, geographical place for us that they may never be able to participate in?
I know that when I hear it, I feel cheated that my faith has been boiled down to a tribalistic religion reserved for people who look a certain way, speak with a certain accent, and live in a particular place. It took years for me to reach a point where I could imagine a world beyond what I could see, and just as long to conceive that my faith could possibly be bigger than my imagination. As a stereotypical representative of white, middle-class, male, straight, cisgendered America, I know that change is not easy, nor is it quick. However, I don't believe for an instant that where we are is where we are supposed to be.
In the first chapter of the first book of the Hebrew Bible, the text says:
"Then God said, 'Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness'"
And I feel it is incredibly important that we remember this for no other reason than that the text says "humankind." It doesn't say "Americans," or "white people," or "those living in the western hemisphere's northern continent." When I hear Christians talk about "America first" right after they speak of how God has blessed our country, I feel as if I am listening to music where the orchestra is playing horribly out of tune. The dissonance of placing God with country with first are a triad of things that do not go together.
In three days from this writing, we will be marking another celebration of the birth of our Savior. A Savior that was born in the Middle East, to Middle Eastern parents, speaking a different language, on a different continent. In just over a week from this writing, we will be kicking off a New Year where we again remember the ministry of that Savior that go from "Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Just take some time to meditate on that when you hear the preacher or political commentator talk about "America First."
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