I was so saddened by what I saw in the church today (4th of July). I don't think I'll go there again. It is a big church in San Diego, affiliated with SBC.
The "sermon" was about John Adams and some other founders and the music, apart from "The battle hymn of Republic", had nothing to do with Christianity. You know, the "America, the beautiful", and "This land is my land" kind of songs. They even sang "Lean on me"!!
The close friends I was with "explained" to me "once you'll become an American you'll understand". And that it was actually a thanksgiving to God.
But what I saw there was not a thanksgiving to God, nor did it have God as the central point. It was a celebration of America, the flag, the pioneer spirit, the freedom, founding fathers, soldiers, war veterans, etc.
For me, it was no difference to how non-Christians celebrate 4th of July (I mean in church). They mentioned God, and they prayed as I'm sure they usually do, but apart from that, it was like a parade on the street.
Disclaimer: I do believe America is a great (even the greatest) country, that we owe the founding fathers a lot, also the soldiers and veterans. But did all of this have to be in church?
The "sermon" was about John Adams and some other founders and the music, apart from "The battle hymn of Republic", had nothing to do with Christianity. You know, the "America, the beautiful", and "This land is my land" kind of songs. They even sang "Lean on me"!!
The close friends I was with "explained" to me "once you'll become an American you'll understand". And that it was actually a thanksgiving to God.
But what I saw there was not a thanksgiving to God, nor did it have God as the central point. It was a celebration of America, the flag, the pioneer spirit, the freedom, founding fathers, soldiers, war veterans, etc.
For me, it was no difference to how non-Christians celebrate 4th of July (I mean in church). They mentioned God, and they prayed as I'm sure they usually do, but apart from that, it was like a parade on the street.
Disclaimer: I do believe America is a great (even the greatest) country, that we owe the founding fathers a lot, also the soldiers and veterans. But did all of this have to be in church?