Andy Borgmann's Blog

This past Sunday was the the worship service I hate the most in the entire year: "Patriotic Sunday." It seems over the short 225 years of our nation’s history, we have increasingly associated Christianity with the USA. I don't think this is a positive relationship for Christianity or the States.

Let me first say that I am not "anti-American." I love living in America. I love our freedom. I support the troops (which is such a pointless statement now days), and I even support the Iraq war (as I have posted on before). I believe whole heartedly in democracy as well as the unalienable rights all humans share because they are children of God. I just want to state that for the record, but I digress.

The largest enemy in my mind to Christianity in the 21st century, western world is moral relativism. We might not all understand moral relativism, but to put it simply it is the whole idea that "what is right for you is right for you, and what is right for me is right for me, so don’t tell me how to live my life." However, the foundation of Democracy is moral relativism. And hear me out on this.

Democracy is built on the principle that every vote counts (and given the 2000 election, we mean that). But in order for every vote to count, society must concede that all are “right” when they go to the polls which allows for them to voice their opinion. Take rape for example. Rape is not immoral in the US simply because the actions are heinous. No, rape is immoral because at least 51% of Americans who think they are right (or at least those they elect) have said it is immoral. That's it. That's the only reason it is is illegal. And this rings true for all of our laws.

This is not to say that I think Democracy is de facto evil. Not at all. And given the state of a "fallen" (i.e. sinful) world, it is probably the best government we can attain. But just as I wouldn't say Jesus would have you drive a Honda because it is the best car, or Jesus loves the Cubs (which he does), I have a hard time saying Jesus love Democracy. This means that Christians should think long and hard about the logical implications to what they are associating the Gospel with; or before we know it, that which we have toted a "God-send" for years may turn back to bite the hand that fed it if 51% of the people decide we are wrong.