My Heart Grieves for My Country
“And much it grieved my heart to think what man has ‘done to’ man”. I hope that Mr. Wordsworth will forgive me for taking liberties with his memorable passage from “Lines Written in Early Spring,” but it just seemed an appropriate assessment of my feelings about the things that are going on in my country today.
I am, indeed, saddened by the hatred and hypocrisy I see in what used to be the greatest country in the world, a nice place to live, a civil democracy. Today, however, civility is gone, replaced by venomous words and overt acts of prejudice and animosity. Even sadder to me is that much of it is done in the name of Christianity.
In 2009 a student at Eastern Michigan University was expelled from her graduate studies program in counseling because she refused to counsel a suicidal student. Why did she refuse? Because she claimed to be a Christian and the student was gay.
It seemed of little consequence that the student’s life was at stake.
My Christian upbringing taught me that the Bible said to “Love thy neighbor” — I don’t recall there being anything that said “unless he’s gay.” Yes, she was expelled in 2009 since such counseling was a part of her required curriculum, but that would not be the case today because the Michigan House of Representatives passed a bill making it illegal to discipline a student for such refusal if it conflicts with one’s religious beliefs. Is that what freedom of religion is? — freedom to discriminate, even with a life in the balance.
The Jesus Christ I grew up knowing was a compassionate man who befriended prostitutes and unscrupulous tax collectors. He healed the unclean, like lepers and the woman with a 12 year flow of blood. It makes me both sad and angry to hear stories of people claiming to be Christians behaving in such un-Christ-like ways
At the core of the Christian faith are God’s laws, The Ten Commandments, one of which is “Thou shalt not kill.” Not only is murder against the law, it is diametrically opposed to that basic tenet of the Christian religion. Nowhere does it say “Thou shalt not kill unless I deem you need killing.”
I seem to recall something about not judging others, and about vengeance belonging to The Lord. The bombing of an abortion clinic, resulting in the deaths of doctors, nurses, and women who have had to make agonizing decisions, does not adhere to God’s commandment.
The AARP Ranks Atenas as…One of “The Best Places to Retire Abroad.”
You may believe that abortion is wrong, and you have every right to that belief, but you do not have the right take another’s life, legally or morally. Two wrongs have never made a right, and you might want to think back to all those bracelets that were being worn not long ago – WWJD — what do YOU think Jesus would do?
Racism is simply hatred for another human being who happens to be of a different culture or skin color. I thought that we Americans had left that mindset behind before the turn of the century, but I guess the election of an African-American President was more than some of our covert bigots could endure, and it has resurfaced with a vengeance.
Take Montana, for instance. At the recently held Montana Republican convention at Missoula’s Hilton Garden where the convention was held, an outhouse was erected and labeled “Obama Presidential Library” and decorated with bullet holes. Inside were offensive wall-hangings directed at the First Lady and the Secretary of State. Never has such disrespect for the Presidency been on display, but then we’ve never had a black president before..
Ignorance is its own reward, and certainly such displays are a reflection of ignorance. For me, however, the saddest commentary on the incident was the “no commentary” on the part of the Republican leadership, who should have vehemently condemned the structure and demanded that it be dismantled before the convention began. Failure to do so put them in the same boat with those who created the disgraceful structure..
Ku Klux Klan recruiting seems to be alive and well in North Carolina. In May, flyers were distributed to residents of Reidsville, NC,inviting them to a “cross burning” for “whites only.” The celebration would be complete with food, music, and t-shirts. While most Reidsville residents avowed no interest in such an event, the flyers themselves were evident of a resurgence of a racial animosity that has rested beneath the surface until recently. Now, once again, hatred has reared its ugly head and is there for all to see.
One of my favorite songs from my Sunday School days and those of my children, was Jesus Loves the Little Children, all the children of the world…… What some of today’s children are being taught in Sunday School or church is evidenced by the video of a four-year-old singing “Ain’t No Homo Gonna Make It Into Heaven” at the Apostolic Truth Tabernacle in Greensburg, Indiana.
His performance received raucus laughter and wild applause from the adults in attendance, adults who are supposed to be Godly people, and what are they doing? – they are teaching children to hate, indoctrinating them to intolerance. What would Jesus say?
Even the very houses of government offer horrid ways to resolve differences, like a spokesman for Representative Nan Hayworth of New York who suggested hurling “acid in the faces of the female Senators” who wouldn’t go along with the program. Has this despicable rhetoric become acceptable in modern political campaigns. Jay townsend much have thought so when he made the comment.
Hatred and hypocracy — is this what my country has come to? – my country, where I have grown up, gone to school and church, pledged allegiance to the American flag, married and raised a family, putting in 33 years of my life in an effort to better the lives of high school students in my classrooms, and now watch the country that I love plunge into this pit of ugliness.
I recently became a grandmother of a precious little boy. I fear for him and the world in which he will have to grow up. And I can’t help but grieve for what has become of the hearts and minds of so many Americans and the country that they are creating.
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Written by VIP Member Anne Harper who is a retired English teacher, having taught high school English for 33 years. Anne was not a well-travelled person, or at least until Jim Kavney came into her life. After they both lost their spouses 8 years ago, they met and began a relationship which has enabled her to meet and fall in love with the people and the country of Costa Rica, which was already in Jim’s heart. Their stays have extended from weeks to months, and this year, for the second time, they will be spending 4 months in Atenas.
Anne and Jim love the Central Valley with its small towns and local personality. With Atenas as their headquarters, they are visiting and exploring many of Costa Rica’s wonderful and exciting places. Jim and Anne divide their time between their homes in Florida and Costa Rica. Anne confesses that her horizons have been broadened and her awareness of the world heightened by her visits to this amazing country – the land, the native people and the cross-section of ex-pats from all over the world. She never knows what language will be spoken at the table next to them when they go out to eat. When Anne says: “It isn’t the destination; it’s the journey,” she is referring to her continuing journey during which she sees amazing places and meets amazing people….and her world continues to expand
Jim’s website, now called Costa Rica Herping Adventures, is available to anyone interested in reptiles and has summaries and pictures from all the trips to date. Jim states that he would be happy to answer questions and identify snakes for anyone who wants to send a picture to his email address, which can be found on his website.
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The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) ranks Atenas as one of “The Best Places to Retire Abroad.” For more information about homes and land for sale in the area please contact our Recommended Realtors in Atenas Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras using the simple form below:
WeLoveCostaRica.com Article ID Number 3731
Andrew Makarik
to@welovecostarica.comAndrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.
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