Christian humility vs. American exceptionalism

[PeterMP]

This is the result of a conversation that I over heard today.

I was wondering how Christians balance (or not balance) or reconcile any beliefs they have w/ respect to American Exceptionalism with the concepts of Christian humility.

Are they completely compatible, completely incompatible, somewhere in between?

For the non-Christians out there, can you comment on what you think about when you hear people go back and forth between the importance of Christian values and then issues about American exceptionalism? Feel free to include any ideas related to humility in general (Christian or not) and American Exceptionalism.

[AsburySkinsFan]

Oh damn....

[visionary]

What exactly is American exceptionalism?
I've heard it mentioned a lot during this election campaign, but never heard it before that.

[AsburySkinsFan]

What exactly is American exceptionalism?
I've heard it mentioned a lot during this election campaign, but never heard it before that.

The idea that as Americans our way of life is better than every one else's and that we should spread our way of doing things so people will be more like us. It is a profoundly arrogant form of nationalism.

[stevemcqueen1]

The idea that as Americans our way of life is better than every one else's and that we should spread our way of doing things so people will be more like us. It is a profoundly arrogant form of nationalism.

It goes further than that. There is this belief within it that Americans are sort of a chosen people for a higher will.

Regarding the OP, don't ask me. I'm a Nietzschean Multiculturalist .

[Corcaigh]

For both you could ask whether there is more myth than reality.

Many Christians are anything but humble. Those touting American Exceptionalism often reassure themselves by comparing the USA to broken third-world economies. America is sometimes the shining city on a hill but it's also often on the side of darkness as the history of intervention in South America shows clearly. America will act strictly in its own political interest when it suits, and not based on altruism or any grand mission of spreading liberty. The USA is the greatest country on the planet, but is not endowed with any special mission.

Through history, anyone proclaiming to be on a mission from God, (Jake and Elwood excepted of course), is not to be trusted.

[Zguy28]

THE RACE: Obama hums a GOP tune: US exceptionalism

http://news.yahoo.com/race-obama-hum...-election.html

Locked in a razor-thin battle for re-election, President Barack Obama is adapting a classic Republican tune: American exceptionalism.

"Now is the time to show the kind of generosity that makes America the greatest nation on Earth," Obama said during a visit to the American Red Cross as he oversaw the federal response to megastorm Sandy.

Obama was touring the storm-ravaged Atlantic City area Wednesday with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Usually a fierce critic, the Republican governor has praised Obama for quick crisis management and for expediting federal help to stricken states.

With Election Day fast approaching, both sides are straining to find new support. And Obama has been waxing more and more patriotic.

Full article at link

[PeterMP]

What exactly is American exceptionalism?
I've heard it mentioned a lot during this election campaign, but never heard it before that.

It is a very old idea. I think it has gotten more play very recently (even in the last elections), but for quite a while (late 1970's early 1980's) it was an issue for Democratic President nominees. Then it sort of gone away in terms of national politics. The idea itself is older than that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism

"American exceptionalism is the belief that the United States is different from other countries in that it has a specific world mission to spread liberty and democracy."

Obvioiusly, there is variation and everybody's idea of American Exceptionalism isn't the same. But generally, it is the idea that as a nation there is something special about us.

[twa]

I think Christian humility is being misapplied,putting your candle under a bushel is not humility.(be it Christianity or freedoms)

Balance and individual application of humility is best.

[AsburySkinsFan]

I think Christian humility is being misapplied,putting your candle under a bushel is not humility.(be it Christianity or freedoms)

Well, I guess if we totally wanted to ignore what the passage about being the light on the hill is all about (i.e. Jesus not us!) then that logic might work. Instead Jesus says John 3:14-15 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Balance and individual application of humility is best.

Uhhh...no...He must increase, but I must decrease.

But, you have fun with that Gospel according to America.

[PeterMP]

I think Christian humility is being misapplied,putting your candle under a bushel is not humility.(be it Christianity or freedoms)

Balance and individual application of humility is best.

Who said anything about hiding a light?

I come from a school of thought if you are exceptional people will notice. If you have to call yourself exceptional, then you probably aren't that exceptional.

If your light is bright, people will notice. If you have to wave your light around and yell, 'Look how bright my light is.', your light probably isn't all that bright.

[twa]

If your light is bright, people will notice..

not if you hold it close or are ashamed of it

I agree with you on excess, but part of a bright national light(or a
Christian one) is making sure the light is bright and unobstructed.

is it wrong to hold your light up to give light to the path?

[PeterMP]

not if you hold it close or are ashamed of it

I agree with you on excess, but part of a bright national light(or a
Christian one) is making sure the light is bright and unobstructed.

is it wrong to hold your light up to give light to the path?

I think there are many people out there to quick to mistake humility with being ashamed.

[twa]

I think there are many people out there to quick to mistake humility with being ashamed.

I think many are ashamed of the concept of exceptionalism and use humility as a crutch

then you have those like the poster above that define exceptionalism in a manner I do not recognize ...it is not who you are or accomplishments,but rather freedoms and ideas that result from them (and even the arguments that freely flow from them) that make us a exception as a nation

[Jumbo]

Who said anything about hiding a light?

I come from a school of thought if you are exceptional people will notice. If you have to call yourself exceptional, then you probably aren't that exceptional.

If your light is bright, people will notice. If you have to wave your light around and yell, 'Look how bright my light is.', your light probably isn't all that bright.

I agree with you, while allowing for (hopefully only occasionally) failing to meet the standard. But this is my basic attitude, too. One of my fave things about TB and Burg, is that they rarely fall into the arguing trap of ego and "psyche needs" interfering with humility here (a difficult task). Your comment is again, reminding me of "attraction rather than promotion.'

---------- Post added September-25th-2012 at 04:25 PM ----------

not if you hold it close or are ashamed of it

I agree with you on excess, but part of a bright national light(or a
Christian one) is making sure the light is bright and unobstructed.

is it wrong to hold your light up to give light to the path?

Big gap between what you describe and most common forms of posturing that AmEx takes, especially in the right wing side of our political dodo bird.