So you're a Christian ...
There has been some talk of late about mostly ALL Americans coming from immigrants and that public speech (Prayer as it were in Hyrum on Independence Day) in Spanish should be a welcome celebration of our American culture and Independent Sovereignty.
I was pondering the Tower of Babel from the Book of Genesis. Babel translates to 'the Gate of God'. One of Noah's great grandsons (the people we truly come from if you believe in that sort of thing) is thought to have lead a charge to build a tower so high they could just walk right up to Heaven and forgo God's commanded law of righteousness on Earth. The people thought they could ignore the Law and simply and passively invade Heaven. Sound familiar?
God didn't like the attitude so he confused their tongues (invented other languages) making communication very difficult.
So what happened next? Unity or segregation?
There is no need for pride in the color of one's skin or one's cultural heritage. If you're a Christian such pride simply means you are proud of the changes on Earth brought on by Nimrod's spirited charge to Heaven.
For Americans, especially on July 4th, pride belongs with one's allegiance to the Red, White and Blue. Language isn't a matter of pride, it's about communication. In America we speak English whether our dialect be the Lingo associated with Jive, Yankee, Southern Drawl, Chicano or Valley Girl. If you move here, learn and use English when addressing strangers.
Those who move here and use pride as an excuse NOT to learn or use English establish segregation that will find us falling in division rather than standing proudly united.
These are the proving grounds. This is where we separate the men from the boys, the women from the girls, the strong from the weak ..................... Surf this!!
About Me
Subscribe To
Posts
Comments
4 comments:
"There is no need for pride in the color of one's skin or one's cultural heritage."
-There is need for pride in one's heritage. It helps us learn what makes us unique. One of my adopted daughters is part Filipino and frankly I love learning about the culture of her father and how it compares to mine; pretty cool stuff. I get a kick from learning about others different from myself.
"Language isn't a matter of pride, it's about communication."
-It's about both, not just communication.
"In America we speak English..."
-and other languages as well.
"If you move here, learn and use English when addressing strangers."
-For the practical matter of communication it makes sense. But, it goes a long way to acknowledge the uniqueness and beauty of their language and makes it easier to create unity (not division). Like most things in life it is not all give on one side. Therefore I believe it would only be correct to also learn their rich language.
The key is each of us is unique and it makes life better to do what we can to acknowledge that. No matter who's supposed to learn who's language it will require give and take from all of us.
Look at the example of South Africa getting rid of Apartheid. Look at the story of Nelson Mandela. Would that country have become united if Mandela had insisted on no more Afrikaans? In fact he learned their culture and language even after more than 27 years of oppression.If you don't want to read about it watch the movie Invictus (it is accurate).
I share your interest in other cultures of the world. It has nothing to do with pride.
Learn whose language, brother? 'Theirs'? Who's they? The Chinese? The French? The Koreans?
it's not practical. If I move to Mexico I will certainly learn 'their' language.
How can anyone Christian be 'proud' of Babel?
And i am not calling for anyone to stop speaking other languages. I expect, though, Americans to know English and certainly any speech given at an Independence Day celebration to be offered in English, even if completely broken English.
I'm calling for this divisive pride to wane. Unity is far more important today in our developing culture than is this segregating pride.
Here in Hyrum it was Prayer offered in Spanish by a minister who felt more comfortable with the language of 'her people' than the language of the American people at an Independence Day celebration.
Is that a good time to boast one's Pride in Mexican culture? A culture that only exists because our human ancestors wanted to build a ladder to Heaven and just show up rather than taking the steps clearly lined out in the Law.
Now of course, that's not necessarily my religion talking, but surely this giver of prayer so proud of her language was presenting herself as Christian.
I'd say that pride was misplaced and ignorance to the scripture she herself preaches.
Look, even the World Cup requires participants to speak English to the refs.
Communication is key. English is no stretch when it comes to what can be expected of our American brethren.
If it's good enough for the World Cup, it's good enough for America.
You're Catholic. You don't see my point on Babel?
Couldn't agree with you more on the "No need for pride in the color of one's skin", we should all just be Americans and take pride in that.
Post a Comment