I understand some of you may disagree with this post. That is why I am thankful we live in such a wonderful country where we have the freedom to agree to disagree.
According to the Library of Congress, America’s unofficial national anthem was composed by an immigrant who left his home in Siberia for America when he was only five years old. The original version of “God Bless America” was written by Irving Berlin (1888-1989) during the summer of 1918 at Camp Upton, located in Yaphank, Long Island, for his Ziegfeld-style revue, Yip, Yip, Yaphank. “Make her victorious on land and foam, God Bless America…” ran the original lyric. However, Berlin decided that the solemn tone of “God Bless America” was somewhat out of keeping with the more comedic elements of the show and the song was laid aside.
In the fall of 1938, as war was again threatening Europe, Berlin decided to write a “peace” song. He recalled his “God Bless America” from twenty years earlier and made some alterations to reflect the different state of the world. Singer Kate Smith introduced the revised “God Bless America” during her radio broadcast on Armistice Day, 1938. The song was an immediate sensation.
One minister recently stated in the Washington Post that he did not rise for the singing of God Bless America at a ballgame because he didn’t “have to”. He stated that being pressured to stand up at a ballgame for a song that seemed like a prayer was essentially “un-American”.
James P. Marsh Jr. said, “I’m reminded of the admonition not to pray just to be seen by others. More important, though, I’m concerned that this is a myopic way to exercise faith. I imagine that the God I believe in isn’t interested in dispensing special nationalistic blessings. (Or, perhaps more to the point, blessings for our bullpen, error-free fielding and sufficient run support.) When we ask for blessings to be bestowed only on “us,” we are in danger of seeing ourselves as set apart from the world. Faith is global, and one nation doesn’t get any more or less of God than any other.”
I would agree with Mr. Marsh that Jesus probably doesn’t really care about how many home runs are going to be hit and how many RBI’s there are at the end of the game. But asking God to bless America doesn’t mean we do not want Him to bless any other country. Faith IS global and my God is NO respecter of persons.
I want Him to bless our country and I want Him to bless the world with revival! We are desperate for it! America DOES need God! We desperately need Him!
It is anyone’s right to stand or sit through any song, prayer or anthem whenever they choose. Even a minister. This is America. But it is also our right to enjoy these privileges such as the National Anthem, the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America. They are a part of our heritage Mr. Marsh, and what once had made our nation great.
When we start sitting down because a prayer was “un-American” we are just all mixed up.
I think it’s time we stood up.
Thank you June! Glad you stopped by and followed us on Hope in the Healing! Please make yourself at home and feel free to comment and get involved. You are most welcome!
Really enjoyed reading this, ( God Bless America! )
It is a great country. Thank you for visiting Cheryl!
I truly agree:) Thank you for encouraging us! God Bless America!!! This country is worth fighting for:))
Thank you for visiting Hope in the Healing Maria. Thankful for the freedom we have in this country. We are blessed!
I agree with you wholeheartly and I rise for the National Anthem and I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag and believe in God. Thank you for a great post.
I agree, I have experienced way too many disappointments in people in churches but I had to realize that God never changes and it was still His will that we gathered together as a Body. I am so sorry your experiences have been so negative, God is certainly not pleased! But not all churches are that way I promise you that. There are some real people out there who sincerely love God and love people and just want to help further the Gospel. I wish you well my friend, you deserve to find a church like that and experience the family of God. So very glad you have joined up with Hope in the Healing! I encourage interaction and want you to feel at home. Blessings to you!! ♥
Jessica P. I completely agree with you. I believe in God and all he and she have done. I do not go to church either. God is all around us, not just in the building. I was raised Catholic and to me it was just another business – even today at 50 years old, I see the “business” in action – so sad and disappointing to me. I am spiritual and surround myself with the white light and pray and thank everyday. Blessings on your quest you will find what you need.
Thank you Darlene, you are right, we need that unity! Seems we are losing our freedoms in so many ways, it saddens me. I am not a “fuddy-dud” and am all for progress and forward-thinking but sure hate to lose some of the values our country was founded upon. So happy you are following Hope in the Healing! Please feel at home and comment, suggest ideas and get involved. I truly want it to be an interactive blog! Blessings friend.
I totally agreee ,and the anthem is just a tradition of our nation where we all stand as one i love that feeling of Unity.
I like your spunk Allyson!! You go girl! 🙂 Thanks for linking up with Hope in the Healing! I love interaction around here, please feel free to get involved and make yourself at home. I love to hear from my readers, ideas, input and comments are always welcome! Blessings!
So true Jessica. Freedom is the right to choose. I am sorry you have not found a good church that you love. I have found the Body of Christ to be strength and the hand cannot do without the foot, as the Bible talks about in 1 Corinthians the 12th chapter. “And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping…” etc., etc… And it also tells us “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25. I am definitely not trying to be preachy 🙂 by any means whatsoever, just trying to encourage you to give it another try! Maybe there is a church out there that you have missed that you and your family would love, that preaches truth and would bring great joy in your life. We need each other and they need you! The Body of Christ needs each member to function properly and I would be happy to help you find a church in your area if you want to email me at ynannette@gmail.com God bless you friend!! So good to hear from you!
This is absolutely beautiful. God bless America! I will yell it from the rooftops!
I was raised in a Christian family and I have been trying to figure out for a long time what I believe in. I know I believe in God but I do not believe in going to church. My thing is that I think all of our children should learn to sing God Bless America. I think if you do not want to sing it or stand for it then do not. On the other end of the debate though I believe we should be allowed to speak our minds and stand if we want to. This country was built on freedom and that means we have a choice. We have a choice to believe or not to believe, but we do not have the right to take that choice away from other’s. If you do not agree then that is your right but every right should be respected and not just the ones we pick and choose. I believe we have a right to be individuals and the moment you take that away then freedom is lost.