Have you noticed the correlation between immigration and religious standards in the United States? As more and more diverse people groups enter the country, our religious principles continually diminish. The great thing about a correlation is that it does not promise causality, meaning that just because a relationship exists between the two does not mean one causes the other. A correlation provides a platform upon which one can build a discussion to show what link exists between the two variables. I was listening to the Rick and Bubba show this morning, and they were discussing the removal of prayer and biblical teachings in schools in Canada. This got me thinking.
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American Flag at Pearl Harbor. Oahu, Hawaii
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If you compare the United States to other countries, you will see that other countries, specifically in Europe, set their own standards as far as principles go. They do not waver based on assumption to the new immigrants' needs. The immigrants adapt to that country's cultural standards. This is where the U.S. differs from other countries. Watchdog groups and government officials assume that America needs to adapt to the needs of new immigrants to avoid the horrendous possibility that we might offend someone because of our standards. Now explain this to me please. How is it that I am considered rude for not eating a country's delicacy while at the same time being rude for not letting go of my own religious standards? I don't know if I worded that according to what was in my mind, but it's close. My point is that the government's attempt to not offend anyone really sets up a double standard on the layman's part because the government expects the individual to be courteous when traveling to another country while allowing visitors from another country walk all over my standards. This is not right. This is a lousy attempt from the government to make the U.S. more likeable to other countries, when it should be more concerned with its own issues. This is a perfect example of how we look to the approval of others too much for our own esteem, when we should look to God's esteem for us instead of ourselves, much less other people. Obama recently said that "our instituions are stronger than the individual" during one of his numerous speeches this week. Maybe he was trying to say that there is strength in numbers, which is true. But sometimes a group of people can make bad decisions if they are not keen on their intentions. This is where America should keep her motives in check with her goals. We do live in a great country, but we cannot become inflated in our patriotism to the point that we sacrifice our own character and values.
