Why is America so Politically divided?
A commentary by Graemme Marshall
United Church of God pastor, Ottawa, Canada
The United States of America is most powerful, the richest
and most influential nation in the world. One might expect its greatness
to stem from the majority of its 270 million people being united in support
of its government, its policies and its endeavors. But this is not the
reality of American politics. As another presidential election draws
near, Americans are divided right down the middle.
Columnist Mike Littwin
describes the present political division in the United States with this
interesting metaphor: "People from
the two sides look out of the window at the same tree, and see it entirely
differently. They believe because it is so obvious to them, that it is
an oak tree, [that] the other side must see the tree the same way they
do. And whoever says differently must be a liar, or a distorter, or a
tool of some vast conspiracy" (red/blueamerica, Rocky Mountain
News & Denver Post, July 17, 2004, page 1 & 6a).
Political
unity is not what bequeathed to America the dominant position it now
enjoys among the nations of the world. During most of its history America
has thrived and grown in spite of its contentious politics. Yet, even
in America, very few people understand the real roots of its greatness.
The source of America's power is related directly to its biblical
identity. The people who gave birth to both the American and British
cultures were prophesied to receive this greatness because they are the
descendants of Joseph, the great grandson of Abraham.
Our informative
booklet, The United States and Britain in Bible
Prophecy, lays out in plain language the biblical promises that
foretold the rise to world dominance of first the British Empire
and then later the United States of America .
Though information
confirming their biblical identity has been published widely during
the past four centuries, most people simply have ignored it. This
ignorance of their true identity, coupled with their currently
distorted moral compass, has deprived them of a consistent standard for
their values.
The result has been political division based on personal
opinions, agendas, issues and beliefs. Understanding their true identity
could have led them to a level of 'greatness' that neither
America nor the nations of the British Commonwealth have ever achieved.
Imagine what their standing in the world today would be today if only
they would have followed sincerely this biblical advice: "Observe
[God's commands] carefully, for this will show your wisdom and
understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and
say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' What
other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the
LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?" (Deuteronomy
4:6-7, NIV).
Sadly other nations today say mostly negative things about
America . This is partly because its example is inconsistent with its
power.
The Ten Commandments should be the foundation of the common
views of any great nation. This is what God has promised to bring to
the whole world through Jesus Christ. How this will be achieved is
explained in our booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom.
What is
wonderfully positive and encouraging about this future government is
that there will be no more political wrangling, finger pointing and counter
accusations. There will be no more broken campaign promises and pledges.
Jesus Christ, as the returning King, is described in the Bible as 'the
same yesterday, today, and forever' (Hebrews 13:8).
He will bring truth and lasting stability to the whole world!
As Daniel
the prophet announced, "... the God of Heaven will
set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall
not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume other
kingdoms, and it shall stand forever" (Daniel 2:44 ). No more staged
political rallies, no more boisterous demonstrations by frustrated and
discontented citizens and no more contentious elections. God speed that
day!
  Be sure to read our free booklets The
United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy and The
Gospel of the Kingdom.
You may request your free copies today or download them at www.gnmagazine.org/booklets/US and www.gnmagazine.org/booklets/GK.
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