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THE QUESTION
YOUR TAKE: Are supporters of "American exceptionalism" saying that America has a special relationship with God? How do you interpret this? Use #Exceptionalamerica to respond on Twitter
Is America blessed?
Washington Post political reporter Karen Tumulty wrote Monday about the growing use of the idea of "American exceptionalism" by political conservatives as a "battle cry from a new front in the ongoing culture wars."
Sarah Palin and many other prominent conservatives assert that "God has granted America a special role in human history." It is this belief about America's destiny that they say is "under attack" by liberals who downplay America's distinctiveness.
Are these leaders saying that America has a special relationship with God? How do you interpret this?
Your tweets below, scroll down for panel responses.
YOUR TAKE: Are supporters of "American exceptionalism" saying that America has a special relationship with God? How do you interpret this? Use #Exceptionalamerica to respond on Twitter
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Posted by
Elizabeth Tenety on November 29, 2010 12:26 PM
FROM THE PANEL
God's hand was in the establishment of the United States
God's visible hand was prominent in the establishment of the United States of America.
Posted by Clayton Christensen, on December 8, 2010 7:51 PM
We are blessed to be in America
There is no source more frequently used in the documents of our Founders than the Bible. In fact, the very idea of the three branches of government is Biblically based.
Posted by Fr. Frank Pavone, on December 8, 2010 11:39 AM
American exceptionalism: divine hall pass?
The fact that the idea of American exceptionalism is alive and well among the general public is not so surprising given its longstanding presence in American cultural DNA. But the current dominance of the exceptionalism-as-divine-hall-pass should concern those who hold in high esteem Winthrop's conception, which made divine exceptionalism dependent upon the moral behavior of the nation rather than the other way around.
Posted by Robert P. Jones, on December 3, 2010 12:36 PM
American exceptionalism: useless, potentially dangerous
This is a deception. Worse, it is idolatry. It is an idolatry that can only disappoint.
Posted by Valerie Elverton Dixon, on December 2, 2010 4:34 PM
An exceptional but not chosen people
There is no human being in the entire world that is unloved or forgotten by God. Every human being is created in His image and has a remarkable chance at redemption.
Posted by John Mark Reynolds, on December 2, 2010 3:08 PM
Exceptionalism can degenerate into superiority
The kind of exceptionalism being proclaimed by too many Americans today is, I think, a recipe for self-delusion and disaster.
Posted by Brian D. McLaren, on December 1, 2010 6:18 PM
American exceptionalism rooted in bad theology
Accepting that America is exceptional due to God's unmerited favor breeds the virtues of gratitude and humility. A belief that America is the recipient of divine favoritism, on the other hand, breeds arrogance and triumphalism.
Posted by Jonathan Merritt, on November 30, 2010 8:58 PM
Call it karma
Many of the blessings we have today are a result of economic policies designed by our predecessors.
Posted by Ronald Rychlak, on November 30, 2010 5:04 PM
He loves us, but not that way
I feel quite confident from my limited theological insight, and even more limited knowledge of history, that God is not in any sort of special covenant relationship with our nation. The Founding Fathers were a bit more modest, seeking only to establish a more perfect union. A century and a half of reality will do that to dreams.
Posted by Jason Poling, on November 30, 2010 1:47 PM
Blessed is the country that knows justice for all
Of the strongest signs (and reasons) that America is a blessed nation, is that even in a time of worldwide political and economic crises, ours is a country where at every level, from the federal court where a man's lifetime hangs in the balance, to a grade school classroom, we have the right to shine the light of equality and justice on everyone.
Posted by Shmully Hecht, on November 30, 2010 12:11 PM
Inquisitorial exceptionalism
The claim to American exceptionalism under God is not exceptional. Throughout history, various empires have claimed to be instruments of God's plan for the world.
Posted by Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo, on November 30, 2010 11:39 AM
Blessed are the meek
Being exceptional is not simply a matter of believing that we are better than others by way of divine entitlement. Being the best requires effort and humility.
Posted by Rajdeep Singh, on November 30, 2010 11:32 AM
Hubris and heresy
The United States of America is a very special place; but it does not enjoy a special relationship with God.
Posted by J. Brent Walker, on November 30, 2010 10:09 AM
God calls nations to special roles
Being called to a special role is a given. But discernment of what that role is is not so easy.
Posted by Nicholas T. Wright, on November 30, 2010 9:45 AM
With great blessings comes great responsibility
While the left offers American guilt trips and sheepish apologies, the right encourages American pride, gratitude for our many blessings, and a greater commitment to the global responsibilities with which they come.
Posted by Danielle Bean, on November 30, 2010 8:33 AM
Nothing is special, everything is blessed
We are biological creatures embedded in a planetary ecosystem that recognizes the claims of no special class of being, much less the class within a class of national identity. The planet doesn't know or care what an American is, and consequenly I don't believe God does either. For me the two are the same.
Posted by Clark Strand, on November 30, 2010 8:27 AM
Does God only speak to a handful of people?
I think it is about time that God intervenes to bless the American conservatives with some wisdom and humility.
Posted by Arun Gandhi, on November 30, 2010 12:18 AM
Exceptionalism is idolatry
Those who speak of exceptionalism in religious terms tend to view the United States as parallel to ancient Israel
Posted by Gene Davenport, on November 29, 2010 11:47 PM
Of course America is exceptional
Jesus didn't die and rise for Americans, who did not exist in His time, but for everyone from every land and for all time.
Posted by Cal Thomas, on November 29, 2010 9:40 PM
Exceptional in good and bad ways
America is exceptional; its democracy has been a model for the world; its Constitution is, simply put, brilliant. America is also exceptional in that it incarcerates more people than any other nation in the world, and that its economy was and is built on the backs of poor people, specifically slaves.
Posted by Susan K. Smith, on November 29, 2010 9:29 PM
God's country
There is no doubt that America has a special relationship with God. The Declaration of Independence acknowledges God's role as right-giver while the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments recognize the free will of man.
Posted by Jordan Sekulow, on November 29, 2010 5:46 PM
Exceptional arrogance
I agree with Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich (in a rather roundabout way) that America was formed as an exceptional nation because of a special relationship with God. The framers of our U.S. Constitution wanted no part of the religious intolerance and bloodshed they saw in Europe and wisely established the first government in history to separate church and state.
Posted by Herb Silverman, on November 29, 2010 4:55 PM
American exceptionalism: power disguised as virtue
A "God-given" exceptionalism is really kind of lazy. It doesn't really require any work on our part, does it? In that view, God does all the work of guaranteeing our exceptionalism--it's the idea that divine providence equals an outside force controlling human affairs. It's self-deceptive and sentimental feel-good religion (and politics) that has nothing to do with the Bible.
Posted by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, on November 29, 2010 4:55 PM
We are indeed exceptional
Yes, America is exceptional. Exceptional does not mean perfect; exceptional does not mean ideal; exceptional does not mean unimprovable.
Posted by David Wolpe, on November 29, 2010 3:16 PM
American exceptionalism: exceptionally dangerous
God doesn't play favorites among nations.
Posted by Barry Lynn, on November 29, 2010 3:11 PM
No shortcut to being exceptional
I fear that the proponents of American exceptionalism will create a shortcut for American pride.
Posted by Sid Schwarz, on November 29, 2010 3:01 PM
American exceptionalism rooted in Christian exceptionalism
The emphasis on American exceptionalism these days is rooted in this Christian exceptionalism.
Posted by Max Carter, on November 29, 2010 2:49 PM
Blessings, maybe; blessor, no
The notion that America has been specially singled out by God has a long history. As an atheist, I find it difficult to take it very seriously. After all, if there is no God, then it's not very likely that He has blessed America.
Posted by Tom Flynn, on November 29, 2010 1:28 PM
