Reply With Quoteim pretty sure theres a massive thread on this topic.
Is America exceptional? It started that way
Photos: Faces of citizenship
My Take: How I constructed 'The American Bible'
My Faith: Why I don’t sing the ‘Star Spangled Banner’
(CNN) – It’s safe to say the first European arrivals to New England wouldn’t recognize today’s debate over whether America is exceptional.
Though the United States wouldn’t be born for another century and a half, the Puritans arriving in the early 1600s on the shores of what would become Massachusetts firmly believed they were on a mission from God.
In other words, they had the exceptional part down pat.
Fleeing what they saw as the earthly and corrupt Church of England, the Puritans fancied themselves the world’s last, best hope for purifying Christianity - and for saving the world.
The Puritans never used the word “exceptionalism.” But they came to see Boston as the new Jerusalem, a divinely ordained “city upon a hill,” a phrase Massachusetts Bay Colony founder John Winthrop used in a sermon at sea en route from England in 1630.
“They were reinterpreting themselves as God’s new Israel,” Boston University religion professor Stephen Prothero said. “They were essentially playing out the biblical story.”
To modern ears, that literal exceptionalist thinking could sound at once both exotic and quaint, which makes the idea’s staying power and influence throughout American history all the more remarkable.
Source
Not a bad read, thoughts from you gents?
im pretty sure theres a massive thread on this topic.
How odd Bender. American civil religion is one of my more favorite sociology topics to observe and research. Last person I'd figure who'd be interested in it is you. Good stuff...I kinda wished they had included many more profiles and quotes of our people through history. Seven is simply too little.
This is the main reason why I believe America, no matter the hard times to come, will end out the better for it.
And when it is our time to die, to take our leave off the stage of history forever...I believe there will be another United States of America to come
Our Idea, our Belief has come, and thus it can never die. And thats why we will always live on.
^^ Now that is one.. "poetic" post..
Originally Posted by IconOfEvi
How odd Bender. American civil religion is one of my more favorite sociology topics to observe and research. Last person I'd figure who'd be interested in it is you
This is the main reason why I believe America, no matter the hard times to come, will end out the better for it.
And when it is our time to die, to take our leave off the stage of history forever...I believe there will be another United States of America to come
Our Idea, our Belief has come, and thus it can never die. And thats why we will always live on., it was interesting reading.
Contrary to what others here may say about me, I am a Christian, I believe Christ died for me. And, I am not trying to sound like a tough guy, but if it were not for him, I would not be here today, I would have been gone long ago. I just have issues with the church and the many denominations and affiliations that they pursue; but I digress.
That thing was epic.
Anyway, US = economic recession; EU = economic recession. Norway = still awesome, as we were a millenia ago. We're speshul snowflakes, durrrrrr
...and if you ever get lonely there are Svensk cuties not far from you.
Even I have to admit Swedish women are second to none - with the exception of the Norwegians....and if you ever get lonely there are Svensk cuties not far from you.
They are a special breed...
I've done a lot of comparative studies in this field
the most 'exceptional' part about America is its Constitution and founding ideals. Its the only revolution in history that hasnt been corrupted or defiled or invalidated, while every other ideology that overthrew existing orders has gone to dustbins of history. As a people most Americans arent exceptional (except for a small # obviously), in fact most Americans are fat, lazy and stupid.
The genius of America is its core system, its market capitalism and free exchange of speech and ideas that is guaranteed by the COnstitution. The Founding Fathers in my opinion were probably the most genius and forward thinking men to have ever lived.
What?!As a people most Americans arent exceptional (except for a small # obviously), in fact most Americans are fat, lazy and stupid.
Talk to the hand cause the face don't understand.
Actually, I would agree with that statement, Americans are fat, stupid, lazy and ignorant of the world around them. First World Problems.
The only good scene in this episode.
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