James Otto, described as a country music Southern soul man in the mold of Conway Twitty and Ronnie Milsaps, tugs at Americana's heart strings and patriotism with a ballad describing a grandfather's sacrifice in war and likening it to that of Christ. The song appears on his 2010 release Shake What God Gave Ya'. Apparently Mr. Otto is working double time on incorporating the Godhead into his music. The theme of "Soldiers and Jesus" is standard in the modern pop-country industry, which works to echo the sentiments of conservative, rural, working class Americans. Patriotic ballads resonate well with country music fans. You may remember Toby Keith's thoughtful "Angry American" ("We'll put a boot in your ass, it's the American way.") that debuted shortly after 9/11. Military allusions are particularly sentimental. The South is a lush harvesting ground for the US military, and many are veterans or family members thereof. With numerous friends and classmates having served in the armed forces, I understand the ties one can feel to music linking US military operations with religion.
Yet I must question the simple assumption lying at the root of Mr. Otto's song: that Jesus and US soldiers are on the same team. A quick review of the gospels fails to often unite soldiers with Jesus, save for that matter of the crucifixion. But there are notable similarities between the military-government complex of the US military and with that of the Roman Empire. Both spread across the known world, fighting in conflicts on foreign soil to protect the interests of the state. I fear that if a middle-eastern man were to lead a raucous mob into a holy city being protected or defended by either military during a holy festival, and that mob were to proclaim his reign as king, either force would take note. And while crucifixions have never been en vogue for the US military, I do not suppose such a man would be looked upon with trust. Now suppose that such a man were to reject offers to work with local leaders or the occupying force. Suppose he proclaimed the coming of a new kingdom - offering hope and inciting unrest. Do you think that such a man might not find himself the target of a smart bomb or an assassination?
Unfortunately, despite our best intentions to marry patriotism and religion, the two are not entirely compatible. While our military does sacrifice to provide security and safety to Americans and to defend our interests and values, the Christian Church cannot embrace our government as a friend. We certainly cannot advocate for more overlap between the two. In a debate for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, Ron Paul quipped that if fascism were ever to descend on the US, it would arrive carrying a cross and draped in an American flag. "Soldiers and Jesus" promotes exactly that kind of Christianity, one that unfortunately disregards the very Christ that called us to love our enemies and turn the other cheek - the Jesus that was crucified by soldiers.
Unfortunately, despite our best intentions to marry patriotism and religion, the two are not entirely compatible. While our military does sacrifice to provide security and safety to Americans and to defend our interests and values, the Christian Church cannot embrace our government as a friend. We certainly cannot advocate for more overlap between the two. In a debate for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, Ron Paul quipped that if fascism were ever to descend on the US, it would arrive carrying a cross and draped in an American flag. "Soldiers and Jesus" promotes exactly that kind of Christianity, one that unfortunately disregards the very Christ that called us to love our enemies and turn the other cheek - the Jesus that was crucified by soldiers.
No comments:
Post a Comment