14 WAYS THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND AMERICA IS LIKE A FAMILY CIRCUS By Kim Galloway

INTRODUCTION

• Being in a family is an adventure that is filled with complicated emotions and strong ties that bind us together, just like the sometimes-loving, sometimes -contentious relationship between Christianity and America

1• Families provide a safe home that is a nurturing place to grow.• Children find security and protection within the home.

• In the relationship between Christianity and America:• In America, Christianity was given a safe place to develop new ideas far

removed from the interference of meddling relatives Monarchy and State-Church.

• The freedom to be Christian is secured and protected.

2• Parents teach responsibility.• As children grow and learn they are given more freedom and

responsibility.

• In the relationship between Christianity and America:• America has given freedom to religion, and has asked that it be exercised

with responsibility.• Even though Christianity is free to share the Gospel, it is not free to

spread hate, bigotry, or pass judgement on others.• Christianity is still growing and learning to share the truth in love.

3• Families pass on morals and values• Even though each family has their own code of conduct, core values are

passed down through family interaction.

• In the relationship between Christianity and America:• In the past America had implemented a code of conduct based on values

that very closely reflected Christian morals. • These laws could only be aimed at the outward appearance and

superficial conduct of the individual and the society.

4• Families have rules, but make compromises, too.• When children are small, rules are for teaching and protecting. As children

grow there can be more compromise as they show maturity in decision making.

• In the relationship between Christianity and America:• Even though Christians have some rules that are not negotiable, traditions

such as clothing styles and the roles of men and women have adapted to mature along with the culture of America.

• America has used some Christian values and the Christian model of the family to make laws and guide society.

5• Families go through growing pains as children gain independence.

• In the relationship between Christianity and America:• There has been plenty of teenage rebellion. Like a teenager trying to

find their own voice, America has struck out on it’s own to try new and exciting things.

• New experiences have been met with varying consequences, but hopefully wisdom is gained through both failures and successes.

6• Raising a family takes commitment• Parents can not run away at the first difficult situation.

• In the relationship between Christianity and America:• The relationship between Christianity and America has sometimes been a

contentious one.• America has been committed to allowing Christians to practice their religion,

although some misguided individuals have not used this freedom wisely.• Christianity has been committed to making American society better through

charity work and community service, and trying to raise responsible citizens.

7• As family members grow up, the family may also grows in size. • Young adults bring outsiders into the family and it becomes more diverse.

• In the relationship between Christianity and America:• The nation that considered itself Christian has opened it’s home to many

cultures and religions. • Even though there have been times of distrust and strife, there has been

added diversity in the family and broadening of horizons.

8• Relationships in a family can be contentious.• Even though members disagree, the underlying ties are still binding.

• In the relationship between Christianity and America:• America has attempted to remove all mention of religion from public life;

teaching only the theory of evolution in public schools, for example, even though the theory of intelligent design has equal merit in education.

• Christianity has attempted to impose it’s beliefs on society; the displaying of the Ten Commandments in public spaces, for example, even though they are a religious display.

9• Family relationships can be overprotective and controlling.• When a child is overprotected and controlled they may become even

more defiant.• Patience on the parent’s part, and a change in the child’s heart is

required.

• In the relationship between Christianity and America:• When Christianity has tried to control moral behavior through legislation

it has not been successful.• True change in moral behavior comes from each individual changing their

heart and mind, and eventually, their behavior.

10• Family relationships can be full of favoritism.• Even though parents try to be fair and love their children equally,

favoritism can still be shown.

• In the relationship between Christianity and America:• Christianity has always enjoyed the status of the favorite child.• Christianity’s favored position has been recently challenged.• It is okay to be the most popular child, but the other siblings would

rather not see reminders of it in public spaces and in public policy.

11• Families relationships can be love-hate relationships.• As much as members love each other, there are things that drive them

crazy!

• In the relationship between Christianity and America:• Christianity loves the freedom that America affords religion, yet hates

that America is a diverse nation, full of many religions.• America loves that Christian values help individuals to be good citizens,

yet hates that Christianity expects individuals to live up to those values.

12• Families are places in which individuals can learn about themselves.• Both parents and children learn about their personal strengths and

weaknesses, and grow as they strive to be the best versions of themselves.

• In the relationship between Christianity and America:• Both Christianity and America believe that they always choose the moral

high ground, yet both have fallen short of their ideals.• As Christians and Americans, individuals can choose to learn to be their

best representations of both God and Country.

• Family relationships are always evolving.• As family members go through different stages of life, relationship dynamics change.

• In the relationship between Christianity and America:• Christianity and America have always lived in a mutually beneficial relationship, but

that relationship has gone through many changes.• America has enjoyed the benefits of the intertwining of Christianity and patriotism,

although Christianity has been dismayed by some of the dishonorable things that have been done in the name of America recently.

• Christianity has always enjoyed the religious freedom offered in America, but is now struggling with the limits being placed upon it by law, limits that have always been imposed upon other religions by society, if not by law.

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14• Families are places where individuals grow and learn in order to reach

their full potential.• Parents observe their children’s strengths and encourage them to pursue

opportunities to be their best.

• In the relationship between Christianity and America:• American education is open to everyone, regardless of their religious

beliefs, to help them to achieve their dreams.• America could improve at offering truly equal opportunities to everyone.

15Although the relationship between Christianity and America has been at times amiable, and at times antagonistic, both have admired the best traits of the other.Like members in a family they have been angry and said things that they later regretted; they have even taken each other to court over their disagreements. Even though Christianity and America disagree on many things, they have forgiven each others’ shortcomings, knowing that even though their methods may differ, they are motivated by a desire to improve the lives of the members of the family.

WORKS CITED“Analogy.” Literary Devices. n.d. Web. November 8, 2015 http://www.literarydevices.com/analogy/

Higbee, Tristan. “How to Create Killer Analogies by Relating Anything to Anything Else.” BloggingBookshelf. n.d. Web. November 7, 2015 “30 Writing Topics: Analogy.” About Education. About.com, 2015. Web. November 8, 2015. http://grammar.about.com/od/topicsuggestions/a/Thirty-Writing-Topics-Analogy.htm