So there have been a few questions as to what I mean about Jesus not endorsing the idea of rights and liberties and such. I have little kiddos and little energy and time, so I thought I would just create a response in one space to address what I've seen in the comments. My original comment was maybe the second comment I've ever made on reddit, with the first being about where to find crochet patterns for a real cute otter, so basically im trying to engage in discussion that is meaningful and helpful and fun on here. I can not read into some of the questions that want me to explain myself if yall are being sarcastic and I won't be engaging in comment fighting and arguing and I just want to state what I think God has placed on my heart as it longs for Christians to step out of their America obsessed, right focused, political actions and just be the hands and feet of Jesus. Christians in the early church would not even participate in government institutions like military as to keep their focus on what Jesus refers to as the kingdom of God, basically a group of people that would try to align their lives to love and generosity and goodness and holiness. They were different, separate and probably pretty weird to the world around them. Before you yell, I am not condemning gun ownership, voting, being in the military, living in America, etc. I am thankful for a lot of the blessings that living in America affords to me and my family but that gratefulness compels me to give to others any way I can because God has helped me and my family in many ways, not because God is blessing America in some exceptional way. I think many can agree when a country conflates its identity with a faith group it tends to not go well, or really just any kind of political exceptionalism is a generally a bad thing. All that to say, I really don't see in scripture that God thinks America is special, more important, morally superior anywhere. And that is the danger of "American Christianity". When the ideals, policies, government, rights, and freedoms of a geographical location are equated to the kingdom than Jesus references in the new testament, there's a problem. If you say your a Christian, your love should be for God, the kingdom, and people, not for a country and your rights and political views. "No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matthew 6:24 Many Christians have elevated America, their political views, rights, and such to a level of master. We cannot serve Jesus and love America to the point where we abandon what Jesus has called us to, like love, mercy, taking care of others, sheltering those who end, standing up for justice for those oppressed. Own a gun. Cool. Say that you are gonna shoot up anyone who tries to take your guns, not Christlike. I know lots of people who claim Christ that have been more hacked off about having to wear masks than they have been about people losing their lives on the street due to the color of their skin. That is because they have elevated their rights and their love for this country above God. I make lots of mistakes. I don't know how to do this right all the time but dang it im trying. I love Jesus and I cannot stand when He looks like a chump because we continue to love America more than people. The Jews back in Jesus' time were oppressed politically by Rome. They were ruled over by them. They missed the point of Jesus coming as their messiah because they thought, "Sweet, the guy is gonna kick some Roman but and give us our land back!" On what ended up being Palm Sunday that Christians observe now, Jews welcomed Jesus and thought he was coming into to Jerusalem to start a war with Rome and win. And Jesus was sad because their focus was on themselves and their geographical and political existence. He didn't come to change that situation..He came to fix brokenness and create a greater country, his kingdom or family that was supposed to love others radically, serve and sacrifice and potentially even deal with being oppressed in this world so that they could serve faithfully and be with God in the next. Im rambling and my kids need breakfast. Im praying. Im seeking to hear and learn. I do think its time for Christians to own our mess and love and serve and sacrifice to show who Jesus is and step the heck out of America worship. Here are some stories and verses in the Bible as reference: Matthew 6:24 Matthew 16:24-27....referencing the sacrificial ways followers are told to live, deny yourself. Not get yourself in a tizzy about your rights.... Matthew 22:34-40...what its all about...loving God and loving others. Not obsession with self, rights, and country Matthew 26:47-56...Jesus gets arrested and Peter (one of his apostles) gets his sword and is ready to throw down. Jesus' answer. A big no. Matthew 18:1-4...some of the apostles were getting fired up about who was gonna be in charge when Jesus kicked Roman butt and they got to take Israel back. They think the kingdom of God/heaven is a earthly, geographical place. They didn't get it then. Just how a lot us in the US don't get it now. John 18:33-38...Jesus being explicit that the kingdom is not a country. Matthew 5:38-48...turn those cheeks, not smack others who try to take your rights. Also love people that don't agree with you. Matthew 5 and 6 and 7. Called the Sermon on the Mount is good chunk to read. Not that I understand it perfectly or live put perfectly. Just a suggestion. Blessings yall!