Kim Gentes

For the last year I have been working on completing filing all the paperwork and walking through the process of naturalization in the US. Born a Canadian, I've been living in the US for the last 20+ years, paying taxes, registered for the selective service, obeying the laws and trying to contribute positively to the society and communities in which I've lived. One thing that is clear to me is that Americans are proud of their heritage of standing for freedoms and rights, and are constantly placing the values of competing agendas in contrast to those freedoms to make sure that none are violated.

I am not, by nature or choice, a political person. Being a resident alien in the US has given me the opportunity to observe and contribute to the economic ecosystem of the country, while not being involved in the political or civil process. As well as not being allowed to vote, a resident alien cannot serve on juries or be appointed to any government leadership. In a way, this has given me an "out" when I didn't want to become embroiled in contraversial political opinions and discussions.

That said, one thing that always struck me as a bit odd was the interjection of nationalism in worship community activities, events or even liturgy. I certainly understand the notion that a citizen can be proud of his country and freedoms it provides and want to celebrate those.  But is a worship service the place for that? I am not talking about political campaigning or opinion-swaying, but just nationalism in forms of honor. Things such as national anthems, pledges, and flags used in a worship community center- are these in or out of place in a building where we gather as the family of God?

For my part, I don't mind if people honor their country, have flags represented and honor those people who serve in civil or military service. I understand and respect that.  The one thing that I sometimes feel uncertain about is the idea of singing national anthems or nationalistic songs in the flow and context of a worship service. This seems out of place to me, though I certainly think it is a matter of opinion, not conscience.

On the lighter side of this discussion, I am studying for my final test for US citizenship and I learned a number of things.  I thought I would give a short 8 questions that they ask in the study guide to those of you who are interested in a bit of historical American quiz-fun.  Try to answer the following 8 questions without looking at the very bottom. Then score yourself. I'd be interested to see if these are common knowledge among US citizens (the majority of the readers on my blog are US based, but please feel free to take the quiz wherever you are from).  When you are done the quiz, for fun, post where you are from (city/state) and let us know (if you are comfortable with it) what your score was. When I took the study test myself, I only knew 5 of the 8 answers, but have learned them all through the study guide now.

1. What is the supreme law of the land?
2. The idea of self government is in the first 3 words of the constitution. What are these words?
3. What do we call the first 10 amendments to the constitution?
4. What are the 5 rights or freedoms from the first amendment?
5. How many amendments does the constitution have?
6. What are the three rights in the declaration of independence?
7. Who is one of your state's US Senators?
8. What are the 3 branches of government?

The study guide actually includes 100 such questions, which go on to include history and details of national leaders, government and details of the laws, states and territories. 

Let us know how you scored! And also, be sure to post your opinion, thoughts about how, or if, nationalism is appropriate to be included in worship community contexts.

blessings

Kim Gentes

For those who took the test above, here are the answers to the questions:  

1. The constitution
2. "We the people"
3. The bill of rights.
4. Speech, religion, assembly, press, petition the government.
5. 27 (twenty seven)
6. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness
7. varies by state
8. Legislative, Judicial, Executive