Thoughts about The 4th, as a Disabled Veteran.

July 4, 2019

Perhaps the biggest advantage of not being a 501c3 is that a church, which on multiple cites state, is automatically tax-exempt, is to occasionally indulge in political commentary. Whereas the 501c3 places "the state above the church," those who aren't subjected to this are given their due freedom, as assured by The First Amendment, and possibly the 9th and 10th, as well as those by Our Creator.

Perhaps what amazes me the most is all the talk about "support our troops" or "Thank You For Your Service." Yet, surprisingly, there are some that learn just how much, or little, that comes to mean. I, myself, tend to (when given the option) vote independent; I've voted Libertarian and Constitutional Party, as well. However, some of my fellow vets receive some of the worst treatment, when they admit to supporting Trump. I'm not a full Trump supporter, for which I won't get into, in this posting. Yet still, even I have faced hatred, for any support I offer him, at all. The question is, why?

Are we not given the Freedom of Choice? Freedom of Expression? The Right To Decide? What happened to the time when we could "agree to disagree?" How about the honest debate of facts, tempered with reasonable passion? Instead, when a side can't win with reason and facts they toss terms that have virtually lost their meaning: racist; bigot; Nazi; whatever-the-latest-buzz-o'phobic is. Instead of "stepping across the aisle," each "side" seems content to live in their own bubble, or echo chamber, and if you don't agree with them, then they don't care what happens to you...some actually want to commit acts of violence!

This is not The America I became disabled in the line of duty for. This is not The America many veteran lost limbs for. It's not The American that so many other service members lost their lives for. It is disheartening that instead of being united as One, for We are all HIS children, we are divided. I pray The Father and The Son grant us wisdom and compassion to realize the evils of this world wrongly divide us, and that He can bring us to the Salvation promised to us in life eternal.