Have we become strangers in our own land (America)?

[Marooncat79]

The Peter passage is to remind us that christians are always strangers and pilgrims. Our true home is in heaven not the USA. Christians are in every country not just the USA, so this passage appeals to them as well

 

[Baptist Believer]

Have you ever read the Declaration of Independence?

Sure.

If you are suggesting that our government is based on the Declaration of Independence, then you are mistaken. The United States government was first based on the Articles of Confederation (written in 1777 and ratified in 1781) and then upon the Constitution (1789).

Moreover, public sentiment toward established religion changed dramatically after the Revolutionary War was completed. It's easy to assume that no one learned anything and that no opinions changed, but that's far from the truth.

 

[Baptist Believer]

I can agree with the first two statements, but at the same time express a mild distaste for the term "Native Americans", much preferring the Canadian "First Nation." To me, anyone born here is a native American, while "First Nation" describes well those peoples whose ancestors arrived several thousand years before the Europeans got here.

I also prefer the "First Nation" nomenclature, but I am primarily addressing a U.S. audience with my words, not our Canadian friends, so I try to stick with terms that won't make people think I'm not a native-born Texan and U.S. citizen.

 

[agedman]

I can agree with the first two statements, but at the same time express a mild distaste for the term "Native Americans", much preferring the Canadian "First Nation." To me, anyone born here is a native American, while "First Nation" describes well those peoples whose ancestors arrived several thousand years before the Europeans got here.

"First Nation" implies that there was some singular vast nation in control of the expansive lands north of South America.

There was not.

Native Americans seems to be the term the most accurate.