Pax Romana part II

I think I had too much coffee this morning. I was wound up tighter than ever for a Friday. I wrote the last post as sort of a sarcastic jab at some encounters that I have had as of late, rather from blogging or from actual encounters (Please see Vote Green for further reading). I titled this series "Pax Romana" in honor, once again, to my friend NT Wright.

Yesterday I had left my i-pod on shuffle when I went into work in the morning. When I came out at the end of the day, I turned on my car and it was half way through a sermon of NT Wright's that I had left on there some time ago. It instantly caused me to think a bit more of what was said and the application of life as a Westerner living in the 21^st century.

For those who don't know, "Pax Romana" was the slogan for the Roman Empire from about 27 BC to 180 AD. The slogan literally meant the peace of Rome. It was during this time that the Roman Empire ceased from military expansion and focused its efforts towards boarder control and warding off enemies. It was during this time that Roman became very prosperous in agriculture, economics, and military. But peace came with a price and those who were at opposition to the Pax Romana were publicly displayed on the sides of roads on wooden crosses. This peace was not meant for anyone who didn't line up with the Empire.

Pax Romana

As an American I recognize my freedom, privileges, and my wealth. I am far from the "War zones" that I hear about on my television. It is stupid how people say that I am contributing to the problem. Things have always been this way. If I want to buy a trinket made in China for 5 dollars than that is awesome! I only had to pay the price of 5 dollars which is nothing. The reason why I can afford to pay for frivolous things is because I work hard for my money. The problem with poor people is that they are lazy and have terrible work ethic. Besides, I am not going to give them any money. If I did they would probably buy whiskey. Me, I am a hard worker. Bring on the Wal-Mart, shopping malls, and convenience stores. The cheaper things are for me, the better off the world we live in. It only makes sense. If products are cheaper than it will be more affordable for poor people too. If the rich keep getting richer than it will eventually trickle down. My life is great! Child labor? Yeah, I have heard about it. I think it is terrible. I mean, if I lived in a country that had that sort of thing going on, I would be furious. America is the greatest nation on earth. God has blessed us so much. I think it is probably because our country was founded as a Christian nation. What other country do you know that gives you so much freedom? Some of the liberals would love to change all that. Welfare! What a joke! I am taxed and the money that I earn goes to help lazy people! Isn't that the church's job to help those in poverty? The government certainly shouldn't be responsible. My fear is that the liberal agenda is pushing for the degradation of marriage with the approval of gay marriage. Worse off, the liberals want to take God out of this country and stop war. War is necessary. It's not like we want war, but they force our hand. We are there to help those people in their land. It is funny how the liberals will want us to help people suffering but when we go over to their country to liberate people, they get upset and tell us we need to stop. I know that there are those who get caught in cross-fire, but that is the way things are. It is their fault that their country is in the state that it is. They were the ones who allowed the government to act in the way they do. I heard that their religion teaches them to kill Americans. It certainly makes sense. They are so desensitized to violence.