"God Bless America"

[© tweed]

what is "God Bless America?"

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I've always seen it as a request.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

A platitude, generally.

[Sensei]

A platitude, generally.

[Boris]

probably a demand. that seems to be how we roll

[Person Man]

Depends on the context, but when it is said in a defensive or arrogant manner, it is a demand that God support the speaker's asertions.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I see it as a request.  Though, some could view it as an "arrogant request", meaning that God should bless us above other countries.  In my mind, the better request would be "God have mercy on America", which is our plea for God to stay his hand of judgement on how bad this country and this world have largely gotten away from His principles which He gave to the founding fathers.  I believe right now, with the spiritual decline that America is in, our founding fathers, whether they were Christians or not, are probably rolling over in their graves.

[Person Man]

I see it as a request.  Though, some could view it as an "arrogant request", meaning that God should bless us above other countries.  In my mind, the better request would be "God have mercy on America", which is our plea for God to stay his hand of judgement on how bad this country and this world have largely gotten away from His principles which He gave to the founding fathers.  I believe right now, with the spiritual decline that America is in, our founding fathers, whether they were Christians or not, are probably rolling over in their graves.

I will agree with that, but probably for MUCH different reasons than you do.

[Jake]

A truth, at least if you accept a creator.

[JSojourner]

Hmmm...good question.

It should be a humble request.

It is usually a simple platitude.

It inevitably becomes an arrogant presumption.

[Person Man]

"God Give America Strength" sounds good.

[opebo]

Other:  a political statement designed to exclude non-christians and assert christian dominance.

[MODU]

I've always seen it as a request.

[Franzl]

basically it's misused because, unfortunately, it's impossible to be elected to any office without being considered "patriotic".

Equally unfortunately, it's considered patriotic in this country to put your hand on your heart during the Pledge, wear a flag pin, and yes, say "God bless America" every chance you get.

Real patriotism is pretty much ignored.

[Bay Ridge, Bklyn! Born and Bred]

meaningless jargon

[© tweed]

Real patriotism is pretty much ignored.

'patriotism' is a bad thing, real or not.

[Franzl]

Real patriotism is pretty much ignored.

'patriotism' is a bad thing, real or not.

I disagree. Artificial, superficial patriotism is a bad thing. If patriotism really means believing in your country and doing your best to make it a better place, because you love your country and its people, I don't see how that could possibly be a bad thing.

What is bad is creating things that supposedly make one patriotic or unpatriotic. Like the things I already mentioned.

[© tweed]

Real patriotism is pretty much ignored.

'patriotism' is a bad thing, real or not.

I disagree. Artificial, superficial patriotism is a bad thing. If patriotism really means believing in your country and doing your best to make it a better place, because you love your country and its people, I don't see how that could possibly be a bad thing.

because it leads you to place value into a superstructure somewhat arbitrarily (based on place of birth, oftentimes) and thus sacrifice either your own or the common good in the process.

[ChrisFromNJ]

Other:  a political statement designed to exclude non-christians and assert christian dominance.

[J. J.]

I've always seen it as a request.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[specific_name]

other - an alternative to to "cheers" or "I'll drink to that." Really, it's the same thing as any public prayer with political motivation. A pseudo-religious pronouncement made in order to encourage patriotic sentiment and cause the receiving audience to believe that the speaker shares a certain value in common with them. The value in particular is never really nailed down, I suppose that's the genius of it. There are many other types of pronouncements which fit the same purpose throughout history.

[memphis]

A platitude, generally.

A very cynical one at that.

[Eraserhead]

Other:  a political statement designed to exclude non-christians and assert christian dominance.

I was just going to call it a silly saying but I kind of like opebo's reasoning here.

[afleitch]

It's use today certainly contrasts with the once in vogue historical allegory of manifest destiny.

[??????????]

It's use today certainly contrasts with the once in vogue historical allegory of manifest destiny.

Manifest destiny is wonderful.