Americans are fundamentally polytheists, worshiping at the shrines of many gods.
Many who call themselves Christians are as polytheistic as Hindus. We, of course, have different names for our gods of prosperity, fertility, good luck, celebrity or whatever.
Money and success have often been thought of as America’s gods. “God is gold,” “the Almighty Dollar,” and all that. But things have changed over the years. Money has been demoted to a somewhat lesser deity, though still devoutly worshiped.
America’s Top Gods
Here are North America’s seven most popular gods. By “god” I mean something (anything) in our life that commands more loyalty, dedication and devotion than the one true Living God. Not necessarily the highest loyalty, since many of us are functional polytheists, whatever we claim. But sincere and central devotion.
The question then becomes: What is your or my functional pantheon?
From the biblical perspective, of course, such “gods” are really idols. Idols that the Bible both denounces and mocks.
America’s gods today, in inverse order:
The Top 7 Gods Americans Worship - ChurchPlants
Not a very intelligent article. Wager perfect for Atheists and such, but didn't seem all that thought out.
Sports? My parents have always been big into OSU football. But never in my entire life, to this day, have I seen them even once, miss a single Sunday service, or a single Wednesday service, or a church function, or social gathering of believers, or Church Camp, or Mission trip, for the sake of a football game.
So number 1 and 2, gone. Nor do I see any problem with being a professional athlete, and being a Christian.
Fame and Celebrity? I can't say that it was ever a big thing any my family, or my extended family. It's certainly not something I have ever tried for.
Automobiles? My father had a G30 Chevy Van, 1989 I think. I drive around a 2003 Grand Marquis. Cost me $3000.
Guns? I can't think of a single church service in which guns were even mentioned. Now do we want to protect our rights? Yes. Do we want to defend our families? Yes. Is the implication here that the only way to be a true Christian, is to allow you and your family to be raped and murdered? Don't be ridiculous.
Money, Riches and Wealth? There is a certain sub-set of Christianity, called the Health-Wealth Gospel. It's kind of a joke to the larger Evangelical movement. The belief system is "G-d wants you healthy and wealthy!". It's an ideology that could only work in a wealthy country like the US. But it's not Biblical. How do you explain the fact, that the Apostle Paul, who wrote most of the new testament, was neither healthy, nor wealthy? Apparently he didn't have enough faith.... or some such nonsense.
But outside of that, I don't see Christians worshiping money and riches. Just because we support freedom from an oppressive government, and deny that stealing people's rightfully earned income is good, doesn't mean we worship it. That kind of childish logic, may work for the left, but the rest of us are not so immature.
National Security? Again, this is the logic of a left-winger. Claiming that supporting national security, is making an Idol of it, implies that the only way to be a dedicated Christian, is to provide free flights for Islamic State militants to the US. I have never believed that our government was the guarantor of our security. I have always believed that without G-d, nothing we do will provide for our security. That doesn't mean I should support reasonable policies to help with basic security. Having terrorists land in land connected countries, and just riding across the boarder, is not logical, or reasonable.
