I don't blame the south. On the contrary it hurts me to see them removing statues and flags and monuments as they have been doing recently. My own family's history in this country was all in the south as well.
I blame the ones who are picking on the south just as much. The war was unnecessary and unfortunate if inevitable. This has always been the way of men. Men on both sides pushed to get their own selfish ways. Probably then as now, few men really knew or cared about what was best for the nation. No one I would say, could have stopped it. Perhaps not many really tried... to stop it that is.
If our only, or primary, interests were in this carnal world of men, probably I would be on your side with regard to preserving the monuments, but where I am now, what good would that do for anyone ultimately?
As they were in 1860 both in the south and in elsewhere in this nation today people are claiming to be on God's side while being fully opposed to one another. I am not telling you or even recommending that you cease and desist. Rather I am asking you to consider what you expect to accomplish for either here or for any hereafter? I usually avoid this subject because I see nothing ahead but more bickering and politics and personal agendas with no good end no matter who wins... if anyone can. Like in the conflict with real physical war beginning in 1860 most, if not all, today people south and north and east and west would be losers as they were that first time. What side should we be on other than the Lord's?
The only real hope I see for anyone is in trusting God no matter what happens in the natural setting.
No, I don't ask you for silence, but consider the reality of the situation. For what it is worth as I have said I agree with you on your stand against removal of monuments but I don't believe it can be stopped now.
For me as I have often told my wife, I am glad we are as old as we are. This means we are less likely to be found in the heat of the worst case scenarios. Already I am too old and weak physically to do much even if that were my way. It never has been, however, been my way as I know it is yours. My focal point on God has sharpened with the years. That is where the only real hope lies... but that hope is not for this world of men nor for these United States nor even to preserve untarnished any good within the heritage of our families.
Your anger is understood for the tyranny was there and is here. Understanding that does not help a thing does it, insofar as what is actually happening today to our society? Not only those in the south but everywhere are suffering or will be suffering the consequences, sooner or later.
Apparently you derive some satisfaction and find some hope by continuing your side of the fight but for me that is a hopeless fight because there are no easily and clearly discernible good guys and bad guys, are there?
Again I am not telling you or the south to be "good little Christians". What you need to do is realize the futility of your battle. Even most bearing the label "Christian" including many southerners, as I am sure your already know, are, or will be, against you. Your opposition may very wrong, but that does not mean you are right.
Am I right to take my stand with God alone? If I did not believe it I would not be where I am, but I speak here also to hopefully make some who read this thread recognize that there really is a lot of truth in what you have said. Still I cannot and do not stand on your side. Hopefully that does not make me your enemy.
I do even see the parallel to a certain extent with the Jews of WWII. America is much like Nazi Germany already and I believe they are getting even closer, but there are some differences. One is that the assassination of Hitler at the proper moment would probably have saved a great many lives. There is no one person now whose death would make that much difference in what is happening here. I believe that if God allows it for so long the same or worse than Nazi Germany will happen here.
You are focused on the people of the South and their persecution. Your focus is too narrow. I see the whole nation and even the whole world in jeopardy. Only God could make a difference, but He will not... unless the conditions of this verse could be met:
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." II Chron 7:14
I am praying for this nation and the world, but I don't expect to see such a general humbling even by the so-called Christians. As with Sodom and Gomorrah there simply are not enough people who really would be willing to so humble themselves.
Neither do I see your stand as being correct. It is like the King of Judah and the other leaders of Israel refusing to believe the prophets of God when warned about Nebuchadnezzar and the forces of Babylon. The only way is God's Way, but you must do what you must do...