City on a Hill

I believe that it is statements like these by a former President, using Christian literature to support his assertions, which must be challenged at each mention. Not only is the verse commented out of context, it is a serious question whether the President understands the meaning of the saying. It is commendable to plumb the religious direction and meaning of a society's actions. But to do this, a nation must remain vigilant that it does not mistake selfish goals for higher spiritual ends. The Christian message includes a call to universal brotherhood. To identify the United States as somehow superior spiritually and morally does not reflect this message of brotherhood since it sets up a specific, local socio-political arrangement as somehow transcendent and beyond question.