Commentary: American Exceptionalism

Commentary: American Exceptionalism

Its Roots and Why it is Now an Issue
#1103c
John W. Ritenbaugh
Given 26-May-12; 11 minutes

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description: (hide) John Ritenbaugh, acknowledging that the concept of American exceptionalism is denigrated by secular progressive liberals, who refuse to accept the identity of modern Israel, points out that the Puritan founders, particularly John Winthrop, took this concept exceedingly seriously. In his "Model of Christian Charity," Winthrop warned that if we did not take the responsibility of the "shining city on the hill" seriously, we would indeed become a byword and a curse to the world. The French philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville suggested the strength of America consisted of freedom derived from dependence upon God. With the continuing attack upon American exceptionalism from leftist progressive socialists from Stalin to Obama, it is no wonder why the promise of freedom has been incrementally replaced by a stultifying dependence on government and a corresponding attenuation of the creative spirit.