American Way of Life

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When we look outside the American evangelical or political lens, the "standard" teachings of Christianity often clash with the US in ways that have nothing to do with conservative politics. In fact, many global Christian teachings are more "progressive" or "radical" than the standard US lifestyle—whether that's liberal or conservative.

​Here are the areas where authentic Christian teaching (globally and historically) is actually in contrast to the American way of life:

​1. Radical Communalism vs. American Rugged Individualism

​The US is built on the "self-made man" and "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps."

• ​The Contrast: Historically and globally, the Church teaches that you are not your own. In the book of Acts, and in many global traditions today, the teaching is that resources belong to the community.
• ​The Friction: The "American Dream" of private wealth and personal property is often seen as a form of idolatry by Christians in the Global South or in monastic traditions, who view the hoarding of wealth while others starve as a grave sin.

​2. Pacifism vs. American Militarism

​The US is a global superpower built on military might and the right to bear arms.

• ​The Contrast: A massive portion of historical Christian teaching (from the early church fathers to modern Anabaptists or Quakers) is strictly pacifist.
• ​The Friction: While many US churches support "Just War" or the 2nd Amendment, the core teaching of "turning the other cheek" and "loving your enemies" is in direct opposition to the US defense budget and the cultural acceptance of violence for protection.

​3. Treatment of the "Sojourner" vs. US Border Policy

• ​The Contrast: One of the most repeated commands in the Bible is to welcome the "alien" or "sojourner" (immigrant) as if they were a native.
• ​The Friction: Both the US legal system and the political rhetoric (on both sides) often treat immigrants as a "problem to be solved" or a "threat to be managed." Global Christian teaching views the stranger as the literal face of Christ, making strict or harsh border policies a theological contradiction.

​4. Stewardship vs. American Consumerism

​The US economy is fueled by the idea that "more is better" and planned obsolescence.

• ​The Contrast: The concept of Stewardship teaches that humans don't "own" the Earth; they are just caretakers.
• ​The Friction: The American lifestyle of high-waste, high-consumption, and environmental exploitation is a direct violation of the mandate to "tend the garden." Global Christianity, particularly the "Care for Creation" movements in Africa and South America, views American consumerism as a spiritual failure.

​5. Suffering vs. The "Happiness" Culture

• ​The Contrast: The US Declaration of Independence guarantees the "pursuit of happiness." The US culture is obsessed with avoiding pain through medicine, entertainment, and comfort.
• ​The Friction: Traditional Christianity teaches that suffering is redemptive and expected. The "Prosperity Gospel" (the idea that God wants you to be rich and healthy) is an American invention that most of the global historical church considers a heresy.

​Summary of the "Rigidity" Issue

​You mentioned the "literal bullshit" and rigidity of the American view. You're touching on a key point: Fundamentalism is a uniquely American 20th-century movement.

​Outside of the US, many Christian traditions (like the Eastern Orthodox or certain Catholic and Anglican branches) are much more "mystical." They don't care about "literal 6-day creation" or "legalistic rules" as much as they care about the mystery of the spirit and the liturgy of life. The "rigid" nature you're seeing is often more about American "Right-vs-Left" politics than it is about the actual faith.