The Evangelical American Sermon on the Mount

As an American living overseas it’s often a challenge trying to figure out just where Christianity in the United States is headed.  In Matthew Chapter 5 Jesus delivers his famous Sermon on the Mount which proclaims what his Kingdom is and who is a member of it.

But if I had to guess how the Sermon on the Mount was lived out in America interpreted through the news, blogs, and Facebook posts I see on a daily basis I rather suspect it looks something more like this:

The Evangelical American Sermon on the Mount

Blessed are the self -sufficient who pull themselves up by their own boot-straps,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 Blessed are those who petition and protest all ungodliness,
    for they will be comforted.
 Blessed are the certain & strong in their faith,
    for they will inherit the earth.
 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for others to be righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
 Blessed are the “straight”,
    for they will be shown mercy.
 Blessed are the politically Conservative
    for they will see God.
 Blessed are the Defenders of the Faith,
    for they will be called children of God.
 Blessed are those who persecute others for what they believe the Bible says,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.