It was a knee jerk reaction, I admit it, I don’t know what came over me? I’m truly sorry if you were offended.

Last Saturday night I read a poorly written article online lambasting Colin Kaepernick and his decision not to stand for the National Anthem at a pre-season football game. Maybe I was tired from a long day, but I got hot!

I’m human. I react. So I posted on Facebook what I thought was a tiny little venting of justified hot air. No big deal. I accused Colin of hating America. Not smart. That was not smart.

It wasn’t smart for a couple of reasons: 1) It wasn’t truly accurate, he didn’t actually say he hated, he was just demonstrating his disagreement. 2) It put more gasoline on other people’s hate. I am a pastor, and people listen to me. 3) It caused me to receive some very strong “push back” from well-meaning people. Yes, they said I had the right to disagree; but not put words into his mouth. Yes, they didn’t think he was going about it the right way; but they were right to say he didn’t deserve to be labeled as a “hater.”

All of this is true, So I am sorry.

But can I be honest? I am still angry about what he did and how many people think he was a hero for doing so.

The American flag means something to me. My grandfather and father defended it. My grandfather went to Germany to fight a war in the trenches – – he was even exposed to poisonous mustard gas which scarred his legs for life. So, I fume over a man who I think doesn’t understand the cost that was paid for our freedom; which I believe that flag represents. Respect for our country, our flag, and sacrifice were what I was taught by my dad.

Yes, but I am told, Colin sees the flag as a symbol of oppression. Especially the mistreatment of the black race by law enforcement. But is it? To him it is  – – so, according to most pundits and caring commentators, they tell me he has the right and moral obligation to sit.

I have the right to get angry. But really, I don’t. 

I feel like if I give my opinion with any amount of passion about any political issue I am to be considered dangerous and un-Chrisitan. You see I am part of the privileged class, white male, I vote conservative, and my voice matters little. My people have done enough damage – – we must now step aside.

I am told I don’t understand the plight of so many. I am told to forgive, live at peace, and learn to have my worldview changed by those who are oppressed. And most of all, don’t be angry! It is not appropriate, nor does it lead to any kind of reconciliation. As I Christian I really do try to sympathetically listen.

But the part about not being angry, is that true? Is anger always wrong? 

Well, if you were to look at the big issues of the day – – the oppressed group is allowed to get angry, they are even encouraged to rage. But not the privileged class like me. I am to shut up and take it. I don’t understand. How do they know I don’t understand what they are going through? How do they know I don’t really get it?

But sometimes anger is appropriate. Sometimes it is the only way people listen.

Most people will disagree with me because I am told it is reasonable people that change the world. Name me one. Jesus. Wasn’t Jesus reasonable? Does the story of the whip and the money changers ring a bell? Or calling Pharisees white-washed tombs seem reasonable?

I do not believe anger is to be used sinfully, but I do believe it does help clarify sometimes. 

My anger stems from two places:

1) We Have Become a Nation of Slogans and Not Solutions. That makes me angry, especially when the slogans only point at my privilege as the problem. My anger arises because it is the “slogan” that often increases the problem. Problems are complex, and when slogans like “Black Lives Matter”, “Blue Lives Matter”, “All Lives Matter,” are spouted, it doesn’t help. Blaming the 1% or the “Systemic Systems of Injustice” says nothing. The problem is more than racial profiling, bad cops, war on drugs, unconstitutional arrests, or even who the leader who is in office. The problem is every single individual’s heart, and I am tired of old worn out slogans that only inspire hate and divide people.

2) We Have to Stop Giving People Excuses for their Sin. Yes, poverty is horrible, police brutality is horrible, and black on black crime is horrible – – but focusing on symptoms only increase the main problem which is mankind’s rebellion against God.

Oh I know, I am too simplistic. So was Jesus.

“If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-23)

Too simplistic, not enough activism, not enough blaming power groups, not enough holding systems of injustice responsible. I guess I am angry because people don’t believe Jesus’ words of individual soul liberty seriously anymore; which for me, is the only solution to the world’s problems.

I am only responsible ultimately for myself; I am not responsible for you. I am to pray for you, be in peace with you, try to care for you, meet your needs if I can, but I can’t live your life. As Romans 14:10-12 says, “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God…So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”