Nero is well know as one of the most self-absorbed megalomaniacs in history. He fancied himself a musician but could neither play the harp, nor keep a tune. He also thought himself an actor, but would only receive applause through coercion. He ordered his mother murdered. He set fire to his own capital city to encourage hatred for Christians. That sounds a lot like selling guns to criminals to create hatred for guns. Unlike Solomon’s humble request for wisdom to lead the people, this type of leadership is only about self.

This article was difficult to write. It will be deep, sorry about that. It will strike at our own national attitude. This is neither conservative nor liberal in persuasion. These are theological observations based on scriptural principles. The object is to apply scriptural principles to our current national climate. In principle, this is a more personal application of national Meeism. Please apply these biblical principles as general national guidelines. Of course, my personal concern is with the United States of America.

1 Kings 15:30-16:4 talks about the challenges of both Judah and Israel’s national Meeism in the time of Jeroboam and Nadab. Jeroboam slaughtered opposition family members to solidify his reign. He did not own the throne because he waded through blood to get to it. God did not tell him to kill everyone; that was Jeroboam’s decision. The practice of eliminating any opposition to the throne was common among pagan cultures. A nation that is supposed to be guided by biblical principles, Judaeo-Christian values, or chosen by God taking the path of their pagan neighbors suffers great ramifications. He lost some 500,000 troops, weakening the kingdom. His reign and house disgraced, he was ostracized.

This “dog-eat-dog” political atmosphere promotes conspiracy, anger, wrath, malice and slander. (Psalm 31:13) It results in character assassination and disunity (Numbers 14:36); viewing political opposition as an enemy to be utterly defeated, decimated and eliminated. In today’s world American leaders seldom treat our enemy as viscously as they do their own political opponents and fellow citizens. Politicians may not physically murder one another, but the words “character assassination” have meaning.

Our nation was founded upon Christian principles. Trying to deny this truth as Ahab forsook God for Canaanite gods (1 Kings 16:29-20:40) is supremely dangerous. Selfishness, evil and a tyrannical desire to control the populous dominate a leader who denies God. Israel under Ahab murdered babies born through illicit couplings. They worshiped gods immigrating with other people to promote peaceful international relations. The ruling classes abused their power. Despotism demanded dependence upon the king not upon God. Lords exploited servants and promoted debauchery, lechery and illicit sex. Josephus documents how Balak and Balaam sought to destroy Israel through sexual decadence. (Revelation 2:14)[1] The people did not resist Ahab’s blasphemous displays testifying how far removed they were from God, knowledge of God and respect for His word and its precepts was lost.

National Meeism in America, as Ahab, Jeroboam and many others did in Israel, compromises spiritual truth by believing we all serve the same God, it adopts Unitarianism. Israel’s compromised existence resulted in national slavery by Babylon in 586 BC, Medo Persia 538-636 BC, Rome (Herodian and Roman rule) 37 BC to 6 AD and others. Weakening American unity and Christianity through ad-hominem attacks and wanton disregard for Christian virtue, purity or leadership does the same. John Jay said,

“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest, of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

National Meeism in America promotes unbiblical (anti-Christian) practices to appease the populace and our allies, seeking to gather other allies absent the same principles that made America great. Our leadership denies our Christian origination.[2] National Meeism is furthered by compromising the values of our national heritage and the sanctity of the office of president of the United States.[3] National Meeism denies Christianity thinking tolerance and cooperative politics promotes international well-being. As the lacking character of Sampson caused Israel’s demise, failing character in American leadership will destroy us. Character, honesty, integrity, virtue and patriotism are important.

Just as Babylon saw a weakened Israel under Jehoiakim as they switched alliances between Egyptians and Babylonians, other nations will take advantage of confused foreign policy. When confused and contradictory alliances exist there is weakness; tyrannical nations will pounce.

National Meeism seeks appeasement in a Chamberlainesque fashion. However, just as Nazi Germany attacked because of appeasement policies, others will turn against America. By alienating long-standing allies, displaying indifference to allegiances (even blatant hostility) we endanger our sovereignty. National Meeism is directly connected to leadership and their desire to co-exist cooperatively by concession instead of through strength and fortitude, virtue and credibility. National Meeism becomes about the leader, not the nation.

Why did we not just continue marching into Baghdad in the early 90’s under Bush senior? Simple, President Bush, in order to achieve a forward base in Saudi Arabia established a treaty. One aspect of that treaty was his word that no Arab leader would be unnecessarily targeted. We honored that agreement and freed Kuwait. Because we kept our word, President Bush, Jr and his staff, essentially the same as under Bush, Sr. received the respect and confidence of the Arab world. From a national position as a president dedicated to honoring a treaty with another nation, it was not a mistake to leave Saddam alone then. When we wantonly discard agreements with nations, we become a bane, a super warlord, untrustworthy. There is great concern about financial default, but little concern given to defaulting on long standing relationships with proven allies.

International dishonesty promotes Meeism, pacifying special groups within our country ignorant of the ramifications. Absence of leadership is dangerous in our world economy. The bible says, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by Heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” (James 5:12) Ladies and gentlemen, if we want a better nation, we need to vote a Christian into office that will abide by these time-tested, tried and true precepts. The scriptures really do have answers relevant for today.