My children are always teasing me when I ask a question, saying, “Dad . . . just Google it!”
So, I did. I typed “expectations of citizens” in my browser and about.com listed the following Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens:
- Support and defend the Constitution.
- Serve the country when required.
- Participate in the democratic process.
- Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.
- Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.
- Participate in your local community.
That’s an excellent list! What would America look like if we all did this? Our nation would be transformed! How? Because, to support and defend the Constitution, you must study it. To participate in the democratic process, you must be an informed voter. To truly respect others, you must get to know them. To shape the future of your community, you must engage with your neighbors.
What I found most interesting is that those seeking to become U.S. citizens are also expected to do these things: “As a new U.S. citizen, it is your duty to give back to your adopted nation by fulfilling these responsibilities.”
At Family Policy Alliance, we educate and equip American Christians to engage as biblical citizens. We call that unleashing citizenship. We take this responsibility seriously and through our alliance of nearly 40 state-based organizations, we are seeing results.
Those born here often take their citizenship for granted. Yet, those who sacrifice to come to our shores and lawfully seek citizenship understand it’s their duty to give back.
May we all embrace this duty with a little more diligence?
Paul Weber
President and CEO
Family Policy Alliance
