Fourth of July should be more than explosives

By vivan_pelirrojas (Chief Contributor)
Tags: fourth of july, James River Assembly, charity

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Created: 07/05/2008
09:46 AM

The major 4th of July celebrations in my hometown of Springfield have made me think. The biggest fireworks show, I Love America, brought out 80,000 people last night. This show is put on by James River Assembly church, a huge church in my area attended by many, many college students I know.

This show has begun an all-out internet brawl on local blogging sites (click here for a taste of the comments under the news story) about the relative use of this fireworks show and this church. People are attacking the church, which has long been criticized for its practice of mandatory tithing by members, as wasting thousands of dollars on a show for publicity and fame. Others are rallying to its defense, citing its many outreach ministries. On both sides, emotions are riding high and defensiveness reigns.

Last night, at a private 4th of July party I attended, I had similar thoughts. It occurred to me that I was watching hundreds of dollars go up in smoke. Among the families there, we probably burned about eight hundred dollars' worth of fireworks.

Is it worth it? Sure, it's fun (albeit dangerous), and important to celebrate our national heritage. It's a great childhood memory we don't want our children to miss. And many college students just get a rush out of getting to play with pretty colored explosives. But is it a waste of money? Why will we spend two hundred dollars on explosives but ignore the homeless guy at the stoplight? Why will we pay money to ignite bottle rockets that last thirty seconds but not donate to churches or charities where our money will last much longer? Why will we as a society self-indulge and literally burn money, but never give it?

Next 4th of July, I have a suggestion. Don't stop using fireworks. But split half of what you do. If you normally spend fifty dollars on fireworks, next year spend 25. Give the other half to your church or a local charity. Or buy 25 bucks' worth of food and celebrate your national holiday by watching the joy on your fellow countryman's face when you hand the sack to the homeless guy on the sidewalk.  If you normally spend 500 dollars on fireworks, donate 250. You can still have fun with fireworks and explosives, but the heart of our nation is not about explosives and making a big bang. It's about caring for our countrymen, having a good heart, and wanting to help those around us.