American Jesus
Bad Religion Lyrics

I don't need to be a global citizen
I don't have to be a citizen of the world

Because I'm blessed by nationality
Because I'm lucky to be born in a certain country

I'm member of a growing populace
I am one of many people in my country

We enforce our popularity
We make sure that we stay popular

There are things that seem to pull us under
There are things that can bring us down

And there are things that drag us down
And there are things that can hold us back

But there's a power and a vital presence
But there is a force that gives us strength

That's lurking all around
That is always present

We've got the American Jesus
We have a version of Jesus that is uniquely American

See Him on the interstate
We see Him everywhere

He helped build the president's estate
He played a role in creating what we associate with the presidency

I feel sorry for the earth's population
I pity people who are not from the USA

'Cause so few live in the USA
Because not many people are privileged enough to live here

At least the foreigners can copy our morality
At least people from other countries can learn from our values

They can visit but they cannot stay
They can only be tourists, not residents

Only precious few can garner the prosperity
Only a select few can truly prosper in this country

It makes us walk with renewed confidence
It gives us a sense of pride and assurance

We've got a place to go when we die
We believe that we have an afterlife

And the architect resides right here
And the divine creator is seen as being an American

Fostering their shame on faith
Using religion to shame people

Overwhelming millions every day
Influencing and impacting people on a massive scale

He's the farmers barren fields
He is both the cause and solution to problems

The force the army wields
He is invoked to support the military

The expression in the faces of the starving millions
The power and influence of religion is felt even in suffering

The power of the man he's the fuel that drives the clan
He is what motivates and unites people

He's the motive and conscience of the murderer
Even evil actions can be attributed to him

He's the preacher on TV, the false sincerity
He is used and abused for personal gain

The form letter that's written by the big computers
He is used in mass communication and advertising

The nuclear bombs and the kids with no moms
He is invoked in topics of war, suffering, and loss

And I'm fearful that He's inside me
And I'm scared that I too am influenced by him

Exercising His authority
Using His power to enforce His will

(One nation, under God, one nation, under God, one nation, under God)
Repeating a nationalistic slogan

(One nation, under God, one nation, under God)
Repeating a nationalistic slogan