Walter Maciel Wants To 'Bring America Back to Jesus'
Tewksbury resident uses his 1936 Chevy pickup truck to spread his message.
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Walter Maciel is a man of action.
When he perceives a problem, the 78-year-old Tewksbury resident and Korean War veteran doesn't waste time complaining, he does something about it. Such was the case 18 months ago when he started a Neighborhood Watch group.
And such was case when Maciel came to the conclusion that America had lost its way and needed to get back on the right track. Maciel says the problem has nothing to do with politics or international diplomacy. Rather, he says, it's a problem of the heart and the spirit.
And with that, Maciel re-tooled his 1936 Chevy pickup truck to carry a message wherever he drove -- "Bring America Back To Jesus."
Maciel's truck was on display at the recent Tewksbury Memorial Day Parade and captured a good deal of attention.
Maciel explains his message and the reason he feels it's critical to the future of the country in the attached YouTube video.
Trish Bourne
8:35 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Loving this Walter! Thank-you!!
Dave Provencher
8:42 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Amen, Mr. Maciel !!! The World is an absolute mess created by the ungodly actions of "man" brought about by ungodly hearts and spirit. Politicians and diplomacy will never be able to fix our wordly problems because they are just a reflection of those who elected them. Yes, we are the problem AND there is a solution! As you read this, you have just arrived at an important crossroad in your life ... do you continue down your current path or do you become part of the solution and change direction?
Align your heart and spirit to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!!! "The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8.
God Bless you, Mr. Maciel.
gwo
8:50 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Great job! We need more folks to stand up for our Christian values which helped make us into the nation that we are.
proudamerican
9:41 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I am proud American. I know many who do not follow Christianity but they are building this nation every day 8 - 10 - 12 hours a day making new discoveries in Biology, chemicals, electronics, space, computers, pharmaceuticals, defense... and many more. I believe we need all of them as we need soldiers to defend and make this country prosper. I am surprise to see this article here Mr. Bill G.
For me, I am trying to be a good person. I am still wondering if I need to be associated with any ( including the one that I was born into) religion.
--Proud American
SD From T-Bury
9:57 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
That's the beauty of this nation proudamerican, we have freedom of religion. You are free to worship or not to worship. I know there are plenty of people who do not have a faith who are good people. That's not the point! It's sad that in our modern times we've changed freedom of religion to banishment of religion on state land. The Consitution does NOT say "separation of Church and State." It says that the state cannot require a specific religion. You are free to worship, or not, as you please. That's a freedom Mr. Maciel himself fought for us to have. Thank you Mr. Maciel!
proudamerican
10:36 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
SD, you mentioned "It says that the state cannot require a specific religion".
Problem arises when some one chose one over other. Which one we chose from now?. I believe, Mr. Walter is associating Christianity with America. I personally like many things in Bible .. though I was not born Christian... so don't get me wrong.
What I am afraid of is groups saying my religion is better than yours and then we go down the slippery slope. I see many problem around the world that stem from people interpreting religious belief( v/s knowing).
SD From T-Bury
11:44 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
It's his perrogative. This country was founded by Christians who were trying to get away from a monarchy that, among other things, required them to belong to one specific Church. Everyone should be able to choose one over the other, that's the point of freedom of religion. The Constitution guarantees that we can do that. Unfortunately, people who don't like religion scream the loudest and twisted the words to mean that you can't celebrate your beliefs on government property, which is warped. You SHOULD believe your faith is the right one, by the way. If you don't, how can you possibly believe in it? I am a later-in-life convert to the Roman Catholic Church (grew up Methodist). Would I say "my faith is better than yours?" No, of course not. However, I do believe that the RCC is the closest to what Jesus set up for us 2,000 years ago and I believe in the RCC faith. I do think it's the "right one" for lack of a better term. You, or someone else may think differently, that your faith (or lack thereof) is the "right way." That's the beauty of America. It was set up so we can fully believe in our faith (or lack of faith) and not be persecuted for it. Unfortunately, that's been twisted almost beyond recognition now :-(
proudamerican
2:17 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
>>You SHOULD believe your faith is the right one, by the way. If you don't,
>>how can you possibly believe in it?
If it has worked for you then fine. If you ask me, " I don't believe in believing. I trust in knowing". This is to a very liberating point I have evolved after knowing about few different religions.
All I am saying is that let America be America. And do not paint her with any one religion's color. BTW, I argue the same if someone from my religion tries to do the same.
Its been wonderful and intellectually stimulating discussion with you. We can take it off line if you like. PM me if you would like to continue.
ProudAmerican.
proudamerican
2:19 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
>>This country was founded by Christians
I am fine with that. But then do you think only that mind set has made this country what it is. Millions of diverse humanity that came has contributed enormously to this country. So when people belong to any one religion (including mine) try to make claims to its(USA) greatness .. I have objection.... unless , hypothetically, they are willing to give back all that diversity has brought. Look around, including clothing that we wear, electronics that we use, computers, medicine, vehicles(there is no 100% USA made vehicle that I know),...endless list. And by your own logic, what about Natives then, we both lose to them now???
>> to mean that you can't celebrate your beliefs on government property,
To your question of celebrating religion on government property, I again have no problem as long as it is not restricted to just one religion... now if we acknowledge contribution of diverse population practicing their own religions, which all would get to celebrate on the government property?... its not hatred to any one religion. It would be a logistical nightmare to entertain all these diverse request.
SD From T-Bury
9:51 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I couldn't agree more! People need to stop being afraid to show their faith. It's at times treated like some unmentionable disease. Our society is so focused on things today and those in power are steering us way off course. Thanks Mr. Maciel! Thank you for your service to our country as well! God Bless! - Scott
Joe Bill
10:01 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I'm sure within a few hours, we'll have people posting that they are offended by this gentleman promoting spirituality and that is a major reason why this country is going down the tubes. We live in a society where people where we're supposed to say happy holiday instead of Merry Christmas because we may offend someone. We have parents complaing about students having to recite the pledge of allegiance, etc... Children are coddled and given trophies for last place. Each day we as a nation are falling behind the other countries because we are more worried about offending people rather than striving for excellence. Unfortunately, nothing I see now makes me the least optimistic about the future; however, I do appreciate people such as Walter trying to do something about it.
proudamerican
3:06 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Joe, I do not think it was just(purely) spirituality. I would have been excited as well in that case. Do Spiritually( based on rationality and philosophy) and many religions ( based on theology) go together?
BTW I am non-christian and I have no problem saying Merry Christmas to my Christian friends "AND RELATIVES". Similarly, for friends in the other religions. Because for me its just a jargon/lingo that means "my friend, I wish you well on this occasion". It should have been as simple as that but under different belief systems, we have complicated our lives... I think.
>>Each day we as a nation are falling behind the other countries because
>>we are more worried about offending people rather than striving for excellence
There could be many reasons for this. According to the USA today: Out of 34 countries, the U.S. ranked 14th in reading, 17th in science and 25th in math.
So please do not mix it with religion.
For the financial trouble, it was our(USA) corporate greed that was to blame.. no religion.
Becca Bell
10:15 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I'm a 30-something year old and never in my lifetime thought I would see such hatred towards Christianity and a blatant agenda to push it from our society, yet we are forced to accept and make way for all other culture's holidays, practices, etc. The 10 Commandments are considered offensive but the government funds so-called art depicting Jesus covered in elephant dung. Now schools are banning songs like "God Bless the USA". Thank you Walter for taking a stand. Here's hoping many follow your lead!
SD From T-Bury
10:16 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Well said!
SD From T-Bury
10:21 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Thank you to the Patch and Mr. Gillman for posting this. I wish there were more journalists like you willing to post content like this.
Melissa Gleaton
12:10 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I am a Christian, but I wonder if Mr. Maceil were hindu or buddhist, or muslim, his message of faith would be as welcomed.
proudamerican
2:34 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
That's the problem. Some one on this page mentioned "This country was founded by Christians" .. please see my answer to him/her above.
In the Video, Mr. Maceil mentioned 'United we stand'. As a proud American I want to be in that crowd standing tall, building this country strong and making it
prosperous. But if someone says only Christian stand here ( and I am not implying Mr. Maceil is saying this) then what should non-christian do?
That message is fundamentally flawed to me.
ProudAmerican.
SD From T-Bury
2:54 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I am the one who mentioned that Christians founded this country. No, I'm not saying "only Christians can stand here," and I would hope others wouldn't either. I'm pointing out that....well....Christians founded this country. A simple factual statement. That's it.
I'm all for the melting pot and for people of different ideals standing together. That's what makes our nation great.
That said, I also think that people should be able to be firm in their faith and not have to water it down for the sake of political correctness.
Like I said, I am Catholic, I believe in the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. I worship Jesus in the way that the Catechism of the Catholic Church sets up. I think it's the way Jesus wanted it.
Am I saying others are "wrong" or "bad?" No. I'm saying that what I profess to believe in, I BELIEVE in. I'd be hypocritical if I didn't. In the same way, I certainly hope that people who claim to be Jewish, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, Buddhist, Wiccan, whatever will feel the exact same way about what they profess to believe.
Our founding fathers would be horrified at the way we've repressed one's ability to profess their faith in the public arena freely, without being repressed for it.
Just to clarify. This has been an excellent discussion. :-)
debbie
3:12 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Thank you Mr Maciel.
Christian Noel
5:33 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Many of the Founding Father's were in fact Christian. The principles of modern law are based in the Judeo-Christian ethic. That fact is absolutely indisputable. Sure many people have come to this nation since 1776 to set up shop. However, the one thing all these folks had in common was the belief in a single God and despite variances in practice at the end of the day each denomination of Christianity points in the same direction. The problem is now, those who do not wish to worship (as is their right) want to prevent others from expressing their views in public. Mr. Maciel went out of his way to say that his message is not political, it is spiritual and yet the political arguments ensue. The rights we all share are ensured by the Creator whoever's "creator" that may be. It is important that our rights be viewed in that prism because if they are not the question becomes to ensures those rights? The government? If it is the government (and therefore Man) who creates our rights are arbitrary and we are doomed. The point is that the underpinnings of jurisprudence and culture come from a shared morality and for many people God is a large part of shaping that morality which served us well for 200?+ years. Mr.Maciel has never advocated encroaching on anyone's rights to not believe. He simply wants those who do believe to be able to express their views openly and without incident. His message is positive and honest. I would know I was his neighbor for 30 years.
proudamerican
9:22 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
C. Noel,
>>The problem is now, those who do not wish to worship (as is their right) want
>>to prevent others from expressing their views in public.
I disagree. No one is preventing any one from expressing their beliefs. Problem arise when some expect town/city/state/federal gov. to 'sponsor/support'
their religious cause. We have people from many religious beliefs make this nation and celebrating all their religious occasions would be a logistical nightmare and we wont be able to run any gov. efficiently.
If the poster on his truck was "Bring back Spirituality to America" I had no problem.
My point is people practicing many religion have made this country and no single religion should take credit for it. I am concerned about placing any one religion's name(including mine) in the same sentence that has America as a country.
>>his message is not political, it is spiritual
Mr. Walter's message is definitely non-political and I agree with you but please listen it again. Is it purely spiritual and not associated with any "one" religion? you tell me.
proudamerican
9:24 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
>>He simply wants those who do believe to be able to express their views
>>openly and without incident.
Sure. I support that too. But in the video message there was mention of
10 Commandments, Jesus, Christ.. and I have no problem with that too but then there was mention about America ...and I am not quite clear about "United We stand" on what basis.. is it United as an American "irrespective" of your religion,.... If you or Mr. Walter clarify with similar one line.. the case is closed for me.
BTW I appreciate Mr. Walter's service to our nation and I salute him for that and also his neighborhood watch program.
--ProudAmerican.
Steevo
10:39 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I'm not a member of any religious organization but I wonder if his message is even more criticized because he is Christian. And more agreed with. But what's the point really or, so what? He's 78 expressing sincere feelings and probably expects both attitudes in response. It's his choice. It's Bill's too if he wants it posted or a pro gay or witchcraft. And ours to post of which Bill allows. I'm like proudamerican but I don't have a problem with Bill's decision, his right or whatever, and Mr. Maceil's 'mission'. It's America.
Ken Gillming
9:34 pm on Sunday, July 15, 2012
Wow, This is the kind of patriotism we had for over 200 years. Thanks Mr. Marceil.