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| War by Delacroix |
What is patriotism? It is:
- Knowing and respecting the Patria’s symbols: the flag and the national anthem.
- Being proud of one’s nation: its history, accomplishments and evolution.
- Defending the country’s interests and basic traditions,
- Having the courage to criticise it whenever appropriate.
- Being worthy of serving the nation and vouchsafing for its security.
- Seeking intellectual nourishment and/or professional training to contribute to the country’s development and, thus, enrichment.
- Developing and feeding spirituality, as a means of contribution to societal order (spiritual paths offset human impulses).
Patriotism comprises a deep love and respect for a nation. Such sentiments lead patriotic citizens to comprehend that many times their territory must be shared with foreign citizens (for these help generating economic, cultural, social and spiritual wealth).
Diversity within unity is welcomed by patriotic folks.
Patriotism is being put on the scaffold to perish.
What is nationalism? It is:
- Obsessing over national symbols: the flag and anthem.
- Being proud of the oppressive segments of the nation’s history; of the shameful parts that led to eventual accomplishments and behavioural devolution.
- Rejecting cultural enrichment by neurotically holding on to any tradition.
- Denying any form of criticism towards its political line of thought.
- Serving the nation for the wrong reasons (i.e. persecuting minorities; torturing opponents)
- Seeking to exploit minorities in order to develop and enrich the country.
- Claiming that its religion is the only one true and acceptable, and deciding that members of other belief systems should be put to death.
Nationalism embodies hate and utter disrespect not only for the country, but mainly for human beings. Such negative emotions lead nationalists to be ignorant, act as imbeciles, whenever they attack immigrants, gays; change...in summa: difference.
Sadly enough (due to Islamic extremism), nationalism is coming out of the grave under the flag of national protection. Nationalism is racism, xenophobia, homophobia disguised as patriotism.
Comments
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Dissecting Society™ welcomes all sorts of comments, as we are strong advocates of freedom of speech; however, we reserve the right to delete Troll Activity; libellous and offensive comments (e.g. racist and anti-Semitic) plus those with excessive foul language. This blog does not view vulgarity as being protected by the right to free speech. Cheers
Hey Max,
ReplyDeleteThank you for delineating the differences between the two. I really hadn't thought about the differences before, but now since reading this I am wiser.
If we all understand where we have been, then we can better appreciate the ultimate price of freedom.
Well done my friend.
Freedom Cheers!
Hey Lady A :D!
ReplyDelete"Thank you for delineating the differences between the two. I really hadn't thought about the differences before, but now since reading this I am wiser."
Thank you for having read it *bowing*!
"If we all understand where we have been, then we can better appreciate the ultimate price of freedom."
So true, darling!
"Well done my friend."
Thank you *bowing*!
Fantastic comment, Lady A: thank you ever so much for it :D!
Freedom Cheers
Hey Max
ReplyDeleteGot your point and agree. I don't have a pure regognition nowdays for Patriotism, because there's lack of references; Can you point a trully patriotic person? People can act patroticaly but it will always depend of the context;
Nationalism is usually linked to the extreme politic line...our history proves that this is distructive for a society hence to a nation. It shouldnt have that name.
Every citizen should be aware of the this value and its weight and see easly some references....
all the best
Gallardo
Max:
ReplyDeleteI'm with you in most most of your points. In fact, I think the first half of your post should be part of the pledged for potentially new citizens to any country, just like learning the pledge of allegiance, or the national anthem. However, I do think your being a little hard on nationalism. But, of course, I know that you chose that particular word precisely for the fact that it is and always has been controversial. Well done - stir up the pot a little.
I would only add four cents to the subject:
Patriotism is not burning the national flag. Such an act violates the very core of my being.
Patriotism is not exploiting the majority for the sake of enriching the minority. I cannot abide by the concept of minority rule.
Patriotism is not sitting idly by while your enemies persecute, maim and kill your citizens or those who serve to protect your nation. Think twice before attacking my flag or my citizens, for retribution will be swift and unmerciful.
Patriotism most assuredly is the act of embracing the dark past of your nation, which most nations have, and using that history to build a better nation for all to flourish and enjoy.
I know that given enough time a person could think of a thousand things to say about this post. That's the fun of it all. But since I don't have time or energy for a thousand rambling thoughts, I'll end here.
Very well done, Max. Thought provoking, gets the blood moving through our veins faster than caffeine.
Happy trails.
You have made some very good distinctions, Max. Nationalism moderated by thoughtfulness can be a good thing, but when it's taken on mindlessly in a defensive mode based on widespread fear, then it becomes very destructive.
ReplyDeleteSadly, most times that Nationalism takes hold, it is used as an excuse to take liberties against the liberties of others.
I'm all for patriotism, and for nationalism IF it isn't being used to uphold and disguise insecurity and hatred.
Another well-articulated article, Max! Bravo to you for piquing our thought processES!
The greater evil are the ones that take shelter under a foreign sovereign flag and at the same time, are all to ready to pull it down and destroy all that is good, in the name of religious fanaticism.
ReplyDeleteYes, in these troubling times, I pray that mankind can live in peace sooner rather than later.
Have we not learnt from previous world wars and the like; I would like to think we have, but know better.
Take Care,
Peter
Hey G! :D
ReplyDelete"I don't have a pure regognition nowdays for Patriotism, because there's lack of references; Can you point a trully patriotic person? People can act patroticaly but it will always depend of the context;"
I could name you several truly patriotic people; but I will name you just one (that immediately comes to mind): Binyamin Netanyahu.
As for the youth (specially the Portuguese one), I don't view them as being patriotic (although they like to pretend they are), however I do sense a crescent twisted nationalism in them...odd, isn't it?
"Nationalism is usually linked to the extreme politic line...our history proves that this is distructive for a society hence to a nation. It shouldnt have that name."
I agree, it shouldn't have that name; however fascists were quick to choose it for their hardline thoughts *nodding*.
"Every citizen should be aware of the this value and its weight and see easly some references...."
Beautiful...
Gallardo, thank you ever so much for this outstanding comment :D!
Cheers
Hey Swu :D!
ReplyDelete"In fact, I think the first half of your post should be part of the pledged for potentially new citizens to any country, just like learning the pledge of allegiance, or the national anthem. However, I do think your being a little hard on nationalism. But, of course, I know that you chose that particular word precisely for the fact that it is and always has been controversial. Well done - stir up the pot a little."
A pledge of allegiance: I love it and the Left seems to have a problem with it (I don't know why).
LOL well, the fascists picked up that word first and twisted it as much as they could; therefore, when we hear "nationalism" we think of them and their attrocities first....*shrugging*...
"Patriotism is not burning the national flag. Such an act violates the very core of my being."
Hear! Hear!
"Patriotism is not exploiting the majority for the sake of enriching the minority. I cannot abide by the concept of minority rule."
Well, it depends...the majority in Germany (during the 30's and 40's) thought they were being exploited by the Jewish minority; but were they really? Because the Deutsch majority thought it was, it messed up badly.
I understand fully what you are trying to say, but you know how most people are, they immediately think we are talking about a specific ethnicity, when we are discussing nationality, national tradition etc...
"Patriotism is not sitting idly by while your enemies persecute, maim and kill your citizens or those who serve to protect your nation. Think twice before attacking my flag or my citizens, for retribution will be swift and unmerciful."
I agree.
"Patriotism most assuredly is the act of embracing the dark past of your nation, which most nations have, and using that history to build a better nation for all to flourish and enjoy."
Absolutely!
"Very well done, Max. Thought provoking, gets the blood moving through our veins faster than caffeine."
Thank you *bowing*! LOL and God knows I love caffeine LOL... ;).
Swu, awesome comment, man: thank you a million times for it :D! What an honour!
Cheers
Hi Lynda :D!
ReplyDelete"Nationalism moderated by thoughtfulness can be a good thing, but when it's taken on mindlessly in a defensive mode based on widespread fear, then it becomes very destructive."
True...
"Sadly, most times that Nationalism takes hold, it is used as an excuse to take liberties against the liberties of others."
Very well said, darling! That is exactly it!
"Another well-articulated article, Max! Bravo to you for piquing our thought processES!"
Thank you ever so much, Lynda *bowing*!
And thank you a million for your superb input :D!
Cheers
Hi Peter :D!
ReplyDelete"The greater evil are the ones that take shelter under a foreign sovereign flag and at the same time, are all to ready to pull it down and destroy all that is good, in the name of religious fanaticism."
You are so right, here!
"Yes, in these troubling times, I pray that mankind can live in peace sooner rather than later."
Amen!
"Have we not learnt from previous world wars and the like; I would like to think we have, but know better."
I tell you: one would think we'd know better by now...but we don't. We haven't learnt well enough from our history *nodding*.
Peter, bloody fantastic comment for which I thank you a million times :D!
Cheers
I am adding you to my list of best teachers Max! Anna :)
ReplyDeleteHi Anna :D!
ReplyDeleteLOL you are spoiling me, girl! Nevertheless, thanks *bowing*!
Cheers