Hence why I said "to the point where it appears to be normal".

And believe me, reciting the pledge of Allegience every day normalises nationalism. Heck, I didn't even realise till I was older, that Primary schools (equivolent to Elementary schools) normalise Christianity, and I find it sickening today.

We only sing the national anthem at sporting events.

There are those atheist groups that are trying to ban the Pledge of Allegiance because it is going against the separation of church and state. Heck, here in Illinois we had a "moment of reflection" every day. I didn't mind it (I am a Christian) but the atheists and agnostics found it wrong.

Whoops, sorry about double-posting.

Most public schools don't even let their studnet's say "God." The only schools that normalise christainity are Catholic schools.

I think you're getting confused there.

I was saying that American schools normalise nationalism. I then provided an example of how normalisation with the British education normaling Christianity. I wasn't saying American schools normalise Christianity.

Do you go to a public school?

No. I go to a Catholic High school.

Interesting article:
http://www.acfnewsource.org/religion...sm_prayer.html

and another:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...17/ai_80900391

Anyways, back on topic: I fear for the world if another republican got in power.

There's nothing wrong with Nationalism. It's just pride in one's country.

But I do agree with Squall on another Republican being in power. And especially McCain!! It would be a nightmare for me if he stumbled upon the White House.

There's an old saying: "Pride comes before a fall".

Also, pride is one of the 7 deadly sins.

Basically thinking one's [insert something here] is best is concluding that everything else is worse. Considering so many Americans (not saying any on this site) have little knowledge outside of America (or at least accurate knowledge), yet concluding their country is so much better than anyone else is ultimately flawed. Likewise, generalising overall is ignoring the diversity of both inside and outside specific groups of people. Nationalism denies this to the point where it ignores or plays down it's own problems and plays up foreign problems.

says the guy who finds christianity "sickening"


i find there's nothing wrong with nationalism. why shouldn't people be proud and enthusiastic about where they live?

wow ! just wow ! Go watch your nascar and drink your moonshine then go hunting then after that go home with your cousin and just make sure you use protection cuz we dont need any more ignorant people like you in this world.



Obama is the best candidate. Mccain is old and isnt a good leader for this country. Im just glad Clinton is pretty much out of it.

And if Mccain does win its not cuz he is deserving its because some parts this country are still living in the past.

The US is the best country on this planet. It has problems but what country doesnt.

You have a problem with saying the pledge of Allegiance everyday ? I can understand the word " god " being a big deal to some,
but the entire thing is a daily reminder we live in a FREE country.

Having pride in your country doesn't mean thinking it's the best, it just means that you are glad you live there. Thinking your country is the best is irrelevant to nationalism.

No, I find indocrination in children sickening. I find Christianity a personal choice, one that I believe should be taken by those who can think about religion unbiased. The fact that if you grow up in America, you're likely to be Christian (aetheism aside), whereas if you grow up in say, Saudi Arabia, chances are, you'll grow up Muslim. It's the fact that religion is normalised in each of those countries which create the norm for children growing up, which creates the norm (and stronger imperitive) for the adults of that country.

Because, when you get to the heart of nationalism, it's all about your country, and never about society as a whole. Nationalism, also especially in the UK, also lends itself to a sense of nostalgia, which quite frankly, worsens the situation.

Not really. Being glad you live in a country is basic appreciation of the comforts that country can afford. I appreciate the comforts that the UK has, but I'm not proud of the UK. Other countries have the same/better levels of comforts. Having Pride in your country denotes a sense of "gotta keep it good", which implies that there are other factors which dilute your country. The antonym of pride is shame. Both are equally laden with connotations of change - reprive the shame, maintain the pride. Thinking your country is best is what is part of nationalism. Take navare for example, he's proud of the UK. He doesn't say anything really about the standard of living.

Besides, nationalism in general breeds ignorance to the rest of the world. Take for example, the lack of concern many Americans have for what is done in Iraq or Guantanimo Bay, essentially because they're told that it's in America's best interests. And for the humanitarians in America, they're told that it's for the good of Iraq.

Another example, is the ideology that the US and UK (western world) should be allowed to have nuclear weapons, whereas it's enemies not. Heck, it's what the Cold War was all about, another superpower that could say no to America. If two people have guns and hate each other, chances are they will end up killing each other. But if they're equal, why should one be allowed a gun?

Soz for the rant. Off to bed anyway. Good Night.

Because nationalism led Hitler to invade Europe. Nationalism led Napolean to (again) invade Europe. Nationalism led Stalin to (yet again) invade Europe. It's fine to be patriotic. But most people draw the line when they're so far up their country's bottom they can't see daylight.



Any proof? Or is that you biased opinion? Any Scientific evidence that suggests the US is the greatest country? Well, I don't know about greatest, but that is proof that America suffers one of the highest levels of adult obesity in the world.

I am a patriot. I'm by no means declaring Britain the greatest country in the world. It may be my favourite (excluding Canada, Japan and China), and I appreciate that. I may be proud of my heritage but I've never suggestes it be greater than anyone else's. (Well, maybe when I was younger...)


This. Although I must say our standard of living is bloody brilliant. Free healthcare, top education... what someone like BR3N7 could only dream of.