Is there a better reason to be patriotic than faith?

Question

I despise faith, I find it anathema.

mike:
Anathema:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anathema
My meaning: untouchable, accursed, denounced
``Counter´´ to me and my beliefs.

older and wiser:
Aa. I really had to check and make sure I was using it right. I think it is a great word to review the etymological origins of. Besides my grammar was incorrect in relationship to the intent. 'Faith is anathema to me.' would be a more correct sentence.

Answer 1

Faith means "belief," "trust," or "confidence." Anathema means "denounced." It is often misinterpreted as "accursed."
If you have indeed denounced beliefs, trust, and confidence, you will be unable to find any reason (ie.; grounds or basis for a cause) to be patriotic.

Answer 2

Patriotism can be a good thing. It creates a sense of community and unity. The problem is when certain groups decide to define patriotism based on their specific beliefs or what the country 'should' be.

Our country has been significantly progressing since the civil rights movement but there are a lot of ppl who feel that being a patriot means 'keeping America the way it is'. These ppl don't like this movement of freedom for all and they do tend to base that on religion.

If you examine this group indepth, you will find that it is not that they 'really' believe you are unpatriotic. It is that they do not like what changes you want for your country. IE, a lot of us believe in more tolerance of those different than ourselves whereas this group believes tolearance means they find different things acceptable.

They use faith as an excuse to say you are or aren't patriotic because they are ashamed to state the real issue and honestly they may not even realize the real issue in their own minds. At least not to it's full extent. Which is prejudices.

Prejudices control them whether it be about their country's direction or their faith. And like I said before, they may not even be willing to admit that to themselves due to lack of self-analysis; therefore, a lot of them just grab the closest excuse = faith.

Answer 3

Faith?? What has that got to do with Patriotism. A Patriot is a person who loves his country and will defend it if necessary. However that does not mean that a Patriot would start a war!!! I am really sorry that you had to explain anathema--- schools don't teach much these days!!

Answer 4

My 5th great grandfather Capt Sam Pettengill fought and died in the Revolutionary war. He was killed at the Battle of Oriskany Aug 5,1777. He left a wife an 13 children, she was burned out of her home and left to fend for herself and her children. To me, I think being patriotic is a way to remember and respect those who fought and died so that we may have the right to freely express our opinions. Just because I don't agree with those in power today (what is going on is a great disrespect to the constitution) I still hope for and respect the idea of freedom, equal for EVERYONE. Race, creed, color, sex, or sexual preference should not even be an issue. Yes, there is a better reason than faith, and the reason is HOPE.

Answer 5

This is almost like asking whether there's a better reason to include apples in your diet than having blue shutters on your house.

Patriotism is love of and pride in your country. Faith isn't a reason to be patriotic. Being free to choose and exercise your faith might be among the reasons for your patriotism, but your personal faith, in and of itself, has nothing to do with what's great about your country.

Answer 6

If you mean "faith" in the most common intrepretation, as in "faith in god," then I consider faith and patriotism to be unrelated moral issues. If you mean "faith" as a general belief in something not based on proof, then yes there are better reasons. Ask yourself what has your country done for you and is there really any better place than your country right now?

Answer 7

Being a moral human has little to do with faith. Too many people of faith don't practice what they preach anyway.

Patriotism has more to do with:

Having a conscience and moral fiber,

Having pride in the country you live in,

Desiring to see that you and your family and neighbors have a secure place to raise your children in,

Having respect for yourself and your neighbors, even when you don't share their views.

Having pride in the history of those who came before you who were willing to fight and perhaps die that you might have what you have now.

Answer 8

Belief in what your government and country as a whole (distinguished by their behavior, not words) should be more than enough to be patriotic about without ever bringing faith into it.

Answer 9

Patriotism is the glue that keep people of a country together
against external dangers.

Remember, the grass is always greener on the
other side for some.

The word patriotism makes it easy to make
the call to action.

Answer 10

I was never too good at anathematics. Do youknow the word, anathema is very insulting to the Greeks?