Surely Nationality ( and religion) is just an accident of birth?

Question

I mean all these dumb americans who say they are proud to be Americans. I mean, it's not as if someone approached them BEFORE they were born and asked them what country they would like to be born in?
And another thing. These redneck crackpot "Christian" americans. The ones who harp on about "Freedom". Surely if they had been born in say, Iraq or Afghanistan they would have grown up to be rabid Musilims? So surely it is all just an accident of birth?

Answer 1

Good observation.

Nationalism and religious belief does depend a great deal on what part of the world you are born into, and also the family you are born into. Education is also a big factor in there as well as the individuals cognitive aptitude.

I'd skip the condescending remarks ("dumb, crackpot, redneck") as they are merely ad-homonym attacks and do nothing to support your argument.

Answer 2

I don't fully agree, It is an accident of birth as to where you exist, but I feel honoured that I have been lucky enough to be born British. I am proud of British heritage and what it has made us. I will never emigrate to the States (or Spain, as many Brits do). I wish to live in the UK for my entire life (OK, I'll have holidays, but my home will always be Britain) I will serve my country to the best of my abilities, and defend it if needs be. I'm a patriot.

I realise, and acknowledge the fact that I could have been born in Iraq, or even the Third Word, and for that, I'm grateful, but it doesn't stop me from being proud to be British.

Answer 3

Yes, your nationality is an accident of birth but your choice of words and religion are not.

Muslims believe that this life is a test for all of us(regardless of nationality) and we are all born with a limited amount of knowlege (you can call it instinct if you want).

Our parents and our upbringing can then turn us into "crackpots" or whatever but we are still left with a certain amount of choice once we reach a certain age (usually puberty). We can then make our own choice and if we know the difference between right and wrong, we are responsible for our deeds and actions and will eventually be accountable for them.

For those who chose to think for themselves, the information to make a decision as to whether a particular nationality or religion should be insulted or avoided is available. I would advise you to think first and ask questions later....

Answer 4

First of all, if one takes a determanistic (the laws of physics dictate everything) or fatalistic (someone is planning everything) view, then nothing is to be credited to the individual, not just nationality and religion.

But aside from that, why not take pride in things that are accidental? To follow your example, I was born in Colorado - a beautiful place with awe-inspiring mountains and great people - and I have pride for my home state. It contriubtes to my identity and respect for my homeland.

It sounds like you have taken something of a determanistic view, in which the whole universe is mechanical. Do you believe in free-will? If so, then one can choose to be a proud American or anti-American, so isn't that choice significant?

Finally, your question seems borderline racist to me. Are all proud Americans (myself included) dumb? What is a redneck? Does it have something to do with using crack? Is everyone born in Afganistan rabid or is that the lone provence of muslems?

Answer 5

I cannot change the country that I was born into or the religion that I grew up believing. But this doesn't mean that I have to forever be locked into these things just because I was born into them. As an adult I am perfectly capable of moving or changing religions.

I am happy with the country that I was born into even though I have chosen to change the particular state that I live in. I have never practiced the religion of my parents, instead I chose to follow the path that feels right for me.

Answer 6

Yeah, it sure is. All part of the bigger plan in us becoming whole human beings. There's a language that surpasses nationality, religion, language and ethnicity, or any other human-defined or other quality. It's a wonderment we were born to a 'particular kind'.

So really, if people were wise enough, they would know not to differentiate people on these terms, and rather on more permanent, enduring qualities of worth.

Answer 7

It is all an accident of birth. But personally, I don't share the racist and misogynistic views which my family tried to instill into me. You have to make some room for individual choice.

Answer 8

Absolutely right! Religion is wholly a psychological phenomenon, the particular version of which is culturally determined.

Answer 9

its the *ownership* of your race religion or nationality that keeps a division from other human beings .... belonging to a different pack of wolves to get thier support in a fight

Answer 10

close...its both birth and parents who bring their children unwittingly into the fold.....think about Christian pre school, Bible schools, Church, etc etc.
In the end its the IGNORANT parents who are hurting their children....much like the parents of the past who smoked and drank to excess.