In response to invasion and occupation by an hostile force, what is the duty of every patriot?

Question

I am indeed non-violent, but still use whatever means are at my disposal as a patriot, including the moral force of asking my country to act justly.

Patriot is a loaded term with both good and bad connotations, largely dependent on perspective, but in terms of morals and ethics this is a primary field of motivation and ground for speaking of duty. It is found at least as far back as Plato's two Apologies.

Answer 1

Hi Fr. Al;

Great question. I attempted to answer it briefly. I checked out the US Constitution, the Declaration of Independance, and some excellent material on native american patriots; to no avail. It would have been an essay. After having read some very interesting accounts of American patriots (native American and African-american included), http://socialissues.articlesarchive.net/definition-of-an-american-a-brief-glimpse-of-patriotism.html I'm guessing that you might be looking to shed a little light on the Iraqi perspective regarding patriotism which would dictate: "If you consider yourself a patriotic Iraqi, you are obliged to do your duty and combat such an invading force (an odd assumption since I don't know you from Adam nor anything of your intent). However, it isn't really the perceived invading force which hinders (their) life, liberty, or pursuits of happiness, but, rather, the previous oppressive government / regime which required expulsion. Now that it is gone - the remaining terrorist cells aren't remnants of the Hussein regime, they're militant extremists and nationalists who think this is a 'western invasion' (you would be correct to assert that I don't know what I'm talking about here) - it is for Iraqi's to create a less oppressive government.
However, in checking back, I read Super Kitten's response which gave me cause to pause and reflect on earlier philosophical ruminations regarding liberty, prioritizing, and governmental problem-solving. Her response served to remind me that it all does revert to education, and that I couldn't answer better than she already had. Bravo! Super Kitten for President!!

An additional two cents:
I concur; it is in educating ourselves - both young and old - wherein lies the seeds of that new tomorrow where the sorrows of yesterday are no more.
How can we say we value life on the one hand, and take it away with the other? Because we only kill the 'guilty'? I saw a 4 or 5 year old childs' body lying crushed in the tread track of an armored vehicle: Didn't look too guilty to me.
I suppose the ideal patriot is one who can safeguard all those ideals associated with the more ...'action-oriented' patriots and leave everyone at the barbeque still standing and smiling at the end.
We do need to expend more effort in responses which educate and address practical needs and solutions; like fresh water, food, sanitary shelter with basic utilities, healthcare... for all

Thanks Fr. Al (and Super Kitten!)

Answer 2

Education of the public! It is the only way and sometimes we get lucky and find the people that really ask us the hard questions so as to make us think, and if we care about them we have to answer them, because to turn away from them means to turn away from us and so we have to figure out what we think and why and how to say what needs to be said in such a way that they understand. Therein lies some little bit of non violent power and influence. Listen and answer, and learn and educate!

Answer 3

To subvert it, discredit it, to destroy it, and to drive it out.

But practically speaking, in some situations, many people are helpless to do anything about it even if they wish to - for such a hostile force always attempts to set things up so that they cannot be fought or resisted - but an unjust force is not omnipotent and will fall eventually.



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Answer 4

whether Canada invaded the USA with surprising, civilizing strategies that I favourite, i could be shooting Maple Leafs. that's our legal accountability--to repel the invaders. I had to function this, as my comments above do no longer practice in elementary terms to human beings' precise to shelter. The sword cuts the two procedures. it is the legal accountability of each and every u . s . to repel invaders, and an exceptional line exists between liberater and invader. commonly, liberaters get out whilst the oppressed are liberated.

Answer 5

You've made the error of attaching a philosophy to a term like "patriot".

A person with a violent philosophy or a non-violent philosophy can both be patriotic.

Answer 6

The British came and occupied India.

Mahatma Gandhi sent them back non-violently.

Answer 7

There is no duty and there is no patriot, there is only you and your moments of life. Be grateful for each of those and enjoy.
Focus on how you would like things to be, but don't let this drag you down to the negatives, because fighting against only brings you more to fight against. This is dis-ease.

Answer 8

The question might better be phrased for you, "Father"-- how does one manifest holiness in the face of an invasion or occupation by a hostile force, and does this holiness mitigate resorting to violence as a means of resistance?