What would you say to someone who doesnt support nationalism?

Question

An old friend posteda message today on a blog about what are we really celebrating on the 4th of july.. and it offended me.. please tell me your opinions. thanks:
On this July 4, we would do well to renounce nationalism and all its symbols: its flags, its pledges of allegiance, its anthems, its insistence in song that God must single out America to be blessed.

Is not nationalism — that devotion to a flag, an anthem, a boundary so fierce it engenders mass murder — one of the great evils of our time, along with racism, along with religious hatred?
Our citizenry has been brought up to see our nation as different from others, an exception in the world, uniquely moral, expanding into other lands in order to bring civilization, liberty, democracy.
That self-deception started early.
We see in Iraq that our soldiers are not different. They have, perhaps against their better nature, killed thousands of Iraq civilians.some soldiers have shown themselves capable of brutality, of torture...

Answer 1

I think that this is a very narrow viewpoint. Being devoted to ones country does not have to be a negative thing. Now granted zeal ousts have a tendency to make a country look bad and yes, we have plenty of these in the US too. It's not a country willing to do things it's people. Maybe a corny cliche or bad metaphor but as the old saying goes guns don't kill people; people do. I think the message gets lost in anti-nationalism about governments, flags, and symbols VS focusing on discussing the real issue which is the nature of humankind. It's great capacity to do both good and evil regardless of nationality, creed, or gender. As they say it only takes one bad apple to make the whole look bad and from there the profiling begins.

Answer 2

The wonderful thing about our Constitution, and perhaps the single most important, is that I can say what I want about how "I" feel, and you cannot have me arrested for it beause I don't agree with YOU. There are many things this nation engages in that I disagree with vehemently. No. 1 on the list is invading a foreign nation who has not brought hostile action against our shores. No. 2 would be the taking of human life, and then telling me you believe life is sacred from conception to natural death.

You are idealistic. The world around you is realistic. Join the real world. Think about what you are saying, and the consequences behind your wish to make everyone see, speak and think alike.

Answer 3

I would say your friend is in good company and may have been reading "The World As I See It", by Albert Einstein. Einstein saw the effects of nationalism run amok in Germany during the 1930s.

Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind. Albert Einstein

Nationalism, on my opinion, is nothing more than an idealistic rationalization for militarism and aggression. Albert Einstein

He who joyfully marches to music rank and file, has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would surely suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be a part of so base an action. It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder. Albert Einstein

Answer 4

I think perhaps your friend differentiates between nationalism and patriotism as Orwell did: "According to Orwell, nationalism is the habit of identifying oneself with a single nation or an idea, and “placing it beyond good and evil and recognizing no other duty than that of advancing its interests.” Orwell defined patriotism as “devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life, which one believes to be the best in the world but has no wish to force upon other people.”

Answer 5

Let me put it this way:

My family escaped Islam in the 1950s.

I have read all of Islam's holy books. I know the culture well.

I am a democrat. I am a patriot. I am respectful to my elected representatives, our military, our police, etc.

We've been expecting this war for decades.

If you belief that blog, you know nothing about Islam. Do some REAL research. Read their holy books, read their history, read their culture and social traditions and how they deal with non-Islamic people.

They aren't that different, but what difference there are they want to force on you, or kill you for not following.

Not me. Never.

I hope Islam survives, but not at the cost of our freedom.

Answer 6

You misplaced me at remarkable-race. Much of what you are speakme approximately has been attempted. Ever heard of a man named Hitler? It was once disgusting whilst he mentioned it, it is nonetheless simply as disgusting 70 years later. Taking away men and women's rights, freedom and liberty is fallacious, regardless of if you are enforcing insurance policies of the "proper" or of the "left." "I wish to gain this through having selective breeding of people (just like the selective breeding that has created remarkable-quick puppies (greyhounds), giant puppies (fine danes), combating puppies (pitbull),and so forth.) I will search to make use of developments in remedy and selective breeding to prolong the ordinary human lifespan to one hundred twenty years or probably 200years or extra." Uh-huh. Let me wager--your remarkable sperm will likely be used to impregnate the females of your opting for, proper? And you are going to be so self-sacrificing that you're going to impregnate them the least high priced manner viable, which means, the ancient usual manner, now not in a laboratory, proper? Seriously, get a existence.

Answer 7

I don't support Nationalism. So what will you guys say to me?