British Patriotism is now Heretical and Racist.?

Question

According to the Church of England, that is.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/08/12/nbish12.xml

So, according to this Bishop, "I Vow to Thee, My country" is heretical and racist, a symbol of Nazism.

According to the Bishop, the second verse is alright, but the first verse is.

"My country, right or wrong is not an appropriate sentiment for Christians to uphold," he said.

I'll print the first verse.

"I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love:
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice."

It was written to remember the fallen Allied soldiers in the First World War.

Did that verse seem racist to you?

I would rather be labelled a Nazi than stoop to such disgusting levels of "multiculturalism".

I say its high time the British people give up on trying to be "multicultural" and go back to their roots?

I hope we won't go without a fight...

How is that song possibly racist?

Saying "I love my country" or "I would be willing to die for my country"... Thats not racist at all!

Like I said before, the song is rememberance of the British soldiers who fell fighting for freedom in the World Wars.

You call loving and being willing to die for the freedom of your country "racism"?

You people are pathetic.

Answer 1

When the church bails on you like that, you have to search in your heart what is right and wrong.

Maybe King Penda of Mercia was right...

Answer 2

that is icky.

being against such a verse seems like a very good change for the church.

that is psychologically, IMO, a very very bad thing to say. its kinda like the people in the US who think its unpatriotic to challenge the president... its unpatriotic NOT to.

but then again, from everything I've heard about the UK the people over there aren't as hooked on that whole "freedom" thing anyway.

I think it ENTIRLEY makes sense that the chruch would be against that. it is clearly putting the country before anything else... and thats just wrong.

I woudlnt' say its racist, but more that its very dangerous.

though, saying "stoop to such disgusting levels of "multiculturalism"." does make you look racist.

edit: also, the difference between this and say, the pledge of alleigance for the US... "to the flag" "and to the republic for which it stands" are basically pledging to the principles behind it... the principles the country was founded on. this is allowing for disagreeing with the goverment and "the country" if it is no longer following those principles. ... where pledging to the country without provision, does not.

Answer 3

It's a disgusting verse and entirely appropriate to Nazism.
You must always ask questions of the people who rule the country. No country is perfect.

Answer 4

Wooo I can see America is not the only country besieged by fascists. A country's leaders can be misguided but if you keep the good of all mankind in your thoughts then, even if you are not on the side of (the majority in) your country, you'll always be on the right side. Blind obedience and nationalism were very large contributing factors to the holocaust.

Answer 5

Whats wrong with multiculturalism unless you want bombs blowing up in your cities and constant riots and ethnic rivalries. C'mon, what Trudeau did was wise because it made us 30 years ahead of the Europeans socially.

Anyways to answer you question British Patriotism could be morally wrong in some cases like the old saying "My Country, right or wrong" or any old jingoistic notions. It could be right when your proud of the achievements your country has attained in its history.

Answer 6

As an American, I recognize my country has done some things that were not right. But it doesn't change my patriotism one iota.
I love God first. And I love my country.
I Cr 13;8a