What is the importance of patriotism?

Question

What's wrong with "rooting" for everybody, not just in your country, but in the world?

When it comes down to it, don't we all play for the same team?

Answer 1

Its just another way for people (American's especially) to show how much superior they feel they are, compared to other countries. You can put all the flag ribbon decals you want on your car, but sorry folks, that doesn't mean you're a good patriot. The GWB administration has turned this into a political divider, reminiscent of the cold war, or similar to Hitler's methods. Divide and conquer, and anyone who questions your motives must be unpatriotic or a traitor.

When I see bumper stickers that say "God Bless America", I seethe inside. That's like saying God Bless America, and to H.ell With Everyone Else. This is the best way to describe the problems with American's, this kind of singular thinking, dismissive of the world on a global level. American's are so caught up in psuedo patriotism (flags, lapel pins, etc.), rather they 'display' their 'patriotism', when in real life most do nothing to help their fellow American's. Sad sad sad. Yes, I am American, but I am FAR from 'proud' of our country at the moment. Go Canada!!! LOL!!!

Answer 2

It's an important first step in a person's discovery of the world. But at some point people need to put it aside, as they become more mature.

One of the "national songs" of my country says something like, "my country is better than any other country in the world." What rubbish! There could never be a country that would be better than all the others. Except perhaps in the movies. All countries have their good and bad points, and unconditionally supporting one's country whether its actions are good or bad is just morally wrong.

Answer 3

its like a rule that when heard or read, it makes you ponder on things you've done and not done for everyone and everything. Its like a responsibility!. If only everybody live with it then there will be no man-made problems like what we've had now. There will be no corrupt politicians or individuals. Everybody would have been doing something for the common good! But well, its something impossible thus, needs great miracles to happen!

Answer 4

We live in a country that has many freedoms and it takes personal responsibility to live here and to defend these freedoms from those who would like take them from us. We are fortunate to be living in this country that allows you to worship, read, write, and be critical of our government without the prospect as in other places of being arrested for exercising these activities. I an 2ND generation American, and I was made very aware of the difference between the United States and the old country as my grandmother called it. She left eastern Europe with a book that described Iowa as a place to be a land owner with hard work,and make a better life for her and her future family. She was so proud when she was made a citizen of our country. She told my brother and I what life was in her old country, and she was very adamant that we knew how lucky we were as citizens that didn't have to starve and grow old before your time living with hunger and fear of the government taking everything you had worked for when ever they pleased. She was proud of her brother who wasn't even a citizen yet joining the army in 1917 and fought for freedom. And when my father was in the first national guard unit federalized and went off to an army camp in early 1941 afraid of losing him, but proud that he would fight for those same freedoms. Patriotisim is not required, or to possess. You feel the strength of a free society when it is under attack by those who would deny us the very heart of our freedoms. And hate us because we have what many others would fight and die to possess, Gathers citizens that will fight and die to protect from those that try to take away our way of life. That is why pariotsm is important, Freedom isn't free, which the blood of our citizen soldiers shed for others freedoms is a stark reminder.

Answer 5

Being proud of the country you live in; for the good has done for other nations; for the good it has done for you; appreciating the fallen hero's that if it were not for them we may all be living in a Hitler run world or even worse. Yes, patriotism is equal with ones spirituality, it goes to the heart, and I am one who is not ashamed to say, "I am proud to be an American"! I love this country, I have served this country, and even with all its faults it is the greatest nation on planet earth bar none.

Answer 6

i dont think it is important anymore. It is something our grandfathers and great fathers used to believe in but these days it's more of an act than anything else. People r not really genuine about it the way older people used to.

Answer 7

"Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism -- how passionately I hate them!"
Albert Einstein

"Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons." --Bertrand Russell

"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it."
George Bernard Shaw

Answer 8

The impotance is believing in your country imagine if you had a big game in what ever sport and you didnt believe in you team than you would lose becuase you would't be pumped about winning samething applies to the country.

Answer 9

I think it gives you a sense of identity and possibly a grip on where you have come from.
Patriotism is not a problem for me but nationalism certainly is a problem.

Answer 10

Be patriotic but not fanatic it's good cause it means that you love your country!