Nationalism is the “organized religion” of the 20/21st centuries.
Religious people get a bad rap for believing in invisible things and myths, but imo, most people are not religious due to they myths, rather they seek wholeness and connection via spiritual answers and practice. I’m an atheist, but those seem like understandable desires. But more common than religion in the US is nationalism. Nationalism promotes myths like manifest destiny or American exceptionalism. It relies on metaphysical concepts of “national character” and uses political constructs like invisible borders as if it was ordained by God. It makes people literally believe that they are better or blessed for being born on one side or another of an invisible line. Yet “rationalists” denounce religion but take 200 or so years of nation-states for granted as some “natural” phenomenon. We need an atheist moment against the church of nationalism.
People from other countries are proud of their countries too, even the illegal immigrants. To tell Americans they should not be proud of their country IS American exceptionalism.
I’m using the US as an example because I live here, not saying that only people in the US believe in ridiculous national myths.
Yup, nothing special about the USA. Somalia and the USA are exactly the same. That's why you see so many Americans moving to Somalia for work opportunities.
But Wall Street and Appalachia are exactly the same? Beverly Hills and Flint MI are exactly the same?
Are you implying everyone should have the exact same outcome? How would we reward people for contributing more than others? If you’re saying equal opportunity, I agree.
As a child I would often get the pledge of allegiance and the lord’s prayer confused. “I pledge allegiance to our flag of the United States of America, hallowed be thy name...”
Stop regurgitating shit from nytimes
Oh can you link that op-ed? It’s early in the month so I might still have access to the 3 free articles they allow.
All of this really depends on your definition of nationalism. I think of it as the movement that unified Germany and Italy, pushed for an independent Poland, motivated colonial people to fight for independence, and united the Kurds together to defend their tight to exist.
Sure nationalism can be a movement, I don’t disagree. Nationalism in this sense is based on something real. inherent in that movement is - in some sense - the conception that the “nation” is decided by a group of people around some kind of goal, good or bad: gaining regional autonomy (nationalist revolutions), creating a unified nation-state that can develop an economy in competition with other nation-states (German feudal states, French or Italian provinces) or ethnic cleansing (Hindu nationalism or colonial nationalisms). However, many of these appeal to a metaphysical concept of Nation as well. But, yeah, the way I meant the term was more like French people, Russian people or people in the US today just thinking that there is an essentialist and metaphysical nation with a single character or divine\historical mission.
Wow dude. I’m an agnostic, but if nationalism is a religion then you can sign me up.
Somewhat related Ted talk: https://youtu.be/2MYsx6WArKY
I've found that many atheists have a moral and intellectual superiority complex. Atheists may not worship a God, but they sure as hell worship.
Gaya mother earth is the un sanctioned religion. The owners of the un are Luciferian.
Isn’t this the nature of social contracts? The imaginary lines are mutually agreed upon by those partaking in the social contract that forms nations. Pride isn’t a bad thing but it can run a muck.
Well it’s just the leaders or generals who partake in that agreement, no? Why should the subjects feel anything about that, let alone pride in something that has nothing to do with them... other than where they happened to be born.
In theory the subjects put the elites in place to act out their wishes. So, if you are part of the group that put someone to act as your rep, and they do something you like, you can take pride in that right? You played (albeit small) role in that.