30 October 2007

patriotism (day 2)

Patriotism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Patriotism denotes positive and supportive attitudes to a 'fatherland' (Latin patria < Greek patris, πατρίς), by individuals and groups. The 'fatherland' (or 'motherland') can be a region or a city, but patriotism usually applies to a nation and/or a nation-state. Patriotism covers such attitudes as: pride in its achievements and culture, the desire to preserve its character and the basis of the culture, and identification with other members of the nation. Patriotism is closely associated with nationalism, and is often used as a synonym for it. Strictly speaking, nationalism is an ideology - but it often promotes patriotic attitudes as desirable and appropriate. (Both nationalist political movements, and patriotic expression, may, yet need not, be negative towards other people's 'fatherland').
Patriotism has ethical connotations: it implies that the 'fatherland' (however defined) is a moral standard or moral value in itself. The expression my country right or wrong - perhaps a misquotation of the American naval officer Stephen Decatur, but also attributed to Carl Schurz - is the extreme form of this belief. Patriotism also implies that the individual should place the interests of the nation above their personal and group interests. In wartime, the sacrifice may extend to their own life. Death in battle for the fatherland is the archetype of extreme patriotism.


patriotism

liberty, it seems,
is overrated

freedom, i feel,
is a bit contrived

this space we inhabit
inhibits

and the universe
holds more than our lives

you see
my livery does not define me
and your colors
i’m afraid they do run

their armor is the same
as the armor that was made
for my brother
his sister and your son

and now
pain is not limited to family
and evil
does not follow a creed

the idea that we know
how we’ll reap what we sow
is an issue
not settled by greed

so please
let your eyes roll back softly
and let your ties to security
go loose

and look
ever so closely
at the steps
that we take toward the noose

day
night
follow the lead
darkness
routing
streets
please

run
faster
escape
the path
run
hurry
breathing
last

green
emerges
yellow
must die
find
the cause
escape
the night

6 comments:

  1. Someone once told me that the primary need of all people is to belong.

    Patriotism is our way of saying we belong...but what do we belong to...and is the belonging reciprocal?

    Thank-you God for demonstrating your constant pursuit of us...so that we can know that we truly belong; belong to something (someONE)above subjective belief, value and circumstance.

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  3. Many a truck bumper sticker would argue with you...

    Belonging and group identity is not inherently a bad thing. It is important who the leader is, though. May the Lord raise up leaders who seek first the First.

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  4. not a bad thing. transcendence is again the issue.

    just another thing to be loyal to that falls short of Him.

    humans are humans are humans. all creations of One.

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  5. How much is done in the name of patriotism, for the fatherland, even in the name of the "church" when the purpose is gaining personal power?

    -- from kyle

    or how much attention is placed on being loyal to such things when christ never set that as a priority for us.

    love your neighbor as yourself. love your country as your neighbor?

    the danger, in my heart, is that we place the cause, the colors, or the principle above the Source.

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  6. Ok I read your poems and thoughts and frankly I don’t like them; not simply because my eyes hurt from trying to read vertically or because I couldn’t understand the non-rhyming parts… but because I had to sit here and think. I have fallen into your trap - just what you wanted. First I became defensive for a lot of reasons, then sad because it’s easy to ignore (1) the ills of the world and (2) the people less fortunate than me, and then … wait… what does this have to do with me? Dude, I have my own problems… but not really in the grand scheme... Now, I think, WWJD? No really – if there were enough people asking how they can be Jesus to the people around them = problem solved.

    Seek truth, love like Jesus, shine your light

    PS – I like your tees – have you come across any catsuit dealers? And Mr Gill says hello.

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