Debates
09 Nov 05
09 Nov 05
Originally posted by Bosse de NageOf course not.
...as GB Jr might say if he attempted to quote his illustrious father's words: George Bush Snr: "no, I Don't know that Atheists should be considered as citizens,
Nor should they be considered patriots. this is one nation under god."
Do atheists make poor patriots?
10 Nov 05
Originally posted by catfoodtimGood summary, but just because people have different beliefs doesn't make them all correct.
The authoritarian right would regard nationality and theism to be intrinsically linked so would view with suspicion anyone who questioned god or nation.
The authoritian left would regard the state as sacrosanct and view anyone with spiritual ideals as poor citizens.
The libertarian left would question authority per se, so view citizenship and subm ...[text shortened]... an be both useful and detrimental to creating profit.
So it depends on where you are sitting.
11 Nov 05
1 edit
Originally posted by catfoodtimI lean more toward the libertarian left. Trusting authority, whether it is Bush's (or any other politician's) or the Church's, is stupid and irresponsible. But anyone (Christian or atheist) can be patriotic.
which would you say is the right one?
i'd say a mixture - personally i think you can be patriotic despite your religious beliefs, but blind faith in your country is as frightening as blind faith in a god.
I would like to point out, though, that there is a huge difference between having faith in something and trusting authority, you can have faith in whatever you wish, if you trust authority you simply think what another person tells you to think.
Edit: I'd also like to ask everyone what they think makes someone a patriot. Is it trust in the government? love of the people? A belief that your country is essentially good, or has done good things?
11 Nov 05
Originally posted by catfoodtimI'm sitting near the librarian, and she's cute...
The authoritarian right would regard nationality and theism to be intrinsically linked so would view with suspicion anyone who questioned god or nation.
The authoritian left would regard the state as sacrosanct and view anyone with spiritual ideals as poor citizens.
The libertarian left would question authority per se, so view citizenship and subm ...[text shortened]... an be both useful and detrimental to creating profit.
So it depends on where you are sitting.