My Country, Right Or Wrong!

[mibn2cweus]

To what extent do you suppose this kind of sentiment has shaped the state of the world we live in today?

[naomi24]

That takes me back to my question. Blind patriotism suggests political persuasion is irrelevant, so are we really talking about blind patriotism here - or something else?

[tomus42]

Replace Country with 'Religion', 'Political party', 'Family' or various other things, and it still applies. Blind allegiance to things seems to be part of human nature, so it's obviously shaped the world to a large extent.

[Theland]

An example of blind patriotism is Germany in the 1930's and the Nuremberg rallies.
Unthinking allegiance to a despot.
But very little space has been given in history to the German Resistance who worked tirelessly but ineffectually to make a difference.
We have a natural affinity to people like ourselves, but those who work to impose multiculturalism on us are ignoring our innate loyalties.
The EU is a bigger attempt to do the same, as are all politicians who ambitiously call for a New World Order, with the promise of Peace And Security.

[naomi24]

//Unthinking allegiance to a despot. //

Was it 'unthinking'? Did the people of Germany know what Hitler would become or did they perceive him, at that time, as simply a strong leader?

[Zacs-Master]

Hitler’s power was secured via a referendum (gulp) in 1934 to secure him as head of state and supreme commander of the armed forces, as well as head of government and of the monopoly party. The German people were propagandised to vote yes. Only a sixth of people didn’t ‘comply’.

[Theland]

Naomi, Yes as a strong leader, and they shared his hatred of the treaty with France.

[Theland]

Zacs, yes the power of propaganda eh?
A lot of propaganda now to be wary of, combined with the new smart phone app.

[Zacs-Master]

It’s OK Theland, you can probably tell from my posts on here, I can see thru propaganda. And there’s no way I’m getting a Covid tracker app!

[ToraToraTora]

"The point of this thread was a focus on unbridled patriotism, the widespread view that 'we are right' simply because it's us and 'no one better tell us (or attempt to show us where) we're wrong'. In my mind that attitude is obviously wrong and yet it is pervasive and damaging to us all. " - will it may be a problem in some countries but not in the UK. If the ABers are anything to go by we must be one of the top self loathers on the planet. I have often wondered if other countries have as many antis and we do.

[ToraToraTora]

ZM 09:09, it seems I have arrived on this thread after Godwin's law has come into effect!

[ToraToraTora]

theLand: "Unthinking allegiance to a despot" - describes most religions!

[Theland]

TTT - Our democracy is not perfect, but good enough to safely accommodate criticism, I think.

[Theland]

TTT - I don't follow religions.

[Zacs-Master]

Indeed, Tora. But you mustn’t led a silly saying get applied to a sensible(ish) discussion. Godwin’s law is meant to be invoked when someone cites smoothing or someone being worse/equal/better than someone or something else in comparison to Hitler, not general discussion about his rise to power. But I’m sure you knew that.

[ToraToraTora]

yes ZM, I was being lazy, didn't read the whole thread!

[Zacs-Master]

No worries, we all do it.

[naomi24]

Godwin's Law is a complete nonsense.

[mibn2cweus]

You could just as well have stopped with the first three letters there Naomi.

[Theland]

Has history not proven Britain to stand up for good moral values?

[10ClarionSt]

Imagine all the people, sharing all the world.
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too. I just made that up but it sounds familiar. ;O)