Since some of the Americans on this forum are saying that we are all wrong to criticize their government and their country, maybe they would like to define themselves.
ElPolaco said:I don't think I'm the one to define what an "american" is because I've been so often accused of being "anti-american" (don't know how, some of my best friends are) or "unamerican". I've been told so often to leave the country (though no one yet has offered to buy my ticket nor pay my moving exspenses). Since I'm a devout Catholic, I'm on the conservative side of the culture wars. I'm only on the left in the areas of economics (personalist with strong socialist tendencies) and foreign policy (pacifist, internationalist). The main identifying characteristic of an american that I can determine is his/her intense, cult like nationalism(Nationalism or patriotism?). This is so strongly ingrained in the american mind-set. We are even expected to pray to the flag.
I think not said:ElPolaco said:We are even expected to pray to the flag.
Would you mind elaborating on that last comment.
Vanni Fucci said:I think not said:ElPolaco said:We are even expected to pray to the flag.
Would you mind elaborating on that last comment.
I pledge allegiance to the flag, and to the republic for which it stands, blah, blah, blah...would this not be considered a prayer?
Reverend Blair said:I'll tell ya...I went to Catholic school and they made us pray to their god every morning. When I see kids on TV reciting the Pledge og Allegiance I know exactly what they are doing...praying.
Reverend Blair said:Can you define yourself, I think not?
Reverend Blair said:I'll tell ya...I went to Catholic school and they made us pray to their god every morning. When I see kids on TV reciting the Pledge og Allegiance I know exactly what they are doing...praying.
Reverend Blair said:And how do you reconcile that with the actions of your government since 1980?
Well give me a topic or is it all up for grabs?
They're not praying.Reverend Blair said:I'll tell ya...I went to Catholic school and they made us pray to their god every morning. When I see kids on TV reciting the Pledge og Allegiance I know exactly what they are doing...praying.
Why would you be surprised that they'd pray at a Catholic school?
Well give me a topic or is it all up for grabs?
Reverend Blair said:Why would you be surprised that they'd pray at a Catholic school?
I wasn't. I was pointing out that I know a class full of kids praying looks like. When I see those kids doing the Pledge of Allegiance it is clear to me that they are praying.
Well give me a topic or is it all up for grabs?
How about illegal wars and invasions? Don't restrict yourself to the overt ones...you should try to justify the covert ones. While you are at it, why not justify the school of the Americas?