Religion is NOT a prerequisite to being a patriot to the United States of America. Nor is being conservative. I know that conservatives would like you to believe it is but it isn't true.
In fact, people that agree with the current republican conservative agenda are not patriotic at all. They resemble the nationalist-populist conduct that is and was the hallmark of nazism and fascism. Racism, sexism, genderism, monotheism, false culturalism, false indignation, false patriotism are not "American" at all but distinctly nazism and fascism.
To say that you cannot "love your country" unless
1) you love god
2) love the flag
3) are conservative
is the same tactic used by Mussolini and Hitler. Tactics like using revisionist history, making claims that are untrue but claiming them to be fact.
To be a patriot is to respect uphold protect and obey the United States Constitution. That is the ONLY requirement.
In 1969 the SCOTUS ruled that burning the flag was protected under free speech the 1st Amendment.
Furthermore, sedition laws have always been struck down by the SCOTUS as being unconstitutional and a violation of free speech.
So just because a person disagrees with a religious and conservative agenda it doesn't mean they are not patriotic. Expressing free speech is particularly patriotic!
I find it ironic that conservative like AG blab on about people NOT being a patriot because they are against the conservative nationalist-populist agenda and in the same sentence denounce the Fed. It is hypocrisy of the first magnitude.
When I voice an opinion against Donald Trump, I am being PATRIOTIC! To denigrate me for doing so (not disagreeing with my opinion but rather denouncing that I even voice said opinion) is tantamount to fascist and particularly unAmerican.
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The word "Patriotism" is loaded with historical baggage. Politicians have long used patriotism to justify all kinds of idiocy and cruelty, including wars, and like it or not, religion has historically been one of the main tools used to sell patriotism and cement people into the patriotic mindset. The British flag is a collection of crosses, and "God Save the Queen" is a Christian hymn.
"My country right or wrong" has to be a candidate for the stupidest phrase in the history of the English language.
How would you distinguish patriotism from its close cousins nationalism, chauvinism, jingoism, and xenophobia?
I like your definition of patriotism ("respect uphold protect and obey the United States Constitution"). But is that what patriotism means today in the minds of Americans? Just as the separation of church and state has been eroded in America, I think patriotism has become tainted with religion. It's also gotten mixed up with silly economic ideas like "Buy American".
I think you need another word.
Well said Algebe,
Here in Australia we are wrestling with the same jingoistic untruths from the conservative right. On their agenda is unfettered racism, misogyny, the destruction of our much envied (used to be) free medical system and subsidised drugs
Anyone who does not follow their agenda is labelled "lefty" "commo" " Latte drinking leftard" "If you hate Australia then leave" and they call themselves patriots. Our right wing politicians empower these neo nazi thugs while simultaneously destroying our civil freedoms and societal homogeneity.
@Old man shouts: "If you hate Australia then leave"
I've witnessed that attitude here in Queensland at anti-mosque demonstrations. Egged on by that demented puff-adder Hanson, they wrap themselves in Australian flags and grunt their stone age slogans. Funnily enough, one of the yahoos had actually draped himself in a New Zealand flag by mistake.
These people make Islam look enlightened by comparison.
"demented puf adder" that's another one for the collection...Love it!
Used by Basil Fawlty to describe Sybil.
1. You are wrong about conservatives. There are plenty of atheist conservatives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AINa22UR0S4
2. The rest is all liberal BS. (The part about AG is probably correct. )
Anyway.... let's get back to Atheism.... How about that, Now that you have blown your little liberal wad, we can move on.
@Cognostic
I am not wrong about conservatives. They have been apologizing for Trump instead of putting the nation first. There is no such things a "Liberal BS".
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/science/jawbone-fossil-israel.html?rr... Here is a bit of information filed today that I think will interest you
That's a bit off-topic, but interesting nevertheless.
As the article says, this individual may have belonged to group that left Africa early but then died out. It'll be interesting to see can be learned through research. One thing's for sure, this person lived a long time before god created Adam.
@AG off topic dumbass. Try and keep up!
The Isrealis probably shot them for throwing rocks.