Patriotism in a multicultural society

**Anfield** · 19-May-10, 15:49

In another thread, oldmarine asked a fellow member about where his patriotism lay.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines a patriot as:
"..a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it.."

Unfortunately it does not clarify from what a patriot is to defend it from

In todays multicultural Britain, to whom does a resident of the UK owe their allegiance to?
To their country of birth
Their new country
Their religion
Other beliefs

I

**The Drunken Duck** · 19-May-10, 16:37

What do you think Anfield ?? .. seeing as you posed the question.

**northener** · 19-May-10, 16:43

'Patriot' isn't word I really like.

It's a word that I find unsettling, especially in it's negative form of 'unpatriotic'....reminds me of McCarthyism a bit too much. As in if you don't agree with a certain viewpoint or attitude to the society that you live in - you must be 'unpatriotic' and not have that societies' best intentions at heart.

Goes along with swearing allegiance to a flag, it's not something that has a place in civilian and non-governmental life IMO.

**ducati** · 19-May-10, 17:00

I would say all of the above, with the caveat that if there is a conflict of interests, an immigrant ought to owe the 'allegiance to their host country, if they feel they cannot then really they ought to consider leaving.

Having said all that, it completely contradicts the behaviour of Brits living abroad

**redeyedtreefrog** · 19-May-10, 17:17

Patriotism is thinking that your country is superior because you were born in it.

**Aaldtimer** · 19-May-10, 17:33

Samuel Johnson anyone? http://www.samueljohnson.com/patrioti.html

**oldmarine** · 19-May-10, 17:40

[quote=Anfield;708907]In another thread, oldmarine asked a fellow member about where his patriotism lay.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines a patriot as:
"..a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it.."

Unfortunately it does not clarify from what a patriot is to defend it from

In todays multicultural Britain, to whom does a resident of the UK owe their allegiance to?
To their country of birth
Their new country
Their religion
Other beliefs
{/quote}

My opinion is at least for their new country if they are immigrating from another country. If they are born in Great Britain they should owe allegience to the country of their birth unless they give up their citizenship, then they should owe allegience to their new country. If their country outlaws their religious belief that becomes a difficult choice and they will have to deal with it accordingly. Other beliefs covers too large an area and would have to be dealt with accordingly depending upon how strongly they believed.

The USA is currently dealing with this issue for people pouring across our porous borders. Some of those people don't want to give up their citizenship with their former country and they don't want to accept the responsibilities of new citizenship in the USA. It becomes a sticky wicket.
I served in the armed forces with men & women who enlisted for the purpose of gaining USA citizenship. They proved their worth by doing so and were granted their USA citizenship.

**scotsboy** · 19-May-10, 18:48

Patriotism is inclusive, Nationalism is divisive.

**Anfield** · 19-May-10, 18:52

Originally Posted by The Drunken Duck

What do you think Anfield ?? .. seeing as you posed the question.

My loyalties extend to family, friends and those people & animals who are denied the same basic rights that we take for granted.

**The Drunken Duck** · 19-May-10, 19:15

Fair enough, I was just curious. Strikes me as a bit selfish though.

**Anfield** · 19-May-10, 19:59

Originally Posted by oldmarine

My opinion is at least for their new country if they are immigrating from another country. If they are born in Great Britain they should owe allegience to the country of their birth unless they give up their citizenship, then they should owe allegience to their new country. .

But what about people who are displaced through no fault of their own, or those who find that the country that their parents brought them to, does not fit in with their beliefs, either religious or idealogical?. Whilst in a perfect world it would be fine if these people could relocate but we do not live in this utopia.

Originally Posted by Anfield

My loyalties extend to family, friends and those people & animals who are denied the same basic rights that we take for granted.

Originally Posted by The Drunken Duck

Fair enough, I was just curious. Strikes me as a bit selfish though.

What do you find selfish about my reply?

**Bazeye** · 19-May-10, 21:27

Originally Posted by Anfield

My loyalties extend to family, friends and those people & animals who are denied the same basic rights that we take for granted.

Dont remember that as one of your original options.

**The Drunken Duck** · 19-May-10, 21:51

Originally Posted by Anfield

What do you find selfish about my reply?

Just that it seems to be that you care about your own little circle and that's it.

For me, I have to have something bigger than just my own interests to commit to.

**Anfield** · 19-May-10, 23:08

Originally Posted by Anfield

My loyalties extend to family, friends and those people & animals who are denied the same basic rights that we take for granted.

Originally Posted by Bazeye

Dont remember that as one of your original options.

I am confused. My post about loyalties is reproduced above #9 and also #11. What do you find is different

**Anfield** · 19-May-10, 23:20

Originally Posted by The Drunken Duck

Just that it seems to be that you care about your own little circle and that's it.

For me, I have to have something bigger than just my own interests to commit to.

So are you suggesting that I should add to my list and take up arms to defend all the racists, religious bigots of all denominations, class A drug dealers, children & animal abusers, corrupt business men, corrupt MP's parasitic members of the Windsor family etc etc. and nearly forgot Everton supporters

If you do not mind, I will leave all this crap to you