Flag @ Home Depot

[Bear44]

I know it's your opinion and I have no problem with it. It's the need to, unsolicited, dig at a Chrisitian belief is what I was referring to. Three members here can't help themselves and LOOK for opportunities. You've consistently been above that. Your comment had one of their userid's all over it. No biggie, just seemed pretty uncharacteristic.
I agree, Memorial Day is the most sacred SECULAR holiday we recognize. (If you ironically choose to use sacred and secular together that is...).

The only reason I posted it was because that's what really happened. For just a second I did think he was talking about Memorial Day. It really was not meant as a slight against Christianity. I just wish there was just as much effort honoring our fallen as there is Christ. You may not have seen this post I put in another thread.

 

[Bass Akwards]

No blades of grass were bent.

 

[Bear44]

I was simply pointing out that I find it interesting that a symbol carries so much meaning.....sometimes more that what it represents. Isn't this an interesting psychological phenomenon? It is to me. I was drawing a parallel between the offense muslims take at drawing of mohammad, to the offense that some americans take to using the flag as a marketing tool. There are similarities. Neither the drawing, or the flag is in anyway part of what is supposedly sacred. Paper or cloth, that's all it is. It's the value that people put on the symbol that is interesting, and how people react to the treatment of the cloth or paper symbol. It's simply interesting to me.

Don't tell me you've never thought of it in that way.

So, a symbol of something means nothing to you? Cool, let's meet at your bank! I'll take all of those meaningless paper symbols you have off your hands.

 

[Bear44]

I very much appreciate facets of the US, I also realize there are area that are lacking compared to other countries. It's a pretty logical way to observe. Patriotism is akin to "faith" in christianty, and I don't subscribe to the concept at all.

I could not disagree more. Patriotism is based in the real world aspirations and effects of a specific ideology that is designed to promote a certain type of living condition in the lives of those that reside in a country. It is the model of society towards which patriots strive and has nothing to do with the ethereal or any reward achieved in an afterlife. Symbolism is the most common and effective way to express a particular belief system, so patriots are proud of and defensive of those patriotic symbols. That is very appropriate.

 

[Bear44]

I'm secure in myself, and have a love and appreciation for things that is not affected by the opinion of others.

If your "family name" and things you value can be damaged by disparaging opinion, you need a stronger sense of self, and one less tied to the affirmation of strangers.

What about affirmation from your immediate social network? Reputation is very much a part of your ability to interact with those around you. Unless you plane on taking your family to a hermitage somewhere.

 

[strider12]

"Nationalism is an infantile disease. It's the measles of mankind."
-Albert Einstein (1926)

I'll stand with him.

 

[Bear44]

No, you're supposed to crown a winner with undefinable, subjective, and undefined parameters. Then you're supposed to form a never changing opinion and run through the streets screaming it for all to enjoy.

LMAO! This is pure BS. If you are unable to use your intelligence to perceive and judge the world around you, what good is your intelligence at all? I have very strong convictions about many things and that is primarily due to the fact that I HAVE carefully studied the information and nuances concerning the subjects in question. I don't need someone else to set the parameters that my opinion is based on. This also means that if new information is discovered I am able to adjust my beliefs and opinions so my opinions are often changing.

Sorry, but your entire stance on this kind of thing seems to be a cop out.

 

[Bear44]

To me the better place to live is the US, but I don't think the US is the "better" country as you left it undefined.

Why not?

 

[Patronus]

"Nationalism is an infantile disease. It's the measles of mankind."
-Albert Einstein (1926)

I'll stand with him.

Nationalism is the measles....and I guess the atomic bomb was his idea of a vaccination.

 

[strider12]

Joining a tribe.

#1 reason - FEAR.