03 February 2008

Quote for the day

"I don’t believe in God. My god is patriotism. Teach a man to be a good citizen and you have solved the problem of life."

Andrew Carnegie
(found via Atheistic View)

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I find this quote alarming. Blind devotion to anything is always bad.

05 February, 2008 12:49  
Blogger Infidel753 said...

Sigh. Why do some people think that patriotism in all cases has to be "blind"?

05 February, 2008 14:54  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't think patriotism has to be blind. I'm not comfortable, however, with the idea that patriotism should be elevated to god-like status. Generally speaking, gods don't take kindly to scrutiny and criticism. Good citizens need to examine their societies, governments, etc., with clear thinking and be willing to change course when they've erred. Gods don't generally like course changes. Clear-headed patriotism is a great value. Clear-headed patriotism precludes worship of the state.

05 February, 2008 17:02  
Blogger Infidel753 said...

Chaplain, thanks for the clarification. Your first comment actually did sound like you were saying patriotism in general is blind, but I find nothing to disagree with in your second one.

Always remember that patriotism does not at all equate to worship of the government or blind loyalty to it. Some of the best manifestations of patriotism take the form of resistance to one's country's government.

05 February, 2008 19:00  

Post a Comment

<< Home