Salamoona everyone,
so, as we discuss who is a hypocrite because he dares to criticize the nation he lives in and who has made the most contributions to what, I can't help but think about the idea of blind patriotism.
I'd like to point out that just because one criticizes a nation, a group, a society etc and points out its flaws it doesn't necessarily imply that one "hates" that nation or is against it and its policies. If I didn't care for a nation and was indifferent towards it, I probably wouldn't bother pointing out its flaws or criticizing it. You don't see me criticizing Ghana and it's educational system, or possibly the lack thereof.
When you associate yourself with some nation, you own it. You say you love Afghanistan, you own it with its victories and failures. When the Afghan society does something wrong (i.e. Bachabaazi), when Afghan officials do something wrong (i.e. corruption), when Afghan individuals do something wrong (i.e. civil wars), when Afghan government does something wrong (i.e. unjust laws) you just don't go around saying "SO WHAT! Look at Congo, they do __________, they have ________, they commit _____, they produce ______, they pass ________! They're bad too! They're much worse than us!"
Their evil does not justify your evil. Their bad habits don't legitimize your bad habits. No, up until now you didn't even care about all the evil going on in other nations, now that something bad happens in the nation you associate yourself with, you bring it up?
This doesn't solely apply to our love and association with Afghanistan. We associate ourselves with the nations we live in as well. And in that aspect, the nations failures and victories affect us even more. If I live in a nation where there is Bachabaazi, corruption, civil wars and unjust laws, am I in a position to nevertheless defend that nation with all its flaws? Or is it my duty, responsibility and utmost assignment to point out those very flaws so that they may be bettered? The latter, no doubt.
Same goes for our 'love' for the UK, the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Pakistan, Iran - whatever country we reside in. If you truly claim to love the country and are truly grateful for it - be an active citizen. Don't practice passive patriotism in which you find reasons to justify the wrong. Find flaws and promote the right.
What do you think?
Discuss.
so, as we discuss who is a hypocrite because he dares to criticize the nation he lives in and who has made the most contributions to what, I can't help but think about the idea of blind patriotism.
I'd like to point out that just because one criticizes a nation, a group, a society etc and points out its flaws it doesn't necessarily imply that one "hates" that nation or is against it and its policies. If I didn't care for a nation and was indifferent towards it, I probably wouldn't bother pointing out its flaws or criticizing it. You don't see me criticizing Ghana and it's educational system, or possibly the lack thereof.
When you associate yourself with some nation, you own it. You say you love Afghanistan, you own it with its victories and failures. When the Afghan society does something wrong (i.e. Bachabaazi), when Afghan officials do something wrong (i.e. corruption), when Afghan individuals do something wrong (i.e. civil wars), when Afghan government does something wrong (i.e. unjust laws) you just don't go around saying "SO WHAT! Look at Congo, they do __________, they have ________, they commit _____, they produce ______, they pass ________! They're bad too! They're much worse than us!"
Their evil does not justify your evil. Their bad habits don't legitimize your bad habits. No, up until now you didn't even care about all the evil going on in other nations, now that something bad happens in the nation you associate yourself with, you bring it up?
This doesn't solely apply to our love and association with Afghanistan. We associate ourselves with the nations we live in as well. And in that aspect, the nations failures and victories affect us even more. If I live in a nation where there is Bachabaazi, corruption, civil wars and unjust laws, am I in a position to nevertheless defend that nation with all its flaws? Or is it my duty, responsibility and utmost assignment to point out those very flaws so that they may be bettered? The latter, no doubt.
Same goes for our 'love' for the UK, the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Pakistan, Iran - whatever country we reside in. If you truly claim to love the country and are truly grateful for it - be an active citizen. Don't practice passive patriotism in which you find reasons to justify the wrong. Find flaws and promote the right.
What do you think?
Discuss.




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