What is a Patriot? (moral, America, Christian, Christ, conservative)

[Reverend Rick]

Please tell me what you think a Patriot is?

[Reverend Rick]

I believe this is truly laughable for RF to have a conservative only forum when we do not seem to have any conservatives. I know there are a few of you out there right?

[vandervalley]

Please tell me what you think a Patriot is?

in simple terms a patriot is someone who does good deeds for his/her country

simple as that

[Luke_17:2]

A patriot, imo, is someone who stands in between his country and the rest of the world, right or wrong. That doesn't mean you can't protest and fight on the home front (for the good of your country), but you must support your country's actions on the international scene.

Well, that's my interpretation.

[Seyorni]

A patriot is one who unquestioningly supports the foreign and domestic policy of whatever political group chances to currently control his natal region.

[vandervalley]

Originally Posted by Seyorni

A patriot is one who unquestioningly supports the foreign and domestic policy of whatever political group chances to currently control his natal region.

I'd think a real patriot thinks about the long term benefits for his/her own country; instead of folowing a president or a party blindly

[Luke_17:2]

Originally Posted by Seyorni

A patriot is one who unquestioningly supports the foreign and domestic policy of whatever political group chances to currently control his natal region.

Absolutely not. What you just described is a subject of a country or government; not a patriotic citizen.

A patriot loves their country, and supports it in the face of foreigners -but a real patriot also fights for the ideals that he thinks best for his country on the home front, whether they be foreing or domestic policy matters, in the face of oppostition notwithstanding.

[Seyorni]

Perhaps I should remove "unquestioningly" from my above definition. But in that case, if a patriot questions or disagrees with government policy yet still supports his country "in the face of foreigners," doesn't that make him a hypocrite?

Weren't the Nazis patriots? Would it have been wrong for a 1930's German citizen to actively oppose his government's policies. Surely that would be unpatriotic, but patriotism is frequently at odds with basic morality and Christian values.

I've always been suspicious of patriotism, myself. Patriotism, ie: 'nationalism lite' , leads to war and foreign exploitation.
Wouldn't it be better to support policies you agreed with while opposing those you disagreed with?

I also find it curious that a person's patriotism always seems to be for the government laying claim to his natal region his region of residence.
I live in Southwestern North America, but disagree with many of the policies of the gang currently controlling the region. Actually, my sentiments are more in line with the administrations of New Zealand or Sweden.
Wouldn't it, then, be right and proper for me to pledge my allegiance to Wellington or Stockholm, rather than Washington?

[Reverend Rick]

If I felt the way some of you do, I would pack up and leave or fight real hard for change. I could not stand to live in a country where I was not represented.

I think there is a current movement for a one world government. I will fight to the death to stop that from happening. Live free or die!

[Seyorni]

"Live free or die!" Isn't that the state motto of New Hampshire? I thought you were from the beautiful state of Kentucky. I hope you're not being unpatriotic...

Seriously, though. I see ominous parallels between current US politics and the politics of Germany in the 1930s. If it were easy to emigrate I would. In the mean time I do actively oppose objectionable policies -- I was tear gassed in an anti Iraq war demonstration.

I'm curious. What are your worries about a one-world government? I can see the potential for despotism, but if you think the same potential doesn't exist in regional governments I you're deluding yourself.