I’ve never heard a Canadian say, God bless Canada.
We don’t romp around the world or in our neighbourhoods saying we are a ‘christian’ nation.
When we sing the national anthem and the line…’God keep our land’ we understand that for some of us that is Trinitarian, but not for everyone.
Our sense of our own history has declined, and as our border has become more populated we’ve dealt with the same shifts other westernized nations have.
So, most Canadians ‘feel’ Christian.
Interesting poll. Where are we?
Bene,
Tiny Tim said ‘god bless us, each and everyone’.
Is it so arrogant to say ‘God bless America’? I know it may sound exclusive but isn’t America (and of course, Canada) the hope of the world for the last century?
Maybe I’m misreading you, but I heard a political comedian making some remark about what nerve we Americans have for making that prayer (which sounds like a demand).
It’s my own opinion, but I think the prayer “God bless America” isn’t so much nationalistic as idealistic. Remember, for generations now both the USA and Canada have been regarded as a promised land of freedom.
I’ve never heard those words as nationalistic.
It’s a beautiful song with a beautiful sentiment, in my opinion.
“God Bless America” is a prayer for all of man-kind.
I’ve responded to this here.
Hi Jackson.
Good question!
I don’t think saying God bless Canada is any different than saying God bless America, Australia Cambodia, Iraq, Russia et al.
If it is spoken as a ‘God bless us everyone’ I have no problem with that at all.
As for what countries were/are the hope of the world I’ll plead scripture. God sets up kings and kingdoms. In the grand scope of history, tribes,nations and individuals have changed the course of mankind.
I don’t think it’s arrogrant, God will bless who He will and it’s ok to ask. And I pray that we who are blessed bless others.
We Canucks are just different is all.
It’s not my place to judge when that line is crossed from faith and idealism into whatever it is theologicans and politicans call the wrong kind of attitude and position.
My point is that Canadians ‘feeling’ Christian and being Christian aren’t quite the same thing.
As for your point…do you mind if I say this from my heart? May God bless you Jackson!
(PS: I have God Bless America in my music folder, I think it’s a finely crafted piece of music. Is it ok that it’s sung by Celine Dion?:^)
Thank you, Bene. I know I go over the top frequently. You’re always patient.
Nationalism used to strike me as equivelent to Nazism. Perhaps because I was hard of hearing. But now, at age 42, I’ve started to think that nationalism and patriotism might be okey-doke when it comes to America.
Oh, don’t laugh. Please.
Canada, the USA, and England represent the Enlightenment, do they not? Aren’t they all most anxious to accept every creed and color? Aren’t these three countries the most sensative to any criticism about human rights?
When the Jihadists and communists criticize us, aren’t they employing the ideals of the Enlightenment? Ideals which they firmly reject in their own countries?
To my mind, nationalism in favor of our countries is righteous. I’ve come to regard nationalism as a sort of quarentine against the racist, ideological and religious shifting of the old world. Yes, everyone is welcome to come to America but not without some respect for its citizenship, or an understanding of, say, the Bill of Rights.
Is anyone going to object now that we give immigrants a test about American History?
We’re criticized for not living up to our own ideals of freedom and tolerance. Jihadists pose as champions of human rights when it comes to criticising the western world. Arafat dares to call his army the ‘Palestinan Liberation Organization’. Does anyone suppose that John Stuart Mill is one of Arafat’s heroes? Would Arafat create a middle-eastern democracy?
Nationalism is ugly and horrid. That is, unless it’s patriotism from the three enlightened countries: Canada, the USA, and Great Britian.
Then I can appreciate national anthems, and such phrases as ‘God bless America’.
In short: nationalism and patriotism is laudable among the free countries. If fascist dictatorships use such sentiments to further their cause then obviously the twin concepts are evil.
Patriotism cannot be evil in itself. It depends on which country. Right?
If I’m not addressing your original point, Bene, I apologize. I have a sort of trip wire lately, regarding Bush and the USA and patriotism. Natch, I have some knee-jerk ideas about right and wrong and they go directly to my religion.
In some sense I guess my religion must be Republicanism.
Blog on. I love your site, and love to hear from you.
John
Hmmmm. Nationalism and patriotism aren’t something I’ve had to personally wrestle with.
Canada was founded by two great nations, a republic/monarchy and a parliamentary/monarchy.
Both tried to rule the world,and wound up having to find compromises here that our neighbours to the south in the New World didn’t. We’re still working it out.
nationalism: patriotic feeling or principles or efforts; policy of national independence
patriot: one who is devoted to and is ready to defend his country.
I’m not laughing, and please don’t apologize.
I think we need to add a few countries to your list though.
Righteous: of person or conduct, virtuous, law abiding.
The Enlightenment: philosophy of reason and individualism
May I assume some of your questions are rhetorical?
Would any country exist without patriotism?
Hey, maybe its because I’m a Canuck that believes the myth we are a peace-keeping nation that we can have this discussion.:^)
I’m not a member of the Democrats or Republicans and I don’t have to think about who I’m going to vote for next presidental election.:^)
Repubic: A state in which power is held by the people or it’s elected representatives. Not by a monarch etc.
Democracy: A state governed by all the people, direct or representative – a society ignoring hereditary class distinctions and tolerating minority views.
I felt very patriotic today when old-time Oilers and Canadiens took to the ice outdoors today. That is a healthy pride in a national symbol don’t you think?
Bene
I took the liberty of doing a satirical entry about the survey you linked to. I entered into the project with a light-hearted attitude but by the time I printed out a hard copy, went through it with a fine-toothed comb and high-lighted the details of importance, I was perplexed and perhaps even righteously indignant.
The survey says very little that I consider accurate or dependable for reaching any conclusion but it does imply much that went unsaid or defined in a useful sense.
In today’s world, confessing to be “A Christian” doesn’t mean what it once did. What I disliked about the results was when they added “committed” as a qualifier and connected that with living in a common-law relationship. In my own mind, the two just shouldn’t be used in the same sentence.
If we gave Florida back to Spain, would you consider invading and occupying us, and helping us become civilized? I know it’s a thankless job, but…
Oh, well, just a thought.
Miss Poppy
Miss Poppy:
I thought we snowbirds invaded Florida in great numbers over the winter months. :^)