Quoting ElStudente from 23:25, 14th Mar 2008
To Lonely Pilgrim: I take it by CoS you mean Church of Scotland? The Church of Scotland is presbyterian-there is no input from its clergy in any decision-making process either in Westminster or in Holyrood other than that which might be pracitised by anyone else in this country. This is because the CoS believed in an egalitarian ecclesiastical framework with complete separation of church and state (in both senses which have been mentioned), right from its inception during the reformation around the reign of Mary Queen of Scots. If there is an issue with the separation of church and state, it's not Scotland's. On the issue of definitions of 'church/state separation', I have to say that I'd see separation of church and state as being both institutional and personal, both parliaments and Prime Ministers.
Apologies, then. I had been under the impression that the Church of Scotland shared the same relationship with the state that the Church of England does. Does the CoS not recieve government subsidies?
And, not to offend you (if I do I really do apologise), but you say you live in the Bible Belt. Is it not possible that the context in which you're writing these posts may affect the content, and alter the prism through which you decide your definition of 'blind patriotism'? A level of patriotism and national pride that might seem perfectly acceptable to some of the people you know might seem abhorrent to someone who is used to constantly, cynically and bitterly questioning every system upheld an political decision made in this country (i.e. me).
I'm not offended, at all. Actually I think I made this point, when I pointed out that other people living in other parts of the US could have very different experiences informing their views, and when I questioned the homogenity of the idea of 'American culture'. I'm sure my own life experience influences my views... but remember, I spent four years living in Scotland and travelling around Europe, and I spend a lot more time reading Enlightenment philosophy than I do discussing politics with my neighbours at the local bar. As such, I can report on culture in the Bible Belt, but while I'm undoubtedly influenced by it, I wouldn't consider myself really a part of it.
And at no point have I argued that one shouldn't question authority. Of course one should, and that's as much a part of the 'American Dream' as the white picket fence and 2.5 kids is. I'm curious, because it's come up twice now, what the American Dream is perceived as overseas... I get the distinct impression that it means very different things to me than to you.
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Self-control is the chief element of self-respect; self-respect is the chief element of courage. - Thucydides
Man is free; yet we must not suppose that he is at liberty to do everything he pleases, for he becomes a slave the moment he allows his actions to be ruled by passion. --Giacomo Casanova
