Americans
play the national anthem at all (including school and amateur) sporting events and any other time they can;
they pledge allegiance to the flag, every day at school;
routinely fly their flag outside their houses;
often require people to swear to uphold the constitution on job applications.
I always found this odd as we don't really push the patriotism thing.
(
An Egg ,D, Wed 18 May 2022, 1:03,
Reply)
I think it's because we have a monarchy.
Whenever we feel the need for some symbol of our national identity all we need to do is imagine Madge sitting on her throne. But, at the same time, we're (generally) not so stupid to advocate blind loyalty to a flesh and blood person these days.
For all that it has been twisted out of shape, the USA was founded on an idea more than anything else, but you can't visibly show support for an idea hence their odd flag worship. I think it's all connected to their belief that the USA really is the best country in the world at everything; it doesn't help that they've never really been brought low on their own soil like most other countries have been (including us).
(
jonbob loves you, Wed 18 May 2022, 3:05,
Reply)
Hard disagree
Just open a tabloid newspaper to find all the flag waving bullshit you could possibly need.
(, Wed 18 May 2022, 7:11, Reply)
We aren't as indoctrinated as they are, obviously.
They are theocratic in some areas too, I couldn't stand that either.
(
FeralCatMan Long ads need comments sections, Wed 18 May 2022, 14:03,
Reply)
it's just as bad here
This jubilee celebration will bring it all to the surface. The schools are told to go to town on that
Then we've got the funeral and the coronation to look forward to. Pretty sure we're in the build up to that at the moment - endless royal documentaries and fawning newspaper coverage already softening us up for a new, ridiculous head of state
(, Wed 18 May 2022, 15:07, Reply)
Depends where you live, Wales is not as keen on monarchy.
Another good reason to be reclusive too.
(
FeralCatMan Long ads need comments sections, Wed 18 May 2022, 19:52,
Reply)
Quite right.
It's strange that a country with an explicit separation between church and state written into its founding documents produces more god-bothering nutcases than one where the head of state is also the titular head of the church.
Maybe there's something about the Anglican branch of christianity that makes its adherents more inclined towards a nice sit-down with tea and biscuits than spouting hateful vitriol on street corners.
(
jonbob loves you, Thu 19 May 2022, 6:06,
Reply)
Churches have lost so much power here due to education.
Education (especially sciences) does tend to make mass delusion more difficult. For proper theocracy, an ignorant/frightened/powerless population who can be persuaded that one version of god will solve their problems (in the next life) is necessary.
Once a critical mass of 'true believers' is obtained, conformity pressures and laws passed make the rest easier.
Anglicanism was very much more coercive than it is now.
(
FeralCatMan Long ads need comments sections, Thu 19 May 2022, 15:39,
Reply)